Charging speed estimator

Charging time depends on two main factors: the power of the charger (kW) and the maximum charging speed your vehicle can accept. This tool helps you visualize how long a typical charging session will take for your car.

Interactive Charging Speed Estimator

The total usable capacity of your vehicle's battery. (e.g. 40, 60, or 77).
Select a common charger speed or enter a custom value.
Used to calculate miles added. Typically 3.0 to 4.5.

Common Charging Speeds

1. Slow: 3-pin Plug (2.3kW)

Charging from a standard domestic socket.

  • Miles per hour: ~8 miles.
  • Best for: Emergency use or plug-in hybrids with small batteries.

2. Fast: Home Wallbox (7kW)

The standard installation for UK homes.

  • Miles per hour: ~25-30 miles.
  • Best for: Overnight charging. A typical 60kWh battery will go from 10% to 100% in about 8-9 hours.

3. Rapid: Public Charger (50kW)

Found at supermarkets and car parks.

  • Miles per hour: ~175 miles.
  • Best for: A quick top-up while shopping. 20% to 80% takes about 45-60 minutes.

4. Ultra-Rapid: Hubs (150kW - 350kW)

Found at motorway service stations.

  • Miles per hour: ~500+ miles.
  • Best for: Long-distance journeys. 20% to 80% can take as little as 15-20 minutes in a compatible car.

The Charging Curve

Note: Charging speed is not constant. EVs charge much faster when the battery is nearly empty and slow down significantly once the battery reaches 80% to protect the cells from overheating. This is why rapid charging is usually quoted for the “10% to 80%” window.

Factors that Slow Down Charging

  • Cold Weather: A cold battery cannot accept high power. Most modern EVs will “pre-condition” (warm up) the battery if you program a rapid charger into the sat-nav.
  • Shared Power: Some public chargers share their power between two sockets. If another car is charging, your speed may be halved.
  • On-board Charger: While a public charger might offer 350kW, if your car is limited to 50kW, you will only charge at 50kW.

[Launch the Charging Speed Estimator (Placeholder)]

Our tool allows you to select your vehicle model and see an estimated charging timeline for different charger types.