The speed of charging an electric vehicle is a concern for many people. Generally, when an electric vehicle is sold, a reference charging time is provided. However, the actual charging time can vary significantly due to factors such as the charging method, the model and battery capacity of the electric vehicle, weather, temperature, and the state of the battery. Therefore, the real charging time of the vehicle can change accordingly. Generally speaking, estimating charging efficiency based on the power of the charger is the most reliable. Thus, it can be said that different charging equipment determines different charging times for the vehicle.
There are three main types of charging equipment: Level 1 chargers (portable EV chargers), Level 2 chargers (AC charging stations), and fast chargers (DC charging stations).
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Portable EV Chargers
Portable EV chargers are the simplest way to charge, using a standard household outlet. This method is convenient but has limited efficiency, with most chargers providing only 3.5 kilowatts of power. It takes 8 to 20 hours to fully charge the vehicle. Portable EV chargers are suitable for those who do not drive a lot, can charge the car over the weekend, or have a low frequency of car use and can leave the car charging for an extended period.
AC Charging Stations
AC charging stations are more professional charging equipment that cannot be directly connected to the household grid and require special installation. They are usually installed in parking lots or private garages. This charging method has higher power, reaching 7 kilowatts or 11 kilowatts, several times that of portable EV chargers, and can fully charge the car in 4 to 8 hours. AC charging stations are suitable for those who drive daily or want to charge faster at home or other private locations, often used as private home charging stations.
DC Charging Stations
DC charging is the fastest charging method, using a different DC charging mode for high-power charging. In this mode, the output power of a DC charging station can reach several hundred kilowatts, hundreds of times higher than the other two methods, reducing the charging time to within 20 minutes to 1 hour. Fast chargers are suitable for those who urgently need to charge on the road or during long-distance travel, but they are bulky, have high installation requirements, and are costly, making them difficult to install privately. They are commonly found at public charging stations.
Considering the needs and convenience of most electric vehicle users, AC charging stations are the most widely used and suitable charging equipment for ordinary new energy vehicle owners. On one hand, they have sufficient power to meet daily charging needs. On the other hand, their size and installation conditions are moderate, making them ideal for use as home charging equipment. The most concerning issues of charging speed and time can be addressed by using the car during the day and charging it at night, which aligns well with the characteristics of home charging stations, making full use of the car's idle time to charge it for 4 to 8 hours overnight.
