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EV charging times and home charging
Most people charge overnight at home. Rapid chargers are for longer journeys and cost more.
Typical charging times
| Charger | Power | Typical time for a 60 kWh battery (about 10 to 80%) |
|---|---|---|
| Three-pin socket | About 2.3 kW | About 18 hours. Stop-gap only |
| Home wallbox | 7 kW | About 6 to 7 hours |
| Rapid DC (car limits apply) | 50 to 150 kW | About 20 to 70 minutes, depending on what the car can accept |
A 7 kW wallbox adds roughly 25 to 30 miles of range per hour. Rapid charging slows as the battery fills and in cold weather. Use our charge-time calculator for a specific car; see the fastest-charging cars in our list.
Home charging
- A 7 kW wallbox installed by a qualified electrician is the usual choice.
- A smart or EV tariff that charges overnight can cut costs a lot compared with a standard tariff.
- Flat owners and renters should ask the landlord or management company. Grants for flats and renters may be available: check GOV.UK.
No driveway?
Options include public on-street chargers, workplace charging and local rapid chargers. Charging away from home costs more, so a full hybrid can suit better if you cannot charge regularly.
Connectors
UK electric cars use Type 2 for AC charging and CCS for DC rapid charging. A few older cars, such as early Nissan Leaf models, use CHAdeMO.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
At home, a 7 kW wallbox adds roughly 25 to 30 miles of range per hour, so most cars fill overnight. At a public rapid charger, a car that can accept 100 kW or more often adds 10 to 80 percent in 20 to 40 minutes; slower-charging cars take longer. Our charge-time calculator gives an estimate for your battery and charger.
Do I need a home charger?
Not strictly, but it is the cheapest and most convenient way to charge. You can use a three-pin socket slowly as a stop-gap. For a wallbox, use a qualified installer. Grants may be available for flat owners and renters, so check GOV.UK for current schemes.
Can I own an EV if I have no driveway?
Yes, but plan carefully. Options include public on-street chargers, workplace charging, local rapid chargers and, in some areas, kerbside or lamp-post chargers. Charging away from home costs more. If you cannot charge regularly, a full hybrid may suit you better than an EV or plug-in hybrid.
How much does it cost to charge an EV?
It varies by tariff and where you charge. Overnight charging at home on an EV or time-of-use tariff is usually far cheaper than a standard tariff, and public rapid charging is typically several times the cost of overnight home charging. Use our running-cost calculator with your own prices.
Related
- Pure EV vs hybrid vs plug-in hybrid
- How long do EV batteries last?
- Fastest-charging electric cars
- Electric Car Grant and EV tax in the UK
Keep going
Answer a few questions to get a shortlist that fits how you drive, or ask EVBot about any car, battery or grant.
Figures compiled September 2026 from published UK sources and are approximate. Page reviewed 2026-09-20. General information, not financial, legal or technical advice.