How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Car?

Are you interested in purchasing an electric vehicle but wonder, “How long does it take to charge an electric car?” Charging an electric vehicle in Denver or anywhere else depends on the type of charging station you utilize. There are four charging options available, some of which are public. Learn how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle per battery charging possibility with BMW of Loveland today. Our dealership in Loveland includes an electric car inventory to help drivers throughout the region save on gas costs and reduce carbon emissions. 

Electric Car Charging Options in Boulder 

• Level 1 Charging: Domestic 110V/120V Outlet

Your new EV will come with a Level 1 charger. Most drivers keep this in the vehicle as a backup, rather than using it as a sole charging method. Level 1 chargers provide an estimated four miles of range per charging hour.

• Installed Brand-Approved Level 2 Domestic Charging

Level 2 (240V+) chargers must be professionally installed and can charge your EV much faster than Level 1 chargers. Level 2 chargers provide an estimated 24 miles of range per charging hour.

• Level 2 Public Charging

Level 2 public charging stations are more and more common around Boulder and Fort Collins, and provide similar charging speeds to Level 2 home chargers. You can often find them at major retailers like Walgreens, Kohl’s, and Whole Foods, as well as at universities, hotels, and parking garages.

• Level 3 Rapid Charging

Some public chargers offer 150 kW rapid charging and can power up your EV faster than any other charging method. However, they’re usually only available along major highways and freeways and cannot be installed at home. Level 3 chargers provide up to 60 to 100 miles of range per twenty minutes of charging.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Car Charging Time

Do you drive a plug-in hybrid? If so, your charging times could be significantly shorter. Typically, these vehicles take between 1 to 4 hours to fully charge. Why is this? Plug-in hybrids don’t rely solely on electricity and use electric power and gasoline. Often, they operate on electric power for short distances or at lower speeds before switching to gasoline.

Typical Public Charging Electric Car Charging Time

So, how long is a fully electric car charging time? Most home chargers provide 3.7 kW or 7 kW charging. In contrast, public stations offer more powerful options: 22 kW charging, 43-50 kW rapid charging, and 150 kW rapid charging. Depending on your vehicle, you could achieve a full charge (0-100%) in about an hour with this charging option. Alternatively, it might take 4, 6, or even 11 hours to fully charge your vehicle, depending on the charging method and battery capacity.

Find Your Electric Vehicle Near Fort Collins

How long does it take to charge an electric car? Now you know! Are you ready to browse our electric vehicle inventory and start the financing or leasing process? Do you have any questions about charging an electric vehicle? Call 970-292-5725 or contact us online today to request a test drive appointment and get your questions answered. We also suggest browsing our latest EV special offers and learning more about EV advantages.