How Long Does Level 2 Charging Take?

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity, understanding how they charge—and how long it takes—is becoming essential for both current and prospective EV owners. Whether you’re planning your daily commute, a weekend getaway, or simply curious about the practical side of EV ownership, charging time is a key factor that affects convenience and usability. Among the three main levels of EV charging, Level 2 charging strikes the ideal balance between speed and accessibility. In this guide, we’ll explore the average time it takes to recharge your EV, and the various factors that can influence that duration.

Factors Affecting Level 2 Charging Time

Battery Size (Capacity in kWh)

One of the most significant factors that determines how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle using a Level 2 charger is the size of the battery. EV batteries are measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and larger batteries naturally take longer to charge. For example, a compact EV with a 40 kWh battery will charge more quickly than a larger SUV with a 77 kWh or 100 kWh battery.

Think of battery size as the size of a fuel tank. The larger the tank, the more electricity it needs to be “full,” and thus the more time it will require even at the same charging speed.

State of Charge at Start

Charging time also depends heavily on how depleted the battery is at the start of the session. If you’re only topping up from 50% to 80%, the process will be much quicker than charging from 10% all the way to 100%.

Additionally, charging from 80% to 100% usually slows down considerably due to battery management systems that protect the battery from overheating and overcharging. This tapering process can add noticeable time to what seems like a small percentage increase.

Onboard Charger Capacity

Each electric vehicle is equipped with an onboard charger that converts the AC electricity from Level 2 stations into DC power for the battery. The power rating of this onboard charger can be a bottleneck in the charging process.

For example, if your Level 2 charging station is capable of delivering 11 kW but your car’s onboard charger can only handle 7.2 kW, you will only charge at 7.2 kW regardless of the charger’s capability. Different EV models support different maximum charging rates, so it’s essential to know your vehicle’s limit.

Charging Station Output

Level 2 chargers come in various amperage levels, typically ranging from 16 amps to 80 amps. Higher-amp chargers can deliver more power, assuming the car can accept it. A 32-amp charger might deliver 7.7 kW, while a 40-amp unit might go up to 9.6 kW.

If you’re using a lower-powered home charger, your vehicle may charge more slowly even if it’s capable of faster rates. Similarly, public chargers may vary in output based on their installation, with commercial-grade ones typically offering higher power levels.

Environmental Conditions

Temperature plays an often-overlooked role in EV charging time. Batteries are most efficient when operating within an optimal temperature range. In very cold conditions, charging can take longer because the battery needs to be warmed up before accepting a full charge rate.

Some vehicles have thermal management systems to precondition the battery, but this can also consume energy and slightly increase the overall time required to reach a full charge. Conversely, extremely hot weather may also trigger thermal controls that reduce charging speed to prevent overheating.

Vehicle Software and Battery Management System

Each EV’s battery management system (BMS) has its own logic for regulating charging speeds, temperature control, and safety. These systems determine how fast the car can charge under different conditions and may dynamically adjust the rate during a session.

Additionally, software updates or smart charging features may influence charging duration—such as delaying charging to off-peak hours or limiting charge rate to preserve battery health.

Average Charging Time for Level 2

General Rule of Thumb

On average, Level 2 charging adds about 20 to 30 miles of range per hour of charging. In terms of total time, this usually translates to about 4 to 10 hours to fully charge an EV, depending on the battery size and the power output of the charger. This makes Level 2 ideal for overnight home charging or long parking periods at workplaces and public charging stations.

For a typical EV with a 60 kWh battery and a charger that provides 7.2 kW of power, a full charge from near empty would take approximately 8 to 9 hours. However, most EV drivers don’t let their battery drop to 0%, so regular charging sessions are usually shorter.

Examples for Common EV Models

To provide more context, here are estimated Level 2 charging times for some popular electric vehicles:

Nissan Leaf (40 kWh battery)
The standard Nissan Leaf battery can be charged in approximately 5 to 6 hours using a 7.2 kW Level 2 charger. For the larger 62 kWh version, expect closer to 8 to 9 hours.

Tesla Model 3 (Standard Range Plus – 54 kWh battery)
This model charges in about 7 to 8 hours using a Level 2 home charger. The Long Range version with a larger battery (around 75–82 kWh) may take up to 10 hours if charging from nearly empty.

Ford Mustang Mach-E (70–91 kWh battery)
Charging time varies based on battery size and trim. On a typical 9.6 kW Level 2 charger, the Mach-E can charge fully in 8 to 11 hours depending on the configuration.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 (77.4 kWh battery)
Using a Level 2 charger at 10.9 kW (the vehicle’s onboard charger limit), the Ioniq 5 can go from 10% to 100% in approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Partial vs Full Charging

It’s important to note that in everyday use, EV owners rarely need to charge their vehicle from 0% to 100%. Most drivers only recharge enough to reach 80% or top off after daily driving, significantly reducing the time needed. For instance, charging from 30% to 80% might take only 2 to 4 hours depending on the vehicle and charger.

Many EVs also allow you to schedule charging sessions or stop charging at a set battery level (such as 80%) to extend battery longevity, which naturally shortens charging times.

Use Cases for Level 2 Charging

Level 2 is particularly suitable for:

Home charging overnight, when vehicles are parked for long hours.
Workplace charging, allowing top-ups during the day.
Public destination chargers, like shopping centers or hotels, where drivers may stay for several hours.

How to Estimate Your Level 2 Charging Time

Understanding the Basic Formula

Estimating how long it will take to charge your EV with a Level 2 charger can be done using a simple formula:

Charging Time (hours) = Battery Capacity (kWh) ÷ Charging Power (kW)

This equation gives you a rough idea of how many hours it will take to fully charge the battery from empty to 100%. Keep in mind this is a theoretical estimate and actual times may vary due to efficiency losses, battery management systems, and tapering at higher charge levels.

Step-by-Step Example

Let’s say you have a car with a 60 kWh battery and a Level 2 charger that delivers 7.2 kW:

Charging Time = 60 kWh ÷ 7.2 kW = approximately 8.3 hours

This means it would take a little over 8 hours to charge the battery from 0% to 100%. If you’re only charging from 30% to 80% (which is 30% of the total battery), the time would be about:

(60 kWh × 0.30) ÷ 7.2 kW = 2.5 hours

This is much more common in real-world scenarios, where drivers regularly top off instead of charging from empty.

Accounting for Efficiency Loss

It’s important to factor in charging efficiency, which typically ranges from 85% to 95%. Some energy is lost as heat during the conversion process, especially if the ambient temperature is extreme or the battery is being actively managed.

To adjust for this, you can modify the formula slightly:

Charging Time = (Battery Capacity ÷ Charging Power) ÷ Efficiency

For example, with a 60 kWh battery, a 7.2 kW charger, and 90% efficiency:

Charging Time = (60 ÷ 7.2) ÷ 0.90 ≈ 9.3 hours

This adjustment gives a more realistic estimate of how long your EV will actually take to charge.

How to Find Your Charging Power

To use the formula correctly, you’ll need to know your charger’s output in kilowatts (kW). You can usually find this in your charger’s documentation or specifications. You can also calculate it manually using this formula:

Charging Power (kW) = Voltage (V) × Current (Amps) ÷ 1,000

So if you have a 240V charger rated at 30 amps:

240 × 30 ÷ 1,000 = 7.2 kW

However, if your vehicle’s onboard charger is the limiting factor (e.g., only accepts up to 6.6 kW), then you should use that value instead.

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