Electric Car Charging Time: Table by Model and Charger Type
The short answer
Charging time depends on the battery capacity, the charger's power and the maximum charge rate the vehicle accepts. On a slow AC charger (3.7–7.4 kW) it takes 7 to 14 hours; on semi-fast AC (11–22 kW), 2.5 to 5 hours; and on fast DC (50–150 kW), 25 minutes to 1 hour to complete the most efficient range (10% to 80%).
One of the first questions from anyone considering an electric car: how long does it take to charge? The answer depends on three factors. Here, we break down each one with practical tables.
The three factors that determine charging time
The time an electric car takes to charge isn't fixed — it varies according to a combination of factors:
- Battery capacity (kWh): The larger the battery, the longer it takes to fill. A BYD Dolphin (44.9 kWh) charges faster than a BMW iX (76.6 kWh), simply because it has fewer kWh to replenish.
- Charger power (kW): The "speed" of charging. A 7 kW charger delivers energy 8 times slower than a 60 kW one.
- The vehicle's maximum charge rate: Each car has a maximum power limit it accepts. If the car accepts at most 50 kW, connecting it to a 150 kW charger won't speed up the charge.
Rule of thumb
Estimated time = Battery capacity (kWh) / Charger power (kW). Example: a 50 kWh battery on a 50 kW charger = ~1 hour. In practice, the charge curve tapers above 80%, so the math is a bit more complex.
Charger types and average time
To understand the times, let's first standardize the three charger types you'll find:
| Type | Power | Where to find it | Time (50 kWh battery) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow AC (Level 1) | 3.7 - 7.4 kW | Home, hotels | 7 to 14 hours |
| Semi-fast AC (Level 2) | 11 - 22 kW | Malls, work | 2.5 to 5 hours |
| Fast DC (Level 3) | 50 - 150 kW | Dedicated charging stations | 25 min to 1 hour |
Charging time table by model
Below are the estimated times for the most popular models in Brazil, considering a charge from 10% to 80% (the most efficient range):
| Model | Battery | 7 kW (AC) | 22 kW (AC) | 60 kW (DC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Dolphin | 44.9 kWh | ~6h | ~2h | ~35 min |
| BYD Dolphin Mini | 38.8 kWh | ~5h | ~1h40 | ~30 min |
| BYD Seal | 82.5 kWh | ~10h | ~3h30 | ~55 min |
| GWM Ora 03 | 48 kWh | ~6h30 | ~2h10 | ~38 min |
| Volvo EX30 | 51 kWh | ~7h | ~2h20 | ~28 min |
| BMW iX1 | 64.7 kWh | ~8h30 | ~3h | ~40 min |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | 78 kWh | ~10h | ~3h30 | ~50 min |
| BYD Yuan Plus (Atto 3) | 60.5 kWh | ~8h | ~2h45 | ~42 min |
| JAC E-JS1 | 30 kWh | ~4h | ~1h20 | ~25 min |
| Porsche Taycan | 93.4 kWh | ~12h | ~4h | ~45 min |
Estimated times for a charge from 10% to 80%. Actual values may vary with ambient temperature, battery state and the vehicle's software version.
Why charging slows down above 80%
If you've ever charged an electric car, you've noticed that 0% to 80% is fast, but 80% to 100% takes almost as long. This isn't a defect — it's protection.
Lithium batteries need slower charging in the final phase to avoid overheating and degradation. It's like filling a glass of water: at first you can open the tap all the way, but in the last few centimeters you have to go slow so it doesn't overflow.
For daily use, charging to 80% is more time-efficient and preserves the long-term health of the battery. Save charging to 100% for before long trips.
Charging time day to day: simpler than it seems
In practice, most electric car owners don't do 0% to 100% charges. The real usage pattern is more like charging your phone:
- At home, overnight: You arrive with 40-50%, plug in before sleeping, wake up with 80-90%. Zero effort.
- At a fast charging station: You stop with 20%, charge for 30-40 minutes while having lunch, leave with 80%. Useful time.
- At the mall/work (AC): You plug in on arrival, pick up the car after 3-4 hours with an almost full charge. You barely notice the time.
The mindset shift needed is to stop thinking about a "refueling stop" and start thinking "the car charges while I do something else".
Factors that affect the real charging time
Some technical details that can alter the table's times:
- Ambient temperature: Batteries charge more slowly below 10 degrees C and above 40 degrees C. In Curitiba, harsh winters can add 10-20% to DC charging time.
- Preconditioning: More advanced models (Volvo, BMW, Porsche) heat the battery automatically when you set the GPS to a charging station, optimizing charging time.
- Battery state of health (SoH): Batteries with significant degradation (below 85% SoH) may accept less power, increasing the time.
- Queue and power sharing: Some charging stations split the power between two cars. If the charger is 120 kW and there are two cars, each gets 60 kW.
The role of the 60 kW charger
60 kW DC chargers are the sweet spot for most electric cars sold in Brazil. Most popular vehicles (BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora, JAC E-JS1) accept at most 60 to 80 kW of DC power. That means a 60 kW charger already delivers close to the maximum speed these cars support.
Chargers of 150 kW or more only make a real difference on premium vehicles (Porsche Taycan, BMW iX) that support those power levels. For the rest, 60 kW is enough for a 20% to 80% charge in under 45 minutes — see in 60 kW vs 80 kW: how much charging time changes why Araquari's 80 kW charger doesn't speed things up that much for these same models.
In practice: see the step-by-step guide to charging at an Elektro Charge point and the Boqueirão charging station, in Curitiba, with 60 kW DC and open 24h.
Try it in practice: 60 kW in Pinhais
Elektro Charge offers 60 kW DC Fast Charging with CCS2. Charge from 20% to 80% while you enjoy the local dining on Av. Maringá.
View on Google Maps →Frequently asked questions
How long does each model take on a 60 kW DC charger?
From 10% to 80%, the estimates are about 25 minutes on the JAC E-JS1, 28 on the Volvo EX30, 30 on the BYD Dolphin Mini, 35 on the Dolphin, 38 on the GWM Ora 03, 40 on the BMW iX1, 42 on the Yuan Plus and 55 on the BYD Seal. The values vary with temperature and the battery's state.
Why does charging slow down above 80%?
Because lithium batteries need slower charging in the final phase, to avoid overheating and degradation. It's not a defect. For daily use, charging to 80% is more time-efficient and preserves the battery; save 100% for before long trips.
Does a more powerful charger always charge faster?
No. Each car has a limit on the power it accepts: if the car accepts at most 50 kW, a 150 kW charger doesn't speed up the charge. Chargers of 150 kW or more only make a real difference on premium vehicles, like the Porsche Taycan and BMW iX.
Do cold and heat change the charging time?
Yes. Below 10 degrees C and above 40 degrees C the battery charges more slowly. In Curitiba, harsh winters can add 10% to 20% to DC charging time. Models with preconditioning heat the battery when you set the GPS to a charging station.
Do two cars on the same charger split the power?
Some charging stations split it. That's the case in Boqueirão, whose 60 kW DC has two CCS2 connectors that share the power: with two cars plugged in at the same time, about 30 kW for each.
