Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in Australia, and the infrastructure used for charging is readily available. But exactly how long does it take to charge an electric car in Australia? Will it be long enough to prepare dinner or for Westlife to produce another album? Let’s find out.
Factors That Impact The Charging Speed Of An Electric Vehicle
Size Of The Electric Car Battery
More electricity is needed to charge an electric car with a larger battery capacity. Thus, it will take time compared to those smaller in size.
Charging Source Output
This is the maximum amount of electricity the AC power outlet or AC/DC charging station device produces. Kilowatts (kW) is the unit of measure for this charging rate.
Battery Temperature
The charging process will take longer if the battery is too cold or hot. The BMS will reduce the power input to protect the battery.
This operates the same way as a phone or a tablet. For example, it will require more time to charge a battery overheated from playing at a best paying site.
Vehicle AC/DC Power Input
All electric car models have different DC charger limitations and AC inbuilt chargers. In other words, this is the fastest possible charging speed under ideal conditions from any charger.
Level Of Charge In A Battery
Because of the increased strain on the battery at increasing percentages, the BMS algorithm gradually reduces the charging current. After 80 to 100 per cent, charging is painfully sluggish, but that’s beyond what most manufacturers recommend for battery health.
Charge times at an ultra-rapid station or DC fast can range from 20 to 60 minutes, based on previously mentioned factors.
What Is Destination Charging?
Most people who drive electric cars charge every time they park, for example, at the mall, gym, or their place of employment. This is known as “destination charging.” It keeps your battery charged while you’re away from home.
For destination charging to function, drivers must connect their vehicles to an outlet whenever they park (around 95 per cent of the time). It is easy to see how moving to an electric car from a gasoline vehicle is possible, as charging stations built at workplaces and publicly in Australia typically offer a charge rate of either 7kW to 22kW, in addition to recharging at home.
The average daily mileage for an electric car is between 20 and 150 kilometres. By conducting a self-analysis, determine how many miles you put on your car daily. This should simplify the selection of an EV, as long-range versions are necessary for any fleet or commercial car, but shorter-range options may suffice in the city.
How Long It Takes To Charge Electric Cars Fully
Let’s look at specific car models and how long they take to charge.
| VEHICLE MODEL | BATTERY | EVSE
Confidence Range |
3.7kW slow | 7kW fast | 22kW fast | 43-50kW rapid | 150kW rapid |
| Tesla Model S Charging (2019) | 75kWh | 383 | 21hrs | 11hrs | 5hrs | 2hrs | 1hr for 300 miles |
| Nissan LEAF Charging (2018) | 40kWh | 230km | 11hrs | 6hrs | 6hrs | 1hr | unavailable |
How Long Can An Electric Vehicle Go Without Being Charged Again?
Many electric car models now on the Australian market have a range of more than 400 kilometres. The following factors will affect your battery life:
- How much stuff you’ve got in your car.
- If you choose to use supplemental equipment for temperature regulation (heating and cooling).
- Method of acceleration and deceleration (regenerative braking is a feature of many electric cars that helps charge the battery when you slow down).
What Emissions Does An Electric Car Emit?
There are zero emissions from an EV’s exhaust system. Since the official emissions test does not include measurement of any tailpipe emissions, the label will read “0.”
The following emissions are, however, possible:
- To power an electric car.
- Build a car and its batteries (this is the case with every car).
- Wear on the tires, brakes, and roads.
How And Where Can I Charge An EV?
Charging an electric car at home using a standard wall outlet can be done, although it may take longer if the battery is low or dead. You can get the most mileage out of your battery and extend its life by charging it 80 per cent as often as possible.
Keeping your battery with at least 20% of the charge and only using fast chargers when required is the best way to keep it in good condition for as long as possible. An upgraded charging outlet can be installed in your home to facilitate rapid charging. You can get these from your car’s maker or an electric car charging gear retailer.
More cities are installing public charging stations to fully recharge an electric car (to 80 per cent) in about 30 minutes. The state and federal, local governments and territory are financing new fast-charging public infrastructure to accommodate electric cars.
Pros Of EVs
The average daily distance driven by Australian drivers is 33 kilometres. With increasing charging stations, electric cars are becoming a practical and attractive option for travelling around town or to famous tourist spots. Among the many advantages are the following:
- Fuel savings and improved performance
- Reduced upkeep
- Fuel safety
- Decreased road noise
- Enhancements to the air quality
- It’s environmentally friendly
These vehicles can get up to 600 kilometres of range in less than eight minutes when using DC chargers, which can supply 50 to 350e kilowatts of electricity. The standard power rating for a residential station is either 7kW (40km/h) or 22kW (120km/h).
Due to electrical supply restrictions in Australian houses, a 7kW charger is used in most household setups. Chargers ranging from 7 kilowatts (kW) to 22 kilowatts (kW) are available, but vehicle capabilities will dictate which one is used; thus, get in touch with the maker of your vehicle.
