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How long EV charging really takes: Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast

© speedme.ru
Learn how long EV charging really takes at home and on the road: Level 1 trickle, Level 2 home stations, and DC fast. Tips to cut wait times and charge to 80%.
Michael Powers, Editor

For drivers just getting acquainted with EVs, the biggest worry is that charging supposedly takes too long. In practice, it works differently: speed hinges on the type of charger and what a specific car can handle. According to expert Dmitry Novikov in an interview with 32CARS.RU, most electric cars are charged at home overnight, while on the highway it typically takes about 20–30 minutes to reach 80%.

The simplest option is a regular household outlet. It adds roughly 30–150 km of range overnight and suits those with light daily mileage or who top up wherever they find a socket. The go-to solution for most owners is a Level 2 home station. Delivering 7–11 kW, it refills the battery by morning—essentially a plug-in-and-forget routine that mirrors how people actually use their cars.

The quickest are Level 3 DC fast chargers. Modern models like the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 reach 80% in about 20–30 minutes. New electric flagships such as the Porsche Cayenne Electric cut that to roughly 16 minutes. It’s worth remembering that charging slows after 80%, and peak power comes when the battery is warmed up—navigation systems prep it automatically on the way to a charger. In day-to-day driving, that rhythm removes the drama from timing and range.

The bottom line is straightforward: install a home charger, understand your EV’s limits, and use rapid charging when it’s actually needed. Do that, and an electric car turns into an easy, everyday companion, with charging becoming just another routine you barely notice.