Introduction – The Types of Chargers Affect Charging Time
Charging infrastructure has improved considerably in the last 13 years. In the early days of EVs the most common way to charge was through a standard 120-volt outlet, which took many hours. A faster way to charge an electric car is by using a Level 2 240-volt charger which takes only 9 hours to charge an average EV. See our table below for accurate estimates that take in account each car type. Confused about 7.2kW? We have a handy guide below to teach you what it means.
Here we present our calculations for 7.2kW charging times.
7.2kW Charging Times For Top Selling EVs in US
| Manufacturer | Model | Battery Size | 7.2 kW charge time to full | 7.2 kW charge time to 30 miles |
| Tesla | Model Y | 82 kWh | 11 hours, 24 min | 60.5 min |
| Tesla | Model 3 | 60 kWh | 8 hours, 18 min | 48.5 min |
| Ford | Mustang Mach E | 70 kWh | 9 hours, 42 min | 115.9 min |
| Chevrolet | Bolt | 66 kWh | 9 hours, 12 min | 68.8 min |
| Volkswagen | ID.4 | 55 kWh | 7 hours, 36 min | 63.6 min |
| Nissan | Leaf | 40 kWh | 5 hours, 36 min | 56.1 min |
| Audi | e-tron quattro | 71 kWh | 9 hours, 54 min | 83.3 min |
| Porsche | Taycan | 79 kWh | 11 hours | 73.3 min |
| Tesla | Model S | 95 kWh | 13 hours, 12 min | 67.9 min |
| Hyundai | Kona Electric 39 kWh | 42 kWh | 5 hours, 48 min | 55.1 min |
7.2kW Charging Times For Top Selling EVs in Europe
We also created the same chart of 7.2 kW charging time for the top 10 selling EVs in Europe because the popular cars are different. Instead of the Audi and Porsche in the US, smaller and more efficient cars made the car for the European Top 10, perhaps speaking to government support of efficient or social consciousness.
| Manufacturer | Model | Battery Size | 7.2 kW charge time to full | 7.2 kW charge time to 30 miles |
| Tesla | Model 3 | 60 kWh | 8.3 hours | 48.5 min |
| Renault | Zoe ZE50 R110 | 52 kWh | 7.2 hours | 52.7 min |
| Volkswagen | ID.3 | 62 kWh | 8.6 hours | 58.2 min |
| Volkswagen | ID.4 | 55 kWh | 7.6 hours | 63.6 min |
| Kia | Niro | 68 kWh | 9.4 hours | 58.7 min |
| Fiat | 500e | 42 kWh | 5.8 hours | 50.8 min |
| Skoda | Enyaq | 82 kWh | 11.4 hours | 61.4 min |
| Hyundai | Kona Electric 39 kWh | 42 kWh | 5.8 hours | 55.1 min |
| Peugeot | e-208 | 50 kWh | 6.9 hours | 55.6 min |
| Volkswagen | e-Up! | 37 kWh | 5.1 hours | 57.1 min |
Explanation: 7.2kW Charging Time
In our table we calculated the 7.2 kW charging time for the top 10 selling EVs in the US and Europe. The calculations take into account the size of the battery. We also calculated the time it takes to charge up to 30 miles of range.
The amount of electricity needed for 30 miles of range is different for each car because of differences in efficiencies. The lowest efficiency car in the top 10 is the Ford Mustang Mach E which is a truck.
The most efficient car is the Tesla Model 3. We didn’t provide numbers of every option of the model, because that would be difficult and confusing and not so useful because the differences in those numbers from the table below would get overwhelmed by real world uncertainties.
Instead we used numbers for the most “standard” option.
Explanation Of Charging Terminology – What Does 7.2kW Mean?
The term 7.2kW might confuse people so let’s explain this. In the context of electric vehicle (EV) charging, there are typically three levels to consider.
| Level | Alternative Names | AC/DC | Voltage (U.S.) | Power Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | “Standard Household Charging” | AC | 120 volts | Up to 1.9 kW |
| Level 2 | “7.2 kW Charging” (common) | AC | 240 volts | Up to 19.2 kW |
| Level 3 | “DC Fast Charging”, “Supercharging” (Tesla), CHAdeMO, CCS | DC | 480+ volts | 50 kW to 350+ kW |
Level 1, also referred to as “Standard Household Charging”, is the most basic level, using a standard household outlet (120 volts in the U.S.) and offering up to 1.9 kW of power.
Level 2, often referred to as “7.2 kW Charging”, uses a 240-volt source (like an electric dryer or oven in the U.S.) and offers power up to 19.2 kW. However, a common charging rate for Level 2 chargers is 7.2 kW. This level of charging provides significantly faster charging than Level 1 and is typically achieved with a dedicated charging station, either public or installed at a home.
Level 3, known as “DC Fast Charging” or “Supercharging” (in Tesla’s case), uses a 480+ volts source and can offer power from 50 kW to over 350 kW. This level offers the fastest charging speeds and is typically found at dedicated public charging stations. However, not all EVs can utilize this level of charging, and even those that can might require special adapters.
- Level 1: This is typically the charging level achieved with a standard household outlet. It’s the slowest form of charging.
- Level 2: This level is typically achieved with a dedicated charging station, either public or installed at a home. It provides significantly faster charging than Level 1. “7.2 kW Charging” is a common term used to describe a typical Level 2 charger.
- Level 3/DC Fast Charging: This is the fastest form of charging currently available, typically found at dedicated public charging stations. Not all EVs can use this level of charging, and even those that can may require special adapters.
7.2 kW Charging Time Factors
7.2 kW charging time will depend on the size of the battery in your electric vehicle. For example, a smaller battery will charge faster than a larger battery. This is because a smaller battery will have less stored energy that needs to be replenished. In addition, the 7.2 kW charging time also depends on the type of charger you are using.
A Level 1 charger, the slowest charger, will take much longer to charge a 7.2 kWh battery than a Level 2 or Level 3 charger. Finally, the 7.2 kW charging time to a specific range or mileage will vary depending on the efficiency of your electric vehicle.
Efficient vehicles will travel further on a smaller charge. Large EV trucks for example are less efficient, like the popular Ford Mach E. Therefore, it is important to consult your owner’s manual to determine your electric vehicle’s specific 7.2 kW charging time.
How Much Range Do You Get Per Hour Of Charging For 7.2 KW?
As we mentioned, the range charged by the 7.2 kW charger will vary depending on your car. At Level 1 charging, 120 volts and 15 amps will charge your car at about 2-5 miles per hour. This is the equivalent of plugging your car into a standard outlet in your home.
A level 2 charge, 240 volts and 30-40 amps, will charge your car at about 10-20 miles per hour. This is the equivalent of using a public charger or installing a home charger.
A level 3 charge, which is 480 volts and 100-250 amps, will charge your car at about 50-100 miles per hour. This is the equivalent of using a high-speed charger at a public charging station. The time it takes to charge your car will depend on the size of your battery and the type of charger you use.
If you’re talking about how far you can drive on a full charge, the answer will vary depending on factors like your vehicle’s efficiency and the terrain you’re driving on.
In general, you can expect to get about 100 miles of range from a full charge with a 7.2kW charger. So, there you have it! How much range you get per hour of charging for 7.2 kW depends on what you’re looking for.
Whether you need power for a long road trip or just want to be able to top off your battery quickly, there’s a solution out there for you. Now all that’s left to do is figure out which one is right for you!
Three Factors Affect 7.2 kW Chargers Charging Speed
When charging an electric vehicle, the 3 main factors determining the speed are:
- The power output of the charging station (e.g., 7.2 kW)
- The car’s onboard charging capabilities (i.e., how fast it can accept a charge)
- The size of the battery
All of these factors play a role in determining how fast a 7.2 kW charger will charge. By considering all of these factors, you can ensure that your charger charges as quickly as possible.
Summary
In conclusion, no single answer is how much range you get per hour of charging for 7.2 kW. The answer depends on various factors, from the battery size to the onboard charging capabilities.
