Car care · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
It depends mostly on the charger. Here is what the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center and fueleconomy.gov say about Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging times.
About 5 milesof range per hour on Level 1 (120 V)
About 25 milesof range per hour on Level 2 (240 V)
100 to 200+ milesper 30 minutes on DC fast
3 to 12 hoursfor a full recharge
The short answer
Anywhere from under 20 minutes to 20 hours or more. The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) says Level 1 charging from a 120-volt household outlet adds about 5 miles of range per hour, Level 2 charging at 240 volts adds about 25 miles per hour and can charge a typical EV battery overnight, and DC fast charging adds roughly 100 to 200 or more miles of range per 30 minutes. Fueleconomy.gov says fully recharging the battery pack can take 3 to 12 hours, and a fast charge to 80% can take 30 minutes.
Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging compared
How the three charging levels compare, according to the AFDC:
| Level 1 | Level 2 | DC fast charging | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power supply | 120-volt AC plug | 240 volts (typical at home) or 208 volts (typical commercial) | Typically three-phase AC input; outputs up to 500 kW |
| Approximate range added | About 5 miles per hour of charging | About 25 miles per hour of charging | About 100 to 200+ miles per 30 minutes of charging |
| Equipment | Portable cordset that comes with most EVs; plugs into a standard wall outlet | Charging unit, often installed at home; also common at public and workplace stations | Installed stations, often along heavy-traffic corridors |
| Connector | J1772 (J3400 on Tesla vehicles) | J1772 (J3400 on Tesla vehicles) | CCS, CHAdeMO or J3400, depending on the vehicle's charge port |
| Share of U.S. public charging ports (2023) | Less than 1% | Nearly 80% | More than 20% |
From Developing Infrastructure to Charge Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), read November 9, 2026. The AFDC's Level 1 figure assumes 1.9 kW of charging power; a Level 2 unit can range from 2.9 to 19.2 kW, and DC fast charging power varies by vehicle and battery state of charge.
What changes how long charging takes
The AFDC says charging time can range from less than 20 minutes on a DC fast charger to 20 hours or more on a Level 1 charger. It depends on:
- How depleted the battery is (its state of charge).
- How much energy the battery holds (its capacity).
- The type of battery.
- The vehicle's internal charger capacity.
- The type of charging equipment: charging level, charger power output and electrical service.
For a sense of scale, fueleconomy.gov says fully recharging an EV battery pack can take 3 to 12 hours, and even a fast charge to 80% capacity can take 30 minutes. Most EVs can travel more than 100 miles on a charge, and some more than 200 or 400 miles, depending on the model.
From Developing Infrastructure to Charge Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center) and All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov), read November 9, 2026.
Charging at home
The AFDC says most EV drivers, including plug-in hybrid drivers, charge overnight at home with Level 1 or Level 2 equipment. Many are able to meet their daily driving needs by charging overnight on Level 1, with no added installation, as long as a power outlet on a dedicated branch circuit is near where they park. For example, 8 hours of Level 1 charging at 120 volts can replenish about 40 miles of electric range for a mid-size EV.
Level 2 equipment makes sense for drivers with less regular schedules, longer commutes, or EVs with large batteries that need more than overnight to charge fully. The AFDC notes:
- Most residential Level 2 chargers operate at up to 30 amps, delivering 7.2 kW, and need a dedicated 40-amp circuit under the National Electrical Code.
- A qualified electrician can tell you whether your home has enough electrical capacity, and can add circuits if needed.
- Installations must comply with local and state codes, and permits may be required.
- Check your vehicle manufacturer's guidance on charging equipment before you buy.
From Charging Electric Vehicles at Home (Alternative Fuels Data Center) and Developing Infrastructure to Charge Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), read November 9, 2026.
Service at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
Need maintenance or repairs? Schedule service or see our service specials.
Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.
EV charging time FAQ
How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
On a Level 1 cordset at 120 volts, the AFDC says you add about 5 miles of range per hour, so 8 hours adds about 40 miles for a mid-size EV. A Level 2 charger at 240 volts adds about 25 miles per hour and can charge a typical EV battery overnight.
How fast is DC fast charging?
The AFDC says DC fast charging adds roughly 100 to 200 or more miles of range per 30 minutes. Fueleconomy.gov says a fast charge to 80% capacity can take 30 minutes.
How long does a full charge take?
Fueleconomy.gov says fully recharging the battery pack can take 3 to 12 hours. The AFDC says total time can range from under 20 minutes on DC fast charging to 20 hours or more on Level 1.
Can I charge an electric car from a regular outlet?
Yes. Most EVs come with a portable Level 1 cordset that plugs into a standard household outlet. The AFDC says this works if the outlet is on a dedicated branch circuit near where you park.
Can every EV use a Level 2 charger?
The AFDC says all commercially available EVs in the United States can charge with Level 1 and Level 2 equipment. Tesla vehicles use a J3400 port and come with a J1772 adapter.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Shopping for a used car?
Visit us at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin.
Sources
Charging levels and times are from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center and from fueleconomy.gov, the U.S. government fuel economy site administered for the Department of Energy and the EPA, read November 9, 2026. This is general information; your owner's manual is the authority for your vehicle. Our address and service hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is of our dealership.
- Developing Infrastructure to Charge Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), U.S. Department of Energy, read November 9, 2026
- Charging Electric Vehicles at Home (Alternative Fuels Data Center), U.S. Department of Energy, read November 9, 2026
- All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov), U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. EPA, read November 9, 2026
- Home page: address, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, read November 9, 2026
- Service page: service hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, read November 9, 2026