Your EV charging speed is affected by many factors, including the type of charger you are using, the power output of the charger, the temperature of the battery, the age and condition of the battery, and the vehicle’s onboard charging system.
Another critical factor is the power architecture of your battery, with 800v architcture offering significant imporvements in charge speeds over 400 volts.
The presence of other loads on the same circuit can also reduce the charging speed as the circuit may not be able to provide the full power output.
For example, if you plug into a single rapid charger with two connections, your charge rate might drop when both connections are in use.
Finally, the composition of the power grid can affect charging speed. If the grid is overloaded with other demand, charging will be slower.
Join us as we explore these EV charging speed factors in more detail below.
Factors that affect EV charge speeds
The type of charger you are using
The type of charger you are using will have the biggest impact on how quickly you can charge your EV.
A Level 2 home charger can provide up to 7.4 kW of power output on a single-phase supply, while a DC fast charger can provide over 300kW if your EV will take it.
Related post: Why is my electric car charging slowly?
If you are using a Level 2 charger, you will experience slower charge times compared to a DC fast charger. A charge from 10-90% at 7.4kW usually takes around 7 hours.
The temperature of the battery
The temperature of the battery has a significant impact on the charging speed.
When the battery is cold, the cells will draw less current and the charge speed will be slower. This is why it’s important to pre-heat or pre-cool your battery before charging.
You can expect your EV to charge up to 20% slower when temperatures drop below 8 degrees Celsius.
The age and condition of the battery
The age and condition of the battery will also affect the charging speed.
As batteries get older, their capacity and efficiency will decrease, and this will result in slower charge speeds.
This is why it’s important to maintain your battery in good condition and to replace it if it’s getting too old.
The vehicle’s onboard charging system
The onboard charging system of the EV also affects your maximum charging speed.
Some EV models have more advanced charging systems that allow for faster charging rates. It is typical for today’s electric cars to charge at 50kW to 150kW.
Make sure to check the specifications of your EV’s onboard charging system to find out the maximum power output it can support.
Power architecture of the battery
The power architecture of the battery is another important factor. Batteries with 800v architecture can offer significant improvements in charging speeds. This is because the cells can draw more current, allowing for faster charging.
Presence of other loads on the same circuit
The presence of other loads on the same circuit can reduce the charging speed as the circuit may not be able to provide the full power output.
Related post: How fast can EV charging get?
For example, if you plug into a single rapid charger with two connections, your charge rate might drop when both connections are in use.
Power grid composition
The composition of the power grid doesn’t play a role in charging speeds fort most people, but it can also affect charging speeds.
If the grid is overloaded with other demand, charging will be slower because the charger will dial down the available current from the grid, or the power balancing device will do the same job.
Overall, there are many factors that can affect your EV charging speed, from the type of charger you are using to the temperature of the battery.
If you enjoyed this post, discover how to choose an EV home charger in 2023.
