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Charging speeds

This article outlines things that affect the speed at which you can charge your vehicle.

Charger types

There are two main types of charger on the Chargefox platform:

  • AC chargers have a 7 to 22kW capacity and are often called 'slow' or 'trickle' chargers because of this limited capacity
  • DC chargers have a between 24 and 360kW of capacity and called 'fast', 'rapid' and 'ultra-rapid' because of this larger capacity

The charging capacity of each charging location is displayed in the 'Station details' drawer in the Chargefox app. If there are multiple chargers at a station, the app displays the largest capacity available ('up to'):
 

In the map, you can tell the capacities of each station at a glance by the type of pin:

 

   'Standard' chargers (AC): 7-22kW

   'Fast' chargers (DC): 24-250kW+

  'Ultra rapid' chargers (DC): 350kW+ 


How long will it take to charge my EV? 

It depends. At an average EV energy consumption of 20kWh per 100km, a 350kW ultra rapid charger can deliver up to 450km of range in about 15 minutes.

You may not always want to charge at the fastest station available, however. If you're planning to be somewhere for a while - such as shopping, dining, or working - a slower charge station might be more convenient and cost-effective. Some charge stations impose idle fees if you're plugged in but not charging.

Things that may the impact your 'rate of charge'

The rate of charge on a DC electric vehicle charger (25kW capacity and above) is impacted by several factors, including:

  1. Power availability: The overall amount of power available at the charging station can affect charging speed. If the station is shared by multiple vehicles, charging speeds can slow due to power limitations
  2. State of Charge (battery percentage): Typically starting a session from a lower 'state of charge', e.g. a battery that is 10% full. will result in a higher rate of charge. The rate of charge typically tails off as the session progresses, and will decrease significantly at and above an 80% 'state of charge'. This is to protect the battery
  3. Temperature: Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect charging speed. Battery charging is slower in cold temperatures
  4. Battery age: As batteries age, their charging efficiency decreases, which can result in slower charging times
  5. Vehicle capacity: Some vehicles can charge faster because they allow more energy to flow through to the battery. Check your vehicle's manual for more information.

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