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): 24-99kW
'Ultra rapid' chargers (DC): 100kW+
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.
Understanding charging speed
We've made it easier to see a station's advertised and expected charging speed. Just tap the question mark next to the charging speed to open a window with more detail.
Inside, you'll find the charging speeds drivers have experienced over the past 7 days, the general factors that can lower your speed, and an indicator for when a station is shared. A shared station (usually a DC station) splits its capacity across the vehicles charging on it, so the speed you receive may drop when several vehicles charge at the same time.
Experienced charging speed
The same window shows you the maximum charging speed drivers have experienced at that particular station over the last 7 days. You can see how the station has performed across the week and how that compares to its advertised speed. We need at least 5 successful sessions on a station to show this.
It's currently available on Chargefox-hosted stations only.
Live Charging Speed
As well as helping you know what to expect before you plug in, we now show your live charging speed while you charge (where data is available). You'll find it on your charging screen and on the charging banner on the map. It updates roughly every minute and is available for Chargefox-hosted DC stations only.
Other factors that can affect your charging speed
The charging speed, or rate of charge, on a DC charger (25 kW and above) depends on a few things:
- Power availability (shared speed): The total power available at a station affects your speed. Where a station is shared across multiple vehicles, speeds can slow due to those power limits.
- State of charge (battery percentage): Starting a session from a lower state of charge, say a battery sitting at 10%, usually gives you a higher rate of charge. The rate tends to tail off as the session goes on, and drops noticeably at and above 80% to protect the battery.
- Temperature: Extreme heat or cold can both affect charging speed. Charging is slower in cold conditions.
- Battery age: As a vehicle battery ages, its charging efficiency drops, which can mean slower charging.
- Vehicle capability: Some vehicles charge faster because they accept more power. Check your vehicle's manual for its maximum charge rate.