How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car at Home?
06 October 2026 | Energy prices, tariffs and regulations change, so figures here are a guide and not a quote.
It depends on three things: your car's battery size, the power of your charger and how much charge you need. For most drivers on a 7 kW home charger, an overnight charge is more than enough.
As a rough guide, here is a 60 kWh battery going from 10% to 80% (about 42 kWh):
| Charging method | Power | Approx. time | Miles added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 3-pin socket | About 2.3 kW | 18+ hours | About 7 to 8 |
| Home wallbox (single phase) | 7 kW | 6 to 7 hours | About 20 to 25 |
| Three-phase wallbox | 11 kW or more | 4 to 5 hours | About 30 to 40 |
Times are approximate and include normal charging losses. Your car must be able to accept the power offered, which many cars do not on AC charging. Check your handbook.
A 3-pin socket is fine for occasional use but is not designed for regular daily charging. A dedicated, properly installed charger is safer and much faster.
Why 7 kW is the sweet spot
Most UK homes have a single-phase supply, which limits home charging to about 7 kW. That is plenty. A car plugged in overnight is usually full by morning, and most daily drives only need a couple of hours of top-up.
What can slow charging down
- Your car's onboard charger may accept less power than the wallbox offers
- Cold weather makes batteries charge more slowly
- Smart chargers may delay charging until cheaper off-peak hours
- Charging slows as the battery nears 100%
Practical tip
You rarely need to think in hours. Plug in when you get home and let a smart charger work around your tariff. Many manufacturers suggest charging to around 80% for daily use, as it is gentler on the battery than regularly charging to 100%. Check your car's guidance.
Bottom line: a 7 kW home charger covers almost every household's daily needs, and a smart charger takes care of the timing for you.
Ready to talk it through?
We will check your supply, parking position and cable route and recommend the right charger.
Book a free EV charger assessmentOr call 01787 321155 or email info@altavision.co.uk
Last reviewed: 06 October 2026 | Energy prices, tariffs and regulations change, so figures here are a guide and not a quote.