A recent study conducted by Energetics, analyzing 2.4 million electric vehicle (EV) charging sessions over a three-year period until June 30, 2023, reveals that the average fast-charging session at non-Tesla chargers takes approximately 42 minutes. The study, endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy, also notes that free public charging sessions last even longer, averaging around 1 hour and 18 minutes, almost twice the time of paid sessions.
Compared to the quick pit stops familiar to gasoline users, where refueling takes only a few minutes and covers significant mileage due to high energy density, EV batteries require considerably more time to achieve a similar range. However, fast chargers remain the swiftest option for public EV charging, often strategically placed along highway corridors for convenience. In contrast, Level 2 chargers, which are slower and take several hours to charge a battery, are commonly used at home, work, or during routine activities like shopping or dining.
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The study excludes Tesla’s Superchargers, considered the industry’s top performers, with an average charging time of 31 minutes when combined with all fast chargers, including Teslas. Notably, the average charging time for non-Tesla fast chargers increased from approximately 36 minutes in June to nearly 40 minutes in December of the same year, as reported by EVSession.
Several factors contribute to the lengthening of charging times, including improved charging station amenities, larger EV batteries, and colder weather that slows down the charging process, according to Bill Ferro, founder of EVSession.
Despite the current challenges, the EV landscape is evolving rapidly, with over 50 new EV models expected to launch in the coming year, accompanied by an increase in high-power charging infrastructure nationwide. Charging analyst and CEO of consulting firm EVAdoption, Loren McDonald, predicts a future reduction in average charging times, suggesting a potential decrease of around 10 minutes per session. However, McDonald acknowledges that widespread acceleration in charging speed will take years, estimating an improvement to around 20 minutes on average within the next five to seven years. This, he believes, would be a more acceptable timeframe for prospective EV users compared to the current 40-minute average, making electric vehicles more appealing to a broader audience.
