EV Charging Time & Cost Calculator
Estimate how long it takes to charge any electric vehicle and how much it will cost — based on real battery specs and charger types.
Calculator
How EV Charging Math Works
energyNeeded = batteryCapacity × (targetPct − currentPct) ÷ 100
time = energyNeeded ÷ chargerPower
cost = energyNeeded × electricityRate
- 1 Determine your battery's usable capacity in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is often around 80–90% of the gross battery size.
- 2 Measure your current state of charge (SoC) and decide your target charge level — most daily driving is fine at 80% to preserve battery health.
- 3 Calculate the energy deficit: the percentage difference multiplied by the battery capacity gives you the kWh you need to add.
- 4 Divide the energy needed by the charger's power output to get charging time in hours. Real-world times may be slightly higher due to charging curves and thermal overhead.
- 5 Multiply the energy needed by your electricity rate ($/kWh) to find the total cost. For cost per 100 miles, divide 100 by your vehicle's efficiency (miles/kWh) and multiply by the rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EV charging time and costs.
Charging time depends on your battery size, current charge level, and charger power. A Level 1 charger (120V) adds about 3-5 miles per hour, so a full charge for a 75 kWh battery from 20% to 80% takes about 30 hours. Level 2 (240V) cuts that to 6-8 hours, and DC fast charging can do it in 30-60 minutes.
Level 1 uses a standard 120V household outlet and delivers 1.2-1.8 kW. Level 2 uses 240V and delivers 3.3-19.2 kW, ideal for home charging. DC fast charging (50-350 kW) bypasses the car's onboard charger for rapid charging at public stations.
At the US average rate of $0.13/kWh, charging a 75 kWh EV battery from 20% to 80% costs about $5.85. This tool calculates exact cost using your local electricity rate and shows cost per 100 miles for easy comparison with gas vehicles.
Most manufacturers recommend charging to 80-90% for daily driving. Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when kept at full charge. Only charge to 100% for long trips to maximize battery lifespan.