The short answer#
Home charging is designed for overnight top-ups, not full charges. A 7 kW home charger typically adds roughly 40–50 km of range per hour, which covers most daily driving in a few hours. A full charge takes much longer, and it is not something you do every day.
The time depends on four things: the car's onboard charger, the charger's power, the supply and the battery's state of charge.
The four things that set the time#
1. The car's onboard charger#
The charger is inside the car. The wall unit is EVSE — supply equipment — and it can only deliver what the car accepts on AC. A 22 kW charger does not speed up a car limited to 7 kW. The onboard charger is the ceiling.
2. The charger and supply#
A dedicated 7 kW charger on a suitable circuit delivers its rated power. A portable charger on a 10 A socket delivers about 2.3 kW. The supply and the circuit set the upper bound.
3. The battery size and starting state#
A bigger battery takes longer to fill, and charging from 20% to 80% is faster than the last 20%, because the car tapers the rate to protect the battery.
4. The charging curve#
EV charging is not linear. The rate is high in the middle and tapers toward the top. That is why overnight charging is designed to top up, not to fill from empty every day.
Charging times compared#
| Method | Power | Range added per hour | Full charge (large battery) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable charger on a socket | About 2.3 kW | Roughly 10–15 km | 24+ hours |
| 7 kW home charger | 7 kW | Roughly 40–50 km | 8–12 hours |
| 11 kW home charger | 11 kW | Roughly 60–70 km | 6–9 hours |
| 22 kW home charger | 22 kW | Roughly 120–150 km | 3–5 hours |
These are illustrative. The real time depends on the car's onboard limit, the battery size and the starting state of charge.
Why you rarely need a full charge#
Most Australians drive 30–50 km a day. A 7 kW charger recovers that in an hour. Even a busy week of 300 km is covered in about six hours of charging.
A full charge is for road trips, and that is where public DC fast charging earns its place. Home charging covers the daily pattern, not the exceptional one.
How to plan charging#
- Estimate your daily kilometres.
- Pick a charger that recovers that in a couple of hours overnight.
- Set a charge limit — around 80% for daily use, 100% when you need the range.
- Schedule charging for the off-peak or solar window.
- Leave the car plugged in; it stops automatically at the limit.
A dedicated charger on a suitable circuit is the safe daily setup. Our installation cost guide covers the electrical side.
Bottom line#
Home charging is about topping up, not filling from empty. A 7 kW charger covers most daily driving in a couple of hours overnight, and the car and charger manage the process automatically. Match the charger to the car's AC limit and your daily distance, then schedule it for the cheapest hours.
For the fundamentals, see the home charging guide.
Straight answers
Questions people ask about this
How long does it take to charge an EV at home?
It depends on the charger and the car. A 7 kW home charger commonly adds roughly 40–50 km of range per hour, so most daily driving is covered in a few hours overnight. A portable charger on a normal socket adds roughly 10–15 km per hour, which can take a full day or more.
How long does it take to charge an EV from 0 to 100% at home?
A full charge at 7 kW takes many hours — often 8 to 12 or more for a large battery — which is why home charging is designed for overnight top-ups rather than full charges. The car's onboard charger and the battery size set the real time.
Is it faster to charge at home or public?
Public DC fast charging is much faster, adding hundreds of kilometres per hour, but home AC charging is cheaper and more convenient for daily use. Home charging is the default for daily driving; public charging is for trips and top-ups.
Can I leave my EV plugged in overnight?
Yes. Modern EVs and chargers manage the charging automatically, and the car stops when it reaches the set limit. Leaving it plugged in is the intended daily pattern and is safe with a properly installed charger.
Sources and further reading
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