CHARGING TIME · CHECKED 22 OCTOBER 2026
How long will your charge take?
A 60 kWh usable battery going from 20% to 80% needs 36 kWh. At an average 7 kW into the battery, the ideal time is 5 hours 9 minutes.
These are editable example assumptions, with no particular car attached. Check your vehicle manual for usable capacity and charging guidance.
IDEAL TIME AT YOUR AVERAGE POWER
5 hr 9 min
36 kWh to add
60 kWh usable battery, 20% to 80%, at 7 kW average power into the battery.
The working
Energy to add (kWh) = usable capacity × (target % − starting %) ÷ 100
Ideal time (hours) = energy to add ÷ average power into the battery
For the example: 60 × (80 − 20) ÷ 100 = 36 kWh. Then 36 ÷ 7 = 5.14 hours. Time rounds to the nearest minute; the calculation keeps full precision.
Why the real session can take longer
The result assumes your average power is sustained over the session. It excludes time waiting, connecting and starting a session. If you enter power measured at the plug, the result also excludes charging losses and the car’s other electricity use.
Charging speed depends on the charger, vehicle limit, battery charge level and temperature. DC power usually falls as the battery fills, so a peak DC rating cannot promise a 10% to 80% time. Use an observed session average or the manufacturer’s published time for the same conditions. See the Australian Government charging equipment guide and Tesla’s explanation of variable charging speed.
Choose the power your car can use
For AC charging, check both your vehicle’s onboard charger and the installed supply. A higher charger label does not mean your car can accept that power. The Tesla Australian charging table, for example, distinguishes single-phase and three-phase output and vehicle limits. Your battery’s recommended daily target also depends on the vehicle; follow its manual.
Compare home charger costs and quote inclusions, or calculate the electricity cost of your driving.