How long do I have to plug in my car?

Owning an electric vehicle (EV) means recharging the car's battery regularly to maintain fuel efficiency . Whether you keep your car plugged in overnight before your morning commute or need to refuel in the middle of the day, ensuring you have enough battery is essential.

The realities of recharging your EV

Unlike a quick five-minute stop at the gas station, it can take much longer for you to charge electric vehicle batteries. Plugging in your car at the right time ensures you don't get stranded on the road, especially since you can't make a pit stop at the nearest gas station or carry extra fuel in your trunk.

Statistica reports that by 2029, the Canadian market for electric vehicles is anticipated to grow to a sales volume of over 254,500 units, demonstrating an explosive increase in demand amongst consumers, with the average cost of an electric vehicle being $73,000.

If you're in the market for a new car and are wondering whether an electric car is worth it, we've outlined all you need to know about car batteries and charging needs below.

Factors that affect charging time

EV charging times can vary based on several factors, including the following:

Battery capacity

All electric car brands and models have different battery capacities. Vehicles like the Rivian R1T, Tesla Model X, and GMC Sierra EV have larger batteries than cars like the Hyundai Kona. Naturally, larger batteries take longer to charge than smaller ones.

For example, a 40 kWh battery typically takes 6 to 8 hours to charge using a Level 2 charger, while a 100 kWh battery may take anywhere between 12 and 14 hours.

Charger type

Different types of electric car chargers impact how much charge you get and how fast your car charges. Level 1 chargers, or home chargers, which plug into a standard 120V plug-in, can take up to 24 hours to charge a vehicle. Most people plug in their car overnight and wake up to a fully charged battery.

In contrast, level 2 chargers, which plug into a 240V electrical outlet, can reduce charging times to between two hours and four hours. Lastly, DC fast chargers offer some of the fastest charging times and are capable of charging most electric vehicles in under an hour.

Cold weather temperatures

The winter months are cold in Canada. A cold day where the temperature dips below freezing can impact your charging time as the battery will need to warm up before it can take a charge.

Engine block heater

If you need to charge your car battery in the winter, we recommend plugging it into an engine block heater. An engine block heater warms the battery to ensure it does not suffer any damage and ensures that you can charge your car in extreme cold weather periods.

Using a block heater timer, you can program it to automatically turn on and warm your car battery, so you don't have to physically plug and unplug your car in once you're at home.

Comparing at-home charging and public charging methods

Based on a survey of 16,041 EV drivers in Canada, 71% of BEV owners in single-family residences utilize Level 2 home charging stations, whereas 14% use Level 1 charging. According to Electrical Autonomy, Canada had more than 27,000 public EV chargers as of March 2024, a 33% increase from the year before. Do drivers need to use both methods to charge their car battery? We will explore both options below:

Home charging stations

Below is a breakdown of home charging station types:

• Level 1 (120V): 20-40 hours for a full vehicle charge
• Level 2 (240V): Four to ten hours for a full vehicle charge
• Ontario Solar Installers states that for every 100 kilometres driven, charging an electric vehicle (EV) at home usually costs about $4, which averages out to an additional $50 per month on your electricity bill in Ontario. However, costs can vary depending on your location.

Public charging stations

The main types of public charging stations are:

• Level 2: Four hours to eight hours for a full charge
• DC Fast Charger: 20-60 minutes for an 80% charge
• Costs: The costs for public plug-in stations will be higher and vary by region.

Best practices for efficient car charges

Maximizing efficiency when charging your EV can extend battery life and save money:

Keep your battery between 20 and 80%

Avoid charging to 100% unless necessary to preserve battery health. Keeping the charge within this recommended range can help you reduce strain on the battery cells and maintain long-term performance levels.

Use scheduled charging

Many smart chargers allow you to program charging times during off-peak hours to reduce your power bill for the month. For example, if you live in Ontario, you can plug in your car between 7 pm and 7 am to reduce costs.

Use a block heater timer

As we mentioned, an engine block heater, commonly used to keep a car engine warm, can also help maintain optimal battery temperature in the winter months. In contrast, during the summertime, when temperatures can increase significantly, park your car in a shaded area to prevent your battery from overheating.

Can I charge my EV in the rain?

Yes, all EV chargers are designed to be weatherproof, allowing motorists to charge their vehicles safely in all types of weather conditions.

Will using a fast charging block frequently damage my battery?

The more you charge your engine, the more strain you're putting on it. To prevent the accelerated degradation of your car battery, only use DC fast chargers if absolutely needed.

How do I know if my charger is working efficiently?

You should be able to monitor your charging times through your dashboard or on the actual charger itself. Any changes in charging times could indicate there is a problem with your battery or charger. Make sure to get a vehicle inspection to double-check.

Get car insurance with BrokerLink

There are numerous good things about EVs. From fewer harmful emissions in the environment to fewer maintenance requirements, given fewer moving parts and the absence of an engine. With EV technology advancing quickly, there are numerous reliable electric cars on the market today.

At BrokerLink, we help Canadians purchase affordable electric vehicle insurance. With access to numerous car insurance policies from some of Canada's top providers, our brokers can help you shop around, unlock discounts, and acquire the following policies:

• Car insurance in Toronto
• Collision car coverage
• Comprehensive car coverage
• Accident forgiveness
• Liability car insurance

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