EV Charge Time & Cost Estimator
Calculate electric vehicle charging time and cost for any charger type. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Formula
Charge Time = (Battery × (Target% - Current%) / Efficiency) / Charger Power
Energy needed is battery capacity times charge percentage difference, adjusted for charging efficiency losses, then divided by charger power (kW) for time in hours.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Daily Commute Charge
Problem: Tesla Model 3 (75 kWh), charge from 30% to 80% on Level 2 (7.2kW) at home, $0.11/kWh, 4.0 mi/kWh efficiency.
Solution: Charge needed: 75 × (80-30)% = 37.5 kWh\nWith 90% efficiency: 37.5 / 0.9 = 41.7 kWh\n\nTime: 41.7 / 7.2 = 5.8 hours\nCost: 41.7 × $0.11 = $4.59\n\nMiles added: 37.5 × 4.0 = 150 miles\nCost/mile: $0.11 / 4.0 = $0.028\n\nGas equivalent (30 MPG, $3.50): $17.50\nSavings: $12.91 (74%)
Result: 5.8 hours | $4.59 | 150 miles | 74% savings vs gas
Example 2: Road Trip DC Fast Charge
Problem: Ford Mustang Mach-E (88 kWh), 15% to 80% at Electrify America (150kW), $0.43/kWh, 3.0 mi/kWh.
Solution: Charge needed: 88 × (80-15)% = 57.2 kWh\nWith 85% DC efficiency: 57.2 / 0.85 = 67.3 kWh\n\nTime: 67.3 / 150 = 0.45 hours = 27 minutes\nCost: 67.3 × $0.43 = $28.94\n\nMiles added: 57.2 × 3.0 = 172 miles\nCost/mile: $28.94 / 172 = $0.17\n\nNote: DC fast is 5x more expensive than home\nbut necessary for road trips
Result: 27 minutes | $28.94 | 172 miles | Convenience premium
Example 3: Overnight Full Charge
Problem: Chevy Bolt (66 kWh), 10% to 100% on Level 2 (11kW), time-of-use rate $0.08/kWh (11pm-6am), 4.0 mi/kWh.
Solution: Charge needed: 66 × 90% = 59.4 kWh\nWith 92% efficiency: 59.4 / 0.92 = 64.6 kWh\n\nTime: 64.6 / 11 = 5.9 hours\nCost: 64.6 × $0.08 = $5.17\n\nMiles added: 59.4 × 4.0 = 238 miles\nCost/100 miles: $5.17 / 2.38 = $2.17\n\nTime-of-use savings vs flat rate ($0.14):\nFlat: 64.6 × $0.14 = $9.04\nSavings: $3.87 (43%)
Result: 5.9 hours | $5.17 | 238 miles | TOU saves 43%
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to charge an EV?
Varies by charger: Level 1 (120V): 8-24 hours for full charge. Level 2 (240V): 4-8 hours. DC Fast: 20-60 minutes to 80%. Superchargers: 15-30 minutes to 80%. Battery size and starting charge level affect time significantly.
How much does it cost to charge an EV?
Home charging: $0.10-0.20/kWh = $8-15 for full charge. Public Level 2: $0.20-0.35/kWh. DC Fast: $0.30-0.50/kWh. Superchargers: $0.25-0.40/kWh. A typical 300-mile charge costs $10-20 at home, $25-45 at DC fast chargers.
Should I charge every night?
Not necessarily. Unlike phones, EV batteries prefer staying between 20-80%. Charge when convenient or when below 30%. Plugging in nightly is fine if you set a charge limit (80% for daily, 100% for trips).
How do I calculate EV cost per mile?
Formula: Electricity rate ($/kWh) ÷ Efficiency (miles/kWh) = $/mile. Example: $0.12/kWh ÷ 3.5 mi/kWh = $0.034/mile. Compare to gas: $3.50/gal ÷ 30 MPG = $0.117/mile.
Can I use EV Charge Time & Cost Estimator on a mobile device?
Yes. All calculators on NovaCalculator are fully responsive and work on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The layout adapts automatically to your screen size.
What inputs do I need to use EV Charge Time & Cost Estimator accurately?
Each field is labelled with the required unit (metric or imperial). Gather your source values before starting — for example, a weight measurement in kilograms, a distance in metres, or a dollar amount — and enter them exactly as measured. The formula section on this page lists every variable and explains what each represents.