EV Charging Cost & Time Calculator

Energy, cost and time to charge an EV from the battery size, charge levels, charger power and electricity price.
Cost & Time

Charging Session

Energy = Battery × (SoCend − SoCstart)  •  Cost = Energy/η × Price  •  Time = Energy / (Power × η)
60kWh, 20→80%, 7.4kW
60kWh, DC 50kW
40kWh, 3.3kW
kWh
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%
kW
/kWh
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Enter values and press Calculate.

How Charging Cost & Time Are Worked Out

The energy added to the pack is the battery size times the change in state of charge. Because charging is not perfectly efficient, the grid must supply a little more — energy drawn = energy added / efficiency — and you pay for that grid energy at your electricity price. The time is the energy added divided by the effective charging power (charger power times efficiency). Fast DC charging usually slows down above about 80% SoC, so real times past 80% are longer than this linear estimate.

QuantityFormula
Energy addedE = Battery × (SoCend − SoCstart)/100
Energy from gridEgrid = E / η
CostCost = Egrid × Price per kWh
Timet = E / (Power × η)

Home AC charging is typically 3.3–7.4 kW (single phase) or up to 11–22 kW (three phase); public DC fast chargers range from 50 kW to 350 kW. Enter the price in your own currency — the cost result is in the same currency.

Real-World Applications & Examples

Worked examples

1. 60 kWh, 20→80%, home 7.4 kW. Energy=60×0.6=36 kWh. Grid=36/0.9=40 kWh. At 8/kWh cost=320. Time=36/(7.4×0.9)=5.4 h.
2. Same on DC 50 kW. Time=36/(50×0.92)≈0.78 h (~47 min) — but real DC tapers above 80%.
3. Small 40 kWh car, 3.3 kW. 20→80% adds 24 kWh; time=24/(3.3×0.9)≈8.1 h — ideal for overnight.
4. Cost per km. Example 1 adds 36 kWh usable; at 160 Wh/km that is 225 km, so 320/225=1.42 per km.
5. Off-peak saving. Charging at 5/kWh instead of 8 cuts Example 1 from 320 to 200 — a 37% saving for the same charge.
6. Full charge from empty. 60 kWh from 0→100% draws 60/0.9=66.7 kWh from the grid; at 8/kWh that is 533.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the cost to charge an EV?

Find the energy added (battery kWh × the change in state of charge), divide by the charging efficiency to get the grid energy, then multiply by your price per kWh: Cost = Battery×ΔSoC/η × Price.

How do I calculate EV charging time?

Divide the energy you need to add by the effective charging power (charger power × efficiency): t = Energy / (Power×η). Adding 36 kWh at 7.4 kW and 90% takes about 5.4 hours.

Why does the grid energy exceed the energy added?

Charging loses a few percent as heat in the charger, cables and battery. If efficiency is 90%, you draw about 1.11 kWh from the grid for every 1 kWh that reaches the battery, and you pay for the grid figure.

What charging efficiency should I use?

Home AC charging is typically 85–92% efficient; DC fast charging is often 90–95%. Use around 90% as a reasonable default if you do not have a measured value.

Why is charging slower above 80%?

To protect the cells, the charger reduces power as the battery fills, especially on DC fast chargers. So the last 20% can take as long as the first 60%, and this linear estimate understates the time past 80%.

How much does a home charge cost?

It depends on your battery size, how much you add, and your electricity price. As a rule, cost = kWh added / efficiency × price. Charging on an off-peak tariff can roughly halve the cost.

What is the difference between AC and DC charging?

AC (home/destination) charging uses the car's onboard charger and is slower (3–22 kW). DC fast charging bypasses it to deliver 50–350 kW directly to the battery, charging much faster but usually at a higher price.

How do I find cost per kilometre?

Divide the charging cost by the range it provides. If a charge costs a certain amount and gives, say, 225 km, the cost per km is that amount divided by 225.

Does a bigger charger always charge faster?

Only up to the car's onboard charger limit for AC, or the battery's accepted rate for DC. A 22 kW wall box will not charge faster than a car whose onboard charger is limited to 7.4 kW.

How much does it cost to fully charge from empty?

Take the full battery size, divide by efficiency, and multiply by the price. A 60 kWh battery at 90% efficiency draws about 66.7 kWh from the grid.

Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a station?

Home charging on a standard or off-peak tariff is almost always cheaper per kWh than public DC fast charging, which carries a premium for the speed and infrastructure.

Does temperature affect charging cost and time?

Yes. In cold weather the car may heat the battery before and during charging, which uses extra energy and can slow the charge, raising both the time and the effective cost.

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