Zapmap published an updated version of its guide to electric car charging times on 15 April 2026, credited to Nic Ryan1. The guide sets out typical charging durations by charger power rating and lists the factors that change them, including the vehicle's maximum charging rate, its charging curve, ambient temperature, charger power modules, simultaneous charging and the car's voltage platform1.
For ultra-rapid chargers of 150kW and above, the guide states that many newer models go from 20% to 80% in 20 to 30 minutes1. Chargers rated 3kW, 5kW or 7kW generally take six to 12 hours to reach 20% to 80% or above, and the guide describes these as suited to overnight charging, often found on residential streets as a replacement for home chargers1. A 22kW charger is given as taking one to two to six hours for the same window in one passage, and a few hours in another1.
Two worked examples show how the car, not the charger, can set the limit. A Kia EV6 Long Range has a maximum DC rate of 235kW and a maximum AC rate of 11kW; on an ultra-rapid charger it takes about 16 minutes from 20% to 80%, giving roughly 25 to 200 miles of range, while a 22kW AC charger takes around eight hours for the same window, and an 11kW charger takes about the same because the car cannot use the higher capacity1. A Nissan LEAF has a maximum DC rate of 46kW and a maximum AC rate of 6.6kW; on a 50kW DC charger it takes about 43 minutes from 20% to 80%, roughly 14 to 116 miles, and a standard 7kW home charger takes about seven hours from 0% to 100%1. Zapmap notes that LEAF charging speed and range depend on the variant, as battery capacities differ1.
| Charger | Typical time, 20% to 80% |
|---|---|
| 150kW and above (ultra-rapid) | 20 to 30 minutes for many newer models1 |
| 22kW AC | A few hours; one passage gives one to two to six hours1 |
| 3kW, 5kW or 7kW | Six to 12 hours1 |
On temperature, the guide states the ideal battery temperature for charging is around 25 degrees Celsius, and that colder conditions lower the charging current and effective battery capacity, so range falls too1. It also notes that public charge points range from 3kW to 400kW+, that en-route points at motorway services generally run from 50kW to 350kW, and that destination charging is typically AC at 7kW to 22kW1. Cars on 400V platforms typically support charging up to around 150kW, while some 800V models support rates up to 350kW1.
"Public charge points can be either AC or DC, and vary in power rating from 3kW to 400kW+."
Why it matters for households
Charging time is the practical constraint on running an electric car from a home supply. The guide's figures show that a home charger in the 3kW to 7kW band, which includes the EV charging speeds and times most households would install, needs six to 12 hours for a 20% to 80% top-up, which fits an overnight window rather than a daytime one1. Where a car's on-board AC charger is limited, as with the 6.6kW LEAF example, a higher-rated home unit does not shorten the session1. Cold weather extends it further and reduces range at the same time1. The guide does not report how these times interact with time-of-use tariffs or with the smart charge point regulations, and no cost figures for home charging appear in it1.
What happens next
No further update date or revision schedule for the charging times guide is given1. Zapmap's separate model charging guides page carries an update date of 20 April 20264.