How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car at an Airport?
As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, more and more businesses are installing EV charging stations for their customers and employees. This includes a variety of businesses such as airports, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and office buildings.
Overall, the installation of charging stations at businesses is a trend that will continue as the EV market grows and more people begin to adopt these types of vehicles. So, how long does it take to charge an electric car at an airport?
Charging levels for electric vehicles (EVs)
There are three primary levels of electric vehicle (EV) charging, which are determined by the amount of power delivered to the EV’s battery, as outlined by NeoCharge. The levels are as follows:
Level 1 charging: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, this is the slowest type of charging and is typically used for home charging after work and overnight. Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt household outlet and delivers a charging speed of about 4-5 miles per hour.
Level 2 charging: This is a faster type of charging and is often used at public charging stations, such as those found at airports, parking garages, and other commercial locations. Level 2 charging uses a 240-volt outlet and delivers an average charging speed of about 25 miles per hour.
Level 3 charging, also known as DC fast charging, is the fastest type of charging currently available. Level 3 charging stations deliver a charging speed of about 3-15 miles per minute, depending on the make and model of the EV. These charging stations are not as common as Level 1 and Level 2 stations and require specialized equipment and installation.
Tesla Superchargers are a type of Level 3 charging station specifically designed for use with Tesla electric vehicles. According to EV Town, Tesla Superchargers are known for their high charging speeds, reaching up to 200 miles per hour for certain Tesla models. There are over 21,000 Tesla Superchargers located around the world, with the majority of them in North America and Europe.
How long does it take to charge your EV at an airport?
Most dedicated EV charging stations at businesses, such as airports, use either Level 2 or Level 3 charging equipment. These types of charging stations are typically more powerful than Level 1 charging, which is accessible through standard outlets.
To calculate approximately how long it will take to charge your EV at a charging station, you can divide the battery capacity of your EV by the charge rate of the station. For example, if you have a Kia Niro EV with a battery capacity of 64.8 kWh and use a Level 2 charging station with a charge rate of 6.5 kW, it will take about 10 hours to charge the battery from 0 to 100%. However, an EV is likely never plugged in when completely empty, so you’ll have to factor in your current battery percentage.
It’s important to note that this is just a rough estimate, and the actual charging time may vary based on many factors, such as the age and condition of the battery, the charging history of the battery, and the ambient temperature. Some charging stations also have time limits or other restrictions that may affect the charging time.
Airports plan to add more EV charging stations
As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to grow, more and more airports are adding EV charging locations for travelers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also provided $20.4 million in subsidies for electric charging stations at airports across the country for the same purpose.
To find out if your local airport has EV charging locations, you can use a phone app such as PlugShare. PlugShare is a popular app that allows you to search for EV charging stations in your area and see the types of stations available, the charging speeds, and any applicable fees. PlugShare and other apps also allow you to filter your search by charging network and see user reviews and ratings of the charging stations.
