EV Charging Cost and Time Calculator
Work out how much energy an electric vehicle's battery takes from one charge level to another, how much electricity that draws from the grid after charging losses, what it costs at your price per kWh in any currency, and how long it takes at the charger's power. Add a second price, for example a public charger, to compare.
An estimate: the time assumes the charger delivers its full power the whole time. Real charging slows as the battery fills, most of all above about 80%, so the real time is longer than shown.
- Charging cost · in your currency
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- Charging cost at the second price · in your currency
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- Charging time at constant power (at least)
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- Energy added to the battery
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- Energy drawn from the grid
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- Energy lost in charging
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Estimate Checked 3 November 2026Tested: 10 casesSources: US DOE and EPA, US DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center
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Assumptions (3)
- The charger delivers its full power the whole time; real charging slows as the battery fills, so the time is a lower estimate.
- Charging losses are the efficiency you enter (90% by default, from the US DOE and EPA estimate of 10% lost).
- One price per kWh for the whole charge; time-of-use rates, session fees and parking fees are not included.
Show working
- Energy added to the battery (kWh) = battery capacity × (target % − starting %) ÷ 100
- Energy drawn from the grid (kWh) = energy added ÷ (charging efficiency ÷ 100)
- Cost = energy drawn from the grid × price per kWh
- Time at constant power (hours) = energy drawn from the grid ÷ charger power in kW
Worked example
A 60 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% on a 7.2 kW home charger at 0.20 per kWh.
| You enter | |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 60 kWh |
| Starting charge | 20 % |
| Target charge | 80 % |
| Charger power | 7.2 kW |
| Charging efficiency | 90 % |
| Electricity price per kWh | 0.2 |
| You get | |
| Charging cost | 8.00 |
| Charging time at constant power (at least) | 5 h 33 min |
| Energy added to the battery | 36 kWh |
| Energy drawn from the grid | 40 kWh |
| Energy lost in charging | 4 kWh |
Charging from 20% to 80% adds 36 kWh to the battery and draws 40 kWh from the grid, costing 8.00. At 7.2 kW it takes at least 5 h 33 min.
Questions (4)
Why is more energy drawn from the grid than goes into the battery?
Some energy is lost as heat when the charger and the car convert mains power for the battery. The US DOE and EPA estimate about 10% is lost in charging, which is the 90% used here; it varies by vehicle, charger and weather.
Why does charging take longer than this?
The tool assumes full charger power all the time. In reality the car lowers the power as the battery fills, most of all above about 80%, and a car cannot take more power than its own on-board charger allows. So treat the time as the shortest it could be.
What price should I use?
Your home electricity price per kWh from your bill, or the price per kWh shown by the public charger. Use the second price to compare the two. Fees per session or per minute are not included.
Does it work in any country?
Yes. Type the price in your own currency; the answer is in the same currency. No country tariff is built in.
Sources and checks
Your numbers stay on your device unless you share them.
An estimate for planning. Real cost and time depend on the vehicle, the charger, the temperature and how full the battery is; your tariff or the charging operator's price decides what you pay. Results are estimates for information only and are not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important figures with a qualified professional before you act on them.