How long to charge Australia’s favourite EVs

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Electric vehicle (EV) sales have doubled in Australia in the last few years, thanks to their environmental benefits of lower running costs and the increasing availability of charging infrastructure. For those interested in buying an EV an important thing to consider is the charging time. This guide will outline the top 20 most popular EVs and their respective charging times.

Charging Basics

Before diving into the specific models and their respective charging times, it is important to understand the different types of EV charging:

There are two forms of EV chargers, AC (alternate current) or DC (direct current). AC charging is used mostly in the home or at small public charging stations, it uses the EV’s onboard charger to convert AC to DC, making it a slower charging option and most suitable for overnight charging. While DC charging is found most along motorways or fast charging stations it bypasses the process of converting AC to DC and directly supplies DC power to the battery. This is a much faster form of charging but is more expensive and typically only used for long road trips or quick recharges.

Top 10 best-selling models and how long it takes to charge them:

  1. Tesla Model Y
  2. Tesla Model 3
  3. BYD Atto 3
  4. BYD Seal
  5. MG 4
  6. BYD Dolphin
  7. Kia EV6
  8. Hyundai Kona Electric
  9. BMW iX1
  10. BMW i4
  11. Volvo XC40 Recharge
  12. Polestar 2
  13. Toyota BZ4X
  14. MG ZS EV
  15. BMW iX3
  16. Mercedes-Benz EQE
  17. GWM Ora
  18. Mercedes-Benz EQA
  19. Hyundai Ioniq 5
  20. Kia Niro

 

 

1. Tesla Model Y

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 35 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 11 hours

The Tesla Model Y comes in two versions in the Australian market with a Performance and Long Range AWD. The Performance version has higher acceleration and top speed but has a shorter range when compared to the Long Range AWD.  This EV achieves a staggering  480-505km on a single charge without compromising the quality and innovation of previous Tesla models. The Tesla Model Y is expected to have a fast AC charging speed of 11 kW, making a 3-phase home charger the best solution to keep your Model Y battery full and healthy. Tesla’s compact crossover promises to challenge the dominance of the marquee Japanese brands. The perfect family sports utility.

2. Tesla Model 3

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 40 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 11 hours

The Tesla Model 3 achieves an impressive  500km on a single charge without compromising the quality and innovation of previous Tesla models. This model has a fast AC charging speed of 11 kW making a at home the best solution to keep your Model 3 battery full. Spearheading Tesla’s entry into the mass market automotive sector, the Model 3 is built on the same platform that made the Model S and Model X popular. The Model 3 chargers provide a charging speed of 60km per hour of charge, making it ideal for the Australian EV market. See our range of chargers here.

3. BYD Atto 3

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 22-26 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 8.5 hours

Entering the market as Australia’s cheapest EV, this vehicle has had wide-reaching success overseas and is now available to the Australian market. This vehicle has a 50-60kWh battery with an immense range of 420km in the extended range version, making this both an affordable and quality EV. With a Type 2 plug and a  , this vehicle is built to provide functionality and convenience. BYD  is a global EV leader with the blade battery providing the company with its own access to battery technology.

4. BYD Seal

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 36 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 7.5 hours

The BYD Seal uses a high-voltage electric drive boost charging solution, hence allowing for faster charging and significantly reduces the waiting time for users to charge. Its impressive 82.5kwh battery delivers 570km of range, which is very convenient for an EV driver. The BYD Seal is part of the BYD Ocean series. It features an Ocean Aesthetics design concept resulting in a dynamic, stylish, and highly recognisable visual symbol.

5. MG 4

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 44 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 11 hours

MG Australia’s first fully ground up EV design, the sport MG4, sits on a dedicated EV architecture, offering significant improvements in range and internal styling over the ZS EV. It comes in standard and long-range models, with the long-range featuring a 72 kWh battery for up to 440 kilometres of range. The MG4’s 250 Nm torque engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds. It can recharge from 0 to 80 percent in 30 minutes using a 120kW fast charger, or fully charge in seven hours with an

6. BYD Dolphin

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 23 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  6.5 hours

The EA1/Dophin entered the Australian market as one of the most affordable EVs, offering various battery and drivetrain configurations. Despite its low price, its performance and range compete with any EV in its class. The vehicle features a single motor powering the front wheels and comes with battery capacities of either 30.7 kWh or 44.9 kWh, providing flexibility in range. Both battery capacities can be paired with a 70kW/180Nm motor allowing clean metro acceleration and nimble performance.

7. Kia EV6

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 33.5-40 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  9-12 hours

The Kia EV6 is an electric family sports coupe SUV which is characterised by its futuristic and glamorous design. It not only boasts an impressively high maximum charging rate, but also delivers powerful performance and a substantial driving range. The EV6 charging port uses the CCS standard, which features a combined AC and DC inlet port. This allows the car to charge from home, work, or through the use of public chargers. The 15 Amp EVSE Portable Charger is recommended to charge this vehicle, providing a powerful charging rate anytime, anywhere.

8. Hyundai Kona Electric

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 37 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  9 hours

The super-popular Kona gets its first taste as a fully electric car with a driving range of 250km. The Kona Electric is poised to be popular with compact SUV buyers with its strong range and entry-level pricing. A 39 kWh battery powers a 133-hp electric motor. With the larger 64.0-kWh battery, power and range increase to about 480 kilometers. With a 7 -11 kW charging capacity depending on the model, it’s essential to have a quality EV charger installed at home to maximise your EV’s range. This vehicle is built for both residential and long-distance use.

9. BMW iX1

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 28 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  9 hours

The BMW iX1 landed in Australia in 2023 and landed itself in the top 15 selling cars for the year. Equipped with a 67kWh battery, this model has a range of up to 464km, before a recharge is necessary. The iX1 is supported by an 11kW AC charger and is compatible with 128kW DC fast-charging, 10-80% in just 30 minutes.  Charging times and battery size may vary by model.

10. BMW i4

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 5 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  2.5 hours

The BMW i4 provides a whole new take on the dynamic excellence for which BMW is renowned and blends a modern, elegantly sporty design with the spaciousness and functionality of a four-door Gran Coupe – all while generating zero local emissions. BMW i4 features an 80 kWh battery pack with a range of 500 km and an acceleration speed of 0-100km/hr in just 5.7 seconds.

11. Volvo XC40 Recharge

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 37.5 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  12 hours

Volvo’s new XC40 is powered by a compact & lightweight powertrain. Driven by two electric motors, the XC40 EV produces a quick acceleration Hitting 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds. The XCD40 has a stylish interior and an android smart system. The XC40 EV can utilise 3-phase charging therefore a 22 kW EV Charger is recommended to enable fast recharging of the vehicle. Portable chargers are not suitable for Volvo for drivers who travel more than 80km a day due to the slow speed of charge.

12. Polestar 2

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 40 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  11.5 hours

The Polestar 2 is a fully electric sedan designed to challenge the Tesla Model 3, with prices starting from the AU$59,990 mark. The Polestar 2 is equipped with all-wheel drive, will do 0-100km in a shade under five seconds and has the equivalent of 421hp. The Polestar is sharper-edged and recognizably Swedish. Polestar 2 features a 310 kW long-range dual motor with a 82 kWh battery pack with a range of 590 km.

13. Toyota BZ4X

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 31 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  10 hours

The Toyota bZ4X is a mid-sized SUV that is approximately the same size to a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The bZ4X is comfortable and confident on the road, well equipped, and is one of the most cheapest when compared to its rivals, making it suitable for daily commutes and longer journeys. With a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds, it delivers respectable performance for an electric SUV in its class. The bZ4X boasts a range of 485km on a single charge, indicating its suitability for both short trips and longer drives without frequent recharging. Its 71.4kWh battery pack provides the necessary power to achieve this range, reflecting Toyota’s efforts to keep up with industry standards for EV technology.

14. MG ZS EV

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 26 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  7 hours

Powering the MG ZS EV is a 105kW/353Nm electric motor and 44.5kWh lithium-ion battery, which enables up to 262 kilometers of emissions-free driving. Recharging the ZS EV from zero to 80 percent takes 40 minutes using a 50kW fast charger, otherwise, a standard outlet will need around seven hours for a full juice. The MG ZS EV offers you options in charging stations. Our recommended charger is the 7kw which will allow the vehicle to be charged in 6 hours. The MG ZS EV as a pure EV requires a fast-charging option, especially if you intend to drive more than 80km a day due to the slow speed of standard wall portable chargers.

15. BMW iX3

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 26 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase):  7 hours

The BMW iX3 landed in Australia rivalling the Tesla Model Y, Jaguar I-PACE, Mercedes EQC, and Audi Q4 e-tron. Equipped with an 80kWh battery, the iX3 is able to run up to 450km before a top-up is required. When required, the BMW iX3 charging speed can support up to 11kW AC charging. If that’s not enough, the iX3 is also compatible with 150kW DC fast-charging, 0-80% in just 34 minutes.

16. Mercedes-Benz EQE

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 45 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 13 hours

The EQE is characterized by a monstrous 90kWh variant offering 600km of range. Furthermore, upgrades to the units systems will support a 170kW max charging speed for an improved DC charging experience. Its on-board battery accepts up to 11kW of AC power meaning a three-phase home charging station will be the ideal solution for your charging needs at home and work. The Mercedes EQE can utilise DC fast-charging stations. Each EQ has a CCS 2 port for easy use across Australia’s growing EV networks.

 

17. GWM Ora

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 21 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 6.5 hours

The Great Wall Motors Ora electric car, is a four-door coupe. This funky city style exterior and interior represents a value based electric vehicle model in the passenger category, to be sold in Australia. The 45.4 kw battery with charging speed of 11kw, leads to a range of 260km. The rapidly expanding company’s brand-new, frameless, four-door flagship EV is specifically made to compete with the Tesla Model 3, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal.

18. Mercedes-Benz EQA

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 37 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 10 hours

The Mercedes EQA battery EV contains a huge 66.5kWh on-board battery with an insane driving range of 486km. Designed in Germany, the EQA combines style with performance. Its on-board battery accepts up to 11kW of AC power meaning a three-phase home charging station will be the ideal solution for your charging needs.

19. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 41 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 11 hours

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 promises faster charge times and bi-directional charging capability (which means it can put power back into the grid if required). With a battery of 72.6kWh it has an impressive range of 480km. With a 150kW DC charger your Ioniq 5 will be charged in just under 30 minutes.

20. Kia Niro

Portable EV Charging (240V 10A): 40 hours

7 KW EV Home Charging Station (30 AMP 400V 3 Phase): 9 hours

Kia’s Niro burns through its class competitors with a 64kW battery and monstrous 400km range. Kia Niro continues the brand’s legacy from the Kia Soul and brings Tesla-level performance and range. The Kia has an AC charging speed of 11kW making a 32Amp single-phase charger the best solution at home to keep your battery full and healthy.

With the growth in EV charging infrastructure, charging your EV will become more and more convenient, making it easier to embrace the benefits of EV driving. Check out our range of residential chargers here. Charging times and battery size may vary by model. Please consult the manufacturer’s specifications.  Still indecisive? Find more information here.

Have further questions? Contact us:
sales@evse.com.au

1300 406 210

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