How long does it take to charge an electric car in India?

By EVBharat Editorial · Updated 26 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

BYD Atto 3 charging, illustrating EV charging times in India

There is no single answer, because charging time depends on three things multiplied together: your battery size, the charger's power, and what the car will accept. Here is how to work it out in your head, and what the real numbers look like.

The arithmetic

Hours = battery kWh ÷ charger kW. A 45 kWh Nexon EV on a 3.3 kW home socket is about 13–14 hours. On a 7.2 kW wall box, about 6–7. On a 50 kW DC charger, well under an hour — though DC charging slows down sharply above 80%, which is why every manufacturer quotes 10–80% rather than 0–100%.

Charging times by method

Method	Power	Full charge (45 kWh)	Range added per hour
Portable charger, 15A socket	2.5–3.3 kW	13–18 hours	15–25 km
Home wall box	7.2 kW	6–7 hours	40–50 km
Public AC point	11 kW	4–5 hours	60–75 km
Public DC fast	50 kW	~55 min (10–80%)	250–300 km
High-power DC	150 kW+	18–25 min (10–80%)	600 km+

Real 10–80% DC times for popular Indian EVs

Model	Battery	10–80% on DC	Claimed range
Mahindra BE 6	79 kWh	20 min	682 km
Mahindra XEV 9e	79 kWh	20 min	656 km
Hyundai Ioniq 5	72.6 kWh	18 min	631 km
Kia EV6	84 kWh	18 min	663 km
Tesla Model Y	75 kWh	27 min	622 km
Tata Nexon EV	45 kWh	40 min	325 km
Tata Curvv EV	55 kWh	40 min	585 km
Hyundai Creta Electric	51.4 kWh	35 min	473 km
Maruti e Vitara	61 kWh	45 min	517 km
MG Windsor EV	52.9 kWh	50 min	449 km
Tata Punch EV	35 kWh	56 min	315 km
Tata Tiago EV	24 kWh	58 min	250 km

Why the last 20% takes so long

As a lithium-ion pack fills, the battery management system reduces current to protect cell chemistry. A car that goes 10–80% in 20 minutes may take another 30 minutes for 80–100%. On a road trip the correct move is to stop twice at 80% rather than once at 100% — it is faster overall.

What slows charging in India

Heat. A hot battery charges slower. Fast-charging at 2pm in May is measurably slower than at 9pm, because the pack throttles current to stay in its safe temperature window.
Charger sharing. Many public DC units split power between two bays. A 60 kW charger with two cars connected gives each about 30 kW.
Starting state of charge. Arriving at 60% and charging to 80% is slow per kWh. Arriving at 15% uses the fast part of the curve.
The car's own limit. A car that accepts 50 kW maximum will not charge faster on a 150 kW unit. Check the car's spec, not just the charger's.

The practical pattern

Plug in at home overnight, wake up full, and never think about it. Use DC only on long drives. On that pattern, "how long does it take to charge" stops being a meaningful question — the car charges while you sleep, the same way your phone does.

Work out your own numbers

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fully charge an electric car in India?

On a standard 15A home socket at 2.5-3.3 kW, 13-18 hours for a 45 kWh battery. On a 7.2 kW home wall box, 6-7 hours. On a 50 kW public DC charger, about 55 minutes for 10-80%. On a high-power 150 kW unit, 18-25 minutes for 10-80%.

Which electric car charges fastest in India?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Porsche Taycan all manage 10-80% in about 18 minutes on high-power DC, thanks to 800-volt architecture. Among Indian-built cars, the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e lead at about 20 minutes.

Why does the last 20% of charging take so long?

The battery management system reduces charging current as the pack fills, to protect cell chemistry. A car that does 10-80% in 20 minutes can take another 30 minutes to reach 100%. On long drives it is faster to stop twice to 80% than once to 100%.

How much range does an hour of home charging add?

About 15-25 km on a standard 15A socket, and 40-50 km on a 7.2 kW wall box. Overnight on a normal socket that is roughly 150-200 km, which covers most Indian daily driving.

Does Indian heat affect charging speed?

Yes. A hot battery charges more slowly because the management system limits current to keep the pack within a safe temperature range. Fast charging in peak afternoon heat is noticeably slower than the same session in the evening.

Prices are ex-showroom and indicative. Range figures are manufacturer-claimed unless stated otherwise; real-world range in Indian conditions is typically 72–80% of claimed. Costs vary by state tariff, fuel price and driving style. Last updated 26 August 2026.