Charging Time Comparison for Consumer Electronics (Phones, etc.)
Based on a comparison of several common charging methods for devices such as smartphones:
- Wired charging with a fast adapter is the fastest method, taking about 34 minutes to reach 50% charge and 77 minutes for a full charge from 0%.
- USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) charging with a 30W charger is slightly faster than Qualcomm Quick Charge, requiring around 30 minutes to reach 50% and 65 minutes for full charge.
- Qualcomm Quick Charge takes about 32 minutes to 50% and 71 minutes to 100%.
- Apple Fast Charging with an 18W charger needs roughly 39 minutes to 50% and 95 minutes to full charge.
- Standard wired charging with a low-power adapter is slower, around 56 minutes for 50% and 117 minutes to full charge.
- Wireless charging with a 10W pad is the slowest among these, requiring 85 minutes to 50% and 163 minutes to 100%.
Thus, wired fast adapters and USB-PD offer the quickest recharge times, with wireless and standard wired lagging behind.
Charging Time Comparison for Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Charging times for EVs depend strongly on the charger type, voltage, and power output:
- Level 1 Charging (120V AC, common household outlet): This is the slowest method and can take 40-50+ hours to charge a battery electric vehicle (BEV) to 80% from empty, or about 5-6 hours to charge a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). It typically adds 2–6 miles of range per hour.
- Level 2 Charging (208-240V AC): Much faster than Level 1, Level 2 chargers can charge a BEV to 80% in 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours. This is common for home, workplace, and public charging.
- DC Fast Charging: The fastest EV charging method, utilizing direct current to deliver higher power directly to the battery. This method can charge an EV from near empty to full in roughly 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the station and battery size.
Summary Table for EV Charging Times
| Charger Type | Voltage/Power Output | Typical Time to 80% Charge (BEV) | Typical Time to Full Charge (PHEV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (AC) | 120V | 40-50+ hours | 5-6 hours |
| Level 2 (AC) | 208-240V | 4-10 hours | 1-2 hours |
| DC Fast Charging | High-power DC | 0.5–1 hour | (Varies, often faster) |
Key Factors Affecting Charging Time
- Power Output: Higher wattage chargers deliver energy faster.
- Charging Method: DC charging is faster than AC charging since DC supplies power directly to the battery.
- Battery Size: Larger batteries take longer to charge.
- Charging Efficiency: Different protocols (e.g., Qualcomm Quick Charge, USB-PD) have varying efficiency levels affecting speed.
- State of Charge: Charging speeds may vary depending on current battery level (usually faster to 50%, then tapering off).
Conclusion
For consumer electronics, fast wired charging methods like USB-PD and Qualcomm Quick Charge significantly reduce charging time compared to wireless or standard wired charging. For electric vehicles, slow Level 1 charging is suitable for overnight charging but takes many hours, Level 2 offers a practical balance for home or workplace charging in several hours, and DC fast charging provides the quickest recharge within an hour or less for rapid top-ups during travel.
This comparison highlights the importance of choosing an appropriate charging method based on time availability and convenience needs.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-different-charging-methods-compare-in-terms-of-time/
