What are the charging times of different electric utility vehicles?
Electric commercial vehicle charging times range from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on your vehicle's battery capacity, charger type and charging power. With DC fast charging, you can charge most commercial vehicles from 10% to 80% in 45-90 minutes, while home charging with AC usually takes 6-12 hours for a full charge. The choice between different charging methods depends on your daily mileage and operations.
What determines the charging time of an electric utility vehicle?
The charging time of your electric utility vehicle depends on four main factors: battery capacity, vehicle charging capacity, charger type and ambient temperature. A larger battery takes longer to charge, but also offers more driving range for your working day.
Battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A small commercial electric vehicle usually has a battery of 40-60 kWh, while larger models can have up to 90 kWh. The charging capacity of your vehicle determines the maximum amount of power it can accept. Most commercial vehicles accept between 7-11 kW on AC charging and 50-150 kW on DC fast charging.
Ambient temperature also plays an important role. In freezing temperatures, charging up to 30% can take longer, as the battery has to warm up first. In summer, charging is faster, but extremely hot days can also limit charging capacity to protect the battery.
What is the difference between AC charging and DC fast charging for commercial vehicles?
AC charging (AC) uses your normal socket or wallbox and charges at 3-22 kW. DC fast charging (direct current) bypasses your vehicle's built-in charger and charges the battery directly with 50-150 kW or more. This difference determines whether you need 8 hours or 45 minutes for a hefty charge.
With AC charging at home or office, you usually pay the lowest rates, especially at night. An 11 kW wallbox will fully charge most commercial vehicles in 6-8 hours. This is ideal if your vehicle is stationary overnight and you want to leave the next morning with a full battery.
DC fast charging costs more per kilowatt-hour, but saves a huge amount of time. Along the motorway, you can recharge enough for another 200-300 kilometres in 30-45 minutes. Do note that the charging speed decreases as the battery gets fuller. Going from 10% to 80% is quick, but the last 20% often takes as long as the first 70%.
How long does it take to charge popular electric commercial vehicles?
The Ford E-Transit (68 kWh battery) charges from 10% to 80% in about 45 minutes at a 115 kW fast charger. At home at an 11 kW wallbox, a full charge takes about 8.5 hours. The Mercedes eVito (60 kWh) has similar times: 45 minutes of fast charging or 7 hours of home charging.
The Volkswagen e-Crafter with its 35 kWh battery is ready faster: 30 minutes from 10% to 80% with fast charging, or 4.5 hours for a full charge at home. The Renault Master E-Tech (87 kWh) has the largest battery and charges from 10% to 80% in about 90 minutes under optimal conditions.
With a normal socket (2.3 kW), it takes much longer. The E-Transit would then need more than 24 hours for a full charge. This is why we highly recommend a wallbox if you regularly drive electric for your business.
Which charging solutions best suit your operations?
Home charging works best if your vehicles are at home at night and you drive less than 200 kilometres a day. An 11 kW wallbox ensures you leave every morning with a full battery. For companies with a fleet of vehicles, charging at the workplace is often the smartest choice.
Do you drive more than 300 kilometres a day or have no fixed location? Then a combination of home charging and public fast chargers along your route is the best solution. Plan your stops at fast chargers during lunch breaks or customer visits of 30-45 minutes.
For local service providers, such as plumbers or electricians, home charging is usually sufficient. Transport and logistics companies often benefit from charging poles on company premises, where several vehicles can charge at the same time. Then consider a smart charging solution that distributes the available power to all vehicles.
How Van den Hurk helps with electric commercial vehicles
We help you make the right choice for electric commercial vehicles that perfectly match your operations and charging capabilities. With our years of experience, we advise you not only on the vehicle itself, but also on the best charging strategy for your situation.
Our support includes:
- Personalised advice on battery capacity and charging power for your daily mileage
- Explaining different charging solutions and their costs
- Help in calculating total cost of ownership, including loading costs
- Guidance on switching from diesel to electric
- Flexible leasing options that take into account rapid developments in electric driving
View our complete range electric commercial vehicles and find out which models suit your business best. We will gladly think with you about the best charging strategy and help you make an informed choice that will future-proof your business.
