Five of the UK’s Most Popular EVs and Their Charging Times on Mer’s Network

This growth is only set to accelerate, as the way that we live and travel continues to change to meet vital climate change goals.

By the end of 2022, it is projected that EVs will outsell diesel cars. And, by 2040, there are expected to be 36 million electric vehicles on UK roads.

But – for new EV adopters – getting to grips with charging speeds and range can be a challenge.

Electric Vehicles Charging Speed

Charging speed, associated costs, and vehicle range can depend on a variety of factors, including your EV model, battery capacity, type of charger used, grid power, and the weather.

Some of these should be taken into consideration when choosing which EV to buy, along with an idea of driving needs and local charging options.

Here is a look at five of the most popular EVs on sale in the UK today, and how they compare in range, battery capacity, and times to charge on two of Mer’s public chargers. It is important to note the below are approximations and the accurate charging time will depend on the available grid power at the time of charging.

Tesla Model 3

Price: from £40,490

Range: 305 miles (Real range estimate 170-345 miles)

Time to charge on:

1. Mer fast charger (22kW):  5-8 hrs (20-80 % charge)
2. Mer rapid charger (50kW): 42min (20-80% charge)

As the best-selling EV car in the UK, the Tesla Model 3 is the US brand’s smallest and cheapest model to date. Battery capacity in the standard range EV is 62.3kWh.

Using a Mer 50kW public rapid charger, it would cost £14.76 to charge a Tesla Model 3 as a registered customer and £15.48 as a guest user.

Kia EV6

Price: from £40,945

Range: 328 miles (Real range estimation 175-360 miles)

Time to charge on:

1. Mer fast charger (22kW):  7 hrs (20-80 % charge)
2. Mer rapid charger (50kW): 54min (20-80% charge)

Kia’s flagship EV6 is a family-sized EV available in single-motor two-wheel drive or twin-motor four-wheel drive versions. Both UK models currently have a 77.4kWh battery.

Using a Mer 50kW public rapid charger, it would cost £18.58 to charge a Kia EV6 as a registered customer and £19.97 as a guest user.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Price: from £37,420

Range: 287 miles (Real range estimation 165-345 miles)

Time to charge on:

1. Mer fast charger (22kW):  6 hrs (20-80 % charge)
2. Mer rapid charger (50kW): 42min (20-80% charge)

The fast-charging Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 (Long-range) comes with a choice of two battery packs: a basic 58kWh one, or a larger 73kWh version.

Using a Mer 50kW public rapid charger, it would cost £14.27 to charge a Hyundai Ioniq 5 (58kWh) as a registered customer and £14.96 as a guest user.

Polestar 2

Price: from £39,900

Range: 248 miles (Real range estimation 170-345 miles)

Time to charge on:

1. Mer fast charger (22kW):  7 hrs (20-80 % charge)
2. Mer rapid charger (50kW): 42min (20-80% charge)

Swedish-designed Polestar 2 (long range) is aimed at mid-sized EV buyers, with Polestar a new entry manufacturer in the EV market. Battery capacity is 78kWh.

Using a Mer 50kW public rapid charger, it would cost £15.01 to charge a Polestar 2 as a registered customer and £15.74 as a guest user.

VW ID.3

Price: from £33,805

Range:  280 miles – 77kWh version- (Real range estimation 200-410 miles)

Time to charge on:

1. Mer fast charger (22kW):  6-8 hrs (20-80 % charge)
2. Mer rapid charger (50kW): 30min (20-80% charge)

The Volkswagen ID.3 is a fully electric hatchback. The VW ID.3 offers three different battery sizes: an entry-level 45kWh, 58kW/h version, and a 77kWh battery for top-spec models.

Using a Mer 50kW public rapid charger, it would cost £11.07 to charge a VW ID.3 (45kWh battery) as a registered customer and £11.61 as a guest user.

Understanding batteries and driving range

Battery capacity and its effect on charging speed and range are key considerations to take into account when buying an EV.

Most plug-in hybrids and all EVs use a Lithium-ion battery with a set capacity, although different battery sizes are available within models.

Larger batteries, such as the 77kWh versions, give a much higher range between charges than smaller 40kWh ones. In some cases, a larger battery takes longer to charge, though some larger batteries can accept higher rapid charging speeds. The Tesla Model 3 Std range, for example, has a 170kW peak DC, and the larger battery has a 250kW peak.

A typical EV can travel between 100-200 miles on a single charge, while models such as the Tesla Model 3 can cover more than 300 miles before needing a top-up.

Manufacturers base an EV’s range on mileage achieved from ‘efficient driving in reasonable conditions’. But ‘real range’ depends on weather, speed, driving style, and road condition/topography.

Charging speeds, times and costs using the Mer network

Knowing how long to charge an EV largely depends on the type of charger used and battery size.

As a rough estimate for charging time, drivers can use the following calculation:

             Battery size (kWh) ÷ Charger power (kW) = Charging time (hours)

Though this formular can be used to estimate charging time, the actual charging time is affected by the charging curve, temperature management, and climatic conditions.

Now, in terms of charging power, there are three main charger options here in the UK:

• Slow – Charging at up to 3.6 kW. They can normally used at home, and they can take up to 12 hours for a full charge.
• Fast – Offering 7-22kW. Fast charges are the most common public chargers, and normally take 3-5 hours for a full charge.
• Semi-rapid, rapid / ultra-rapid – Can handle power outputs from 25kW to 350kW. Normally found at retail parks, charging hubs and motorways, a 50kW rapid charger gives most EVs 100 miles of range in less than 35 minutes.

EV charging specialists Mer have added 315 charge points across the UK in the past 12 months, with this number set to grow quickly.

Here is a look at typical charge times on our fast and rapid chargers, and associated costs on our network: