From an ultra-fast 20-minute boost to a steady charge at home, charging times often vary. Discover our real-life examples to help you plan ahead and know what to watch out for.
The times below are averages for charging from 20% to 80% for a compact mid-range car, giving an extra driving range of around 210 km (60 kWh battery based on 17 kWh/100 km).
By way of comparison, a motorist in Brussels travels an average of only 30 km per day. This means that after a day's driving, your car will often be fully recharged in just a few hours.
To note
After about 50% of the charging time, the battery is already 80% charged. It is the last few percent that can cause it to take a long time for your battery to fully charge. One more thing: it is best not to charge your battery beyond 80%. This will keep the battery in top condition for much longer.
With a power socket at home
Compact electric cars can be charged in about 16 hours using a standard power socket (2.3 kW).
This is done using a cable with an adapter supplied by the manufacturer (charging mode 2). This includes a safety system that limits the current to prevent overheating.
When to charge?
Whether you use a standard power socket or a charging station, it is always a good idea to think carefully about when to charge your car. The ideal time may be different for everyone:
- If you have a standard electricity contract: it is best to charge at night or at the weekend.
- If you have solar panels: preferably charge when your solar panels are producing the most.
- If you have a dynamic tariff: program your charging so that you benefit from the periods when energy is cheapest, for example with an energy management system.
With a charging station at home
Of course, you can also install a charging station at home. With a home charging station, charging is faster. With a capacity of 3.7 to 7.4 kW (most domestic charging stations), the charging time drops to around 5 to 10 hours.
In 2026, installing a home charging station in Belgium will generally cost between €1,200 and €2,000 (including VAT and installation) for a standard 3.7 to 7.4 kW model. Keep in mind that you may need to increase the power of your connection, which could impact your costs (often between €150 and €300 for the meter alone).
Is it charging slower than expected?
Even though you have an 11 kW charging station at home, your car is not charging as quickly as expected? Several factors can limit the charging speed, such as software limitations or your type of connection to the network.
With a public charging station
Public or company charging stations often have more powerful connections. This means that charging outside the home can be slightly faster than at home, from 3.5 to 5 hours with a power output of 7.4 to 11 kW.
With a supercharger
At fast charging stations, for example along the motorway, you can charge your battery to 80% in about 20 minutes with a power output of 150 kW.
There are new charging solutions that promise even shorter charging times, but they require very high electrical power. By way of comparison, a 300 kW charging station corresponds to the connection power of around 30 homes.
Calculate the charging time yourself
You can easily estimate the charging time using Sibelga's simulator. But you can also calculate it yourself.
- Calculate the charging power in watts: Multiply the voltage (V) by the current (A). For example: 16 A × 230 V = 3,680 W.
- Convert watts to kilowatts: Divide the number of watts by 1,000. For example: 3,680 W ÷ 1,000 = 3.68 kW
- Calculate the charging time: Divide the battery capacity (kWh) by the charging power. For example: 24 kWh ÷ 3.68 kW = 6.5 hours.
Summary
Below is an overview of the average charging times to charge from 20% to 80% for a compact mid-range car (210 km extra driving range at 17 kWh/100 km, for a 60 kWh battery).
| Type of connection | Power | Charging time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard socket | 2,3 kW | ~16 hours |
| Single-phase station | 3,7 kW | ~10 hours |
| Single-phase station | 7,4 kW | ~5 hours |
| Three-phase station | 11 kW | ~3.5 hours |
| Supercharger (DC) | 150 kW | ~20 min |
The verdict?
The 7.4 kW charging station is the champion for everyday use. It offers the best balance between charging speed and your budget.
We all know by now that the electricity grid is under heavy strain from all those new electric devices. Help reduce the impact on the grid by charging at 3.7 kW. This is enough power to charge your car overnight.
This means you can leave every morning with a full battery, without turning your garage into an expensive supercharger!