Charging Times

You can easily calculate the charging time of your electric car: divide the battery capacity by the charging power. For the Mokka-e, 50 kwh divided by 11 kw equals 4.5 hours. However, the charging power is not always constant during the charging process, so it can depend on the condition of the battery.

AC - alternating current

Every electric car can be charged with alternating current. However, since the battery can only store direct current, an on-board charger converts the alternating current from the mains into direct current. AC charging stations have standardised connections (Type2 charging sockets) that deliver single-phase or three-phase alternating current.

AC stands for "alternating current", electrical current whose direction changes periodically . AC charging is particularly suitable if the car can be charged over a longer period of time, such as at a wallbox.

DC - direct current

To be able to charge a car with direct current (DC), a so called fast charging station is necessary. The transformer inside converts the alternating current (AC) of the electricity network into direct current (DC). This means that the electricity does not have to be converted in the electric car itself and can thus be passed directly to the battery. This ensures that the process is much faster.

DC charging, known as fast charging, must be carried out with great care because it can lead to overheating of the battery and irreversible damage if care is not taken. In Europe, the CCS plug is the standard for DC charging. DC stands for Direct Current, because the electric current flows in a uniform direction.

Which charging method is better?

You can charge your Opel electric car using either direct current or alternating current. Both have different advantages: AC charging is possible almost everywhere, from household sockets to wallboxes and public charging stations. And it is cheaper compared to fast charging. DC charging is particularly practical for longer journeys.

Direct current allows you to charge your battery to 80% in just 30 minutes. You could also say it's an extended coffee break when you're out and about. However, too frequent fast charging can damage the battery - and it is correspondingly more expensive.

Compare the charging times of different charging cables and wallboxes here.

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

How long your electric car takes to charge depends on three main factors: How full your battery is, how big it is - and how much charging power your power source has. At a fast charging station (DC), you can charge your battery up to 80% in around 30 minutes. At a wallbox with 22 kW, you can fully charge your Corsa-e in 7.5 hours. At a station with 3.7 kW power, it takes twice as long.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

What factors affect charging times?

There are several factors that can influence the charging performance of your electric car, especially the outside temperature and the charge level of the battery - as this is optimised for temperatures around 20 degrees Centigrade. In winter or summer, the charging time can be correspondingly longer. In addition, the charging speed is higher when the battery is between 20 and 80 percent charged.