The numbers thrown around in EV charging conversations — 7kW, 50kW, 150kW, 350kW — can seem baffling. Here's what they actually mean in practice.
The kW Explained
kW (kilowatt) is a measure of power — the rate at which energy is transferred. A higher kW means faster charging. Simple as that.
kWh (kilowatt-hour) is what's stored in your battery. A Tesla Model Y Long Range has a ~75kWh battery. A MINI Electric has a ~28kWh battery.
Charging time (roughly): divide your usable battery size by the charger power. A 50kWh battery at 50kW = approximately 1 hour to charge from flat. In practice, charging slows above 80% SoC, so real times are a bit longer.
The Four Tiers of EV Charging
Slow (3–7kW) — overnight and workplace charging
This is your home charger, most hotel chargers, and many public AC charge points. Ideal for overnight top-ups.
- 3kW (3-pin domestic): adds roughly 10 miles per hour
- 7kW (standard home/hotel wallbox): adds roughly 25–30 miles per hour
- Time for a full charge: 8–14 hours depending on battery size
Fast (7–22kW) — public AC charging
Found in car parks, supermarkets, and some newer hotels. Some EVs can accept 11kW or 22kW on 3-phase connections.
- 11kW: adds roughly 45 miles per hour
- 22kW: adds roughly 85 miles per hour
- Time for a full charge: 2.5–6 hours
Rapid (50–150kW) — motorway and en-route charging
The standard DC rapid charger. Found at motorway services and dedicated charging hubs.
- 50kW: adds roughly 150 miles per hour
- 100kW: adds roughly 300 miles per hour
- 150kW: adds roughly 450 miles per hour
- Practical stop time: 20–40 minutes for an 80% charge
Ultra-Rapid (150–350kW) — the fastest available
For cars with 800V architecture (Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, Porsche Taycan, some newer models).
- 250kW+: adds 100 miles in around 15 minutes
- Not all cars can accept this power. Check your car's spec.
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What This Means for Hotel Charging
For overnight hotel stays, you want at least 7kW. Anything slower (3-pin) will only partially charge most EVs in a typical 8-hour stay.
Stays on Sento are labelled charging on-site, charging nearby or standard — confirm charging with the property or a live charging map such as Zapmap before you travel. A Sento Charging Promise is coming soon.
Related Reading
Ready to plan your next EV trip?
We're working on it. Here's where it stands.