If you’ve recently started looking into electric vehicle charging, you may have come across chargers advertised as 7kW, 22kW, 50kW or even 120kW. But what do these numbers actually mean, and how does a higher kW rating affect your charging time and what does 120kW mean?
Understanding EV charging speeds can help you choose the right charger for your journey and make your charging stops more convenient.
What Does 120kW Mean?
The 120kW refers to the maximum amount of electrical power that a charger can deliver to an electric vehicle, measured in kilowatts (kW).
In simple terms, the higher the kW rating, the more power a compatible EV can potentially receive during a charging session.
So what does 120kW mean? A 120kW charger is therefore significantly faster than a typical home charger. While a home charger may be ideal for charging overnight, a 120kW rapid charger is designed for situations where you want to add a useful amount of charge in a much shorter period.
This makes 120kW charging particularly useful for longer journeys, where getting back on the road quickly can make a big difference.
How Fast Is a 120kW EV Charger?
How quickly your EV charges from a 120kW charger depends on several factors, including the vehicle itself, battery size, current battery level and the maximum charging speed your car can accept.
It’s important to remember that 120kW is the maximum power available from the charger, not a guarantee that every EV will charge at 120kW.
For example, if your vehicle can only accept 50kW of DC charging power, it won’t be able to take the full 120kW available from the charger.
So what does 120kW mean? However, if your vehicle is capable of accepting higher charging speeds, a 120kW charger can provide a much faster charging experience than a lower-powered public charger.
Why Is Faster EV Charging Useful?
One of the biggest advantages of faster charging is simple: less time waiting and more time driving.
When you’re travelling a long distance, you may not want to spend an hour or more at every charging stop. A rapid charger can allow you to make a shorter stop, add useful range to your battery and continue your journey.
A faster charger can be especially useful when you’re travelling for work, taking a long-distance road trip or simply trying to get home after a busy day.
It also gives you more flexibility when planning your journey. Instead of having to make long charging stops, you can look for rapid chargers along your route and fit a shorter charging break into your journey.
Does a 120kW Charger Charge Every EV at 120kW?
No. The charging speed of your EV depends on the vehicle’s own charging capabilities.
Think of it like a motorway. A charger may have the capacity to provide a certain amount of power, but your vehicle determines how much power it can actually take.
Your charging speed can also change during a charging session. EVs typically charge more quickly when the battery is at a lower state of charge. As the battery gets closer to full, the vehicle will often reduce the charging power.
This is one reason why you don’t always need to charge to 100% during a long journey. If you only need enough energy to reach your destination or your next charging stop, a shorter charging session may be all you need. What Does 120kW Mean – basically that’s the maximum output the charger will give out.
120kW vs Slower EV Chargers
Different chargers are designed for different situations.
A 7kW home EV charger, for example, is generally suited to charging your vehicle over several hours, such as overnight.
A 22kW charger can provide more power, although whether your vehicle can use the full 22kW depends on its onboard charging capabilities.
Higher-powered rapid chargers, such as 50kW and 120kW chargers, are designed with convenience and speed in mind. They’re particularly useful for drivers who are travelling longer distances and want to minimise the time spent charging.
The right charger therefore depends on what you’re doing. If your car is parked at home overnight, speed may not be your biggest concern. If you’re halfway through a 200-mile journey, however, a rapid charger can be much more valuable.
Tap Zap Go Offers 120kW EV Charging
At Tap Zap Go, we understand that drivers want convenient charging without unnecessary delays.
That’s why our EV charging stations offer up to 120kW charging, giving compatible vehicles access to high-powered rapid charging when they’re on the move.
Our current charging rate is 49p per kWh, providing a competitive option for drivers looking for rapid public EV charging.
Tap Zap Go currently has three UK locations:
EV Charger in Strood, Medway
You’ll find our Strood charging station at:
Whitewall Centre, Whitewall Road, Medway City Estate, Strood, Kent, ME2 4DZ
It’s a convenient option for drivers travelling through the Medway area who need a rapid charging stop.
EV Charger at Lambourn Woodlands, Hungerford
Our second location is beside the westbound Membury Services:
Lambourn Woodlands, Hungerford, RG17 7TJ
Being positioned beside the services makes it a useful stopping point for drivers who want to combine charging with a break from their journey.
EV Charger in Castleford, West Yorkshire
Our third location is at:
Willowbridge Lane, Castleford, WF10 5NW
If you’re travelling through Castleford or the surrounding area, it’s another opportunity to access 120kW charging and get back on the road.
How Can You Make the Most of a 120kW Charger?
If you’re planning a long journey, it’s worth thinking about how much charge you actually need rather than automatically aiming for 100%.
For example, if you’re travelling several hundred miles, you could plan your route around rapid charging stops and add enough charge at each stop to comfortably reach your next destination or charging point.
Using a journey-planning tool such as Zapmap can help you identify charging stations along your route and compare your options before you set off.
It’s also worth checking your vehicle’s maximum DC charging rate so you know what to expect when you arrive at a rapid charger.
Is 120kW Charging Worth It?
For drivers who regularly travel long distances, 120kW charging can offer a significant convenience advantage.
You may be able to spend less time charging and more time travelling, particularly if your vehicle is capable of taking advantage of the available power.
It’s not necessarily about charging your battery from empty to full as quickly as possible. Instead, rapid charging is about making efficient use of your stops and adding the range you need to continue your journey.
For many drivers, that means a quick break, a convenient top-up and then back on the road.
Plan Your Next EV Charging Stop
So if you were wondering what does 120kW mean, then understanding what 120kW means makes it easier to choose the right charger for your journey.
While the exact charging speed will always depend on your vehicle and its battery, a 120kW charger provides significantly more power than a typical home charger and can make public charging much more convenient for longer journeys.
With 120kW EV charging at 49p per kWh, Tap Zap Go provides rapid charging at three UK locations in Strood, Lambourn Woodlands and Castleford.
So, the next time you’re planning a long EV journey, check your vehicle’s charging capabilities, plan your stops and look for a charger that fits your needs.
When you need a faster charge, Tap Zap Go is ready to help you get back on the road. Hopefully if you started out asking what does 120kW mean, this article would have helped you out.
Information correct at the time of publishing on 4th September 2026.
