7kW vs 22kW EV charger — which do you need?
For almost every home, 7kW is the right choice — it runs on a standard single-phase supply and fully charges most cars overnight. 22kW needs a three-phase supply, which most homes don't have, and many cars can't accept more than 7–11kW of AC charging anyway. 22kW mainly makes sense for commercial sites, fleets, or the rare home with three-phase power.
What the numbers mean
The kW figure is how fast the charger can deliver energy. A 7kW unit adds very roughly 25–30 miles of range per hour; a 22kW unit is faster — on paper. The catch is that the speed is limited by the slowest link in the chain: your electricity supply, the charger, and the car's onboard AC charger.
Why 7kW suits most homes
Most UK homes have a single-phase supply, and 7kW is the most a single-phase home charger delivers. Plugged in overnight, 7kW comfortably fills most cars by morning — which is how home charging is actually used. It's the standard, sensible home choice.
When 22kW is worth it
22kW needs a three-phase supply, which most homes don't have (it's more common in commercial premises). Even with three-phase, many EVs cap their AC onboard charger at 7.4kW or 11kW, so they can't use the full 22kW anyway. It earns its place for workplaces, fleets and destinations where cars turn over quickly — less so at home.
Will a 22kW charger charge my car twice as fast?
Only if your supply is three-phase and your car's onboard AC charger can accept 22kW — many can't. For most home setups you'd see no benefit over 7kW.
How do I know if I have three-phase?
Most homes are single-phase. Three-phase has three live tails at the meter rather than one. If you're not sure, we can check — but for the vast majority of homes it's single-phase and 7kW.
Is 7kW enough for a long commute?
Usually, yes — overnight at 7kW adds far more range than a typical day's driving. If you do exceptional mileage, that's worth discussing, but 7kW covers most people comfortably.