In this article, we are going to explain the difference between 7kW and 22kW EV chargers, let you know who can have 22kW EV chargers, and give you our honest and professional opinion on which is better.
First and foremost, did you know that you can charge your EV at different speeds? Slow, fast, rapid, and ultra-rapid electric vehicle chargers are available in the UK, each with a different kW rating.
Slow charging is when you use a 3-pin plug and granny charger to charge your EV at a rate of approximately 2.3kW. However, slow charging can also involve using a 3.6kW EV charger to charge your electric car.
To start, it’s important to recognise that the rate at which electricity charges your electric vehicle is measured in kW. So, when it comes to 7kW EV charging, a 7kW EV charger refers to a charging station capable of providing a maximum power output of 7 kilowatts.
A 7kW charger is considered a fast charger and is commonly found in homes, workplaces, and at some – although not as common – public EV charging stations. In fact, 7kW is by far the most common rate of power for dedicated home EV chargers in the UK since most EVs have a maximum onboard charging rate of 7kW and because only a single-phase electricity supply is needed to have a 7kW charger installed on your property.
Single-phase is the most common power supply in the UK and is usually found in standard residential properties. With a single-phase power supply, you’ll only be able to install an electric vehicle charging point of up to 7kW, or more specifically, up to a maximum of 7.4kW.
A 22kW EV charger is a dedicated charger installed on your property that charges three times faster than a 7kW EV charger and six times faster than a 3-pin plug EV charger, charging at a rate of 22 kilowatts.
No, not everyone can have a 22kW EV charger installed on their property, as it depends on whether you have a three-phase electricity supply, as touched upon previously. Since three-phase is typically found in industrial or commercial properties, it’s rare to find in UK domestic homes.
If a house does have a three-phase supply, it’s usually a large property that has multiple large electrical appliances that need to draw a significant amount of electricity to function (i.e. hot tubs).
If you are interested in having a home EV charger installed but are unsure what electrical supply you have, you can contact our first-class customer service team, available seven days a week, who are always happy to help.
The core difference between a 7kW and a 22kW EV charger is the charging rate. A 22kW charger is three times faster than a 7kW charger, charging at 22 kilowatts compared to 7 kilowatts due to an increase in power. However, the caveat is that a 22kW electric car charger requires a three-phase electricity supply for installation, whereas a 7kW charger only requires a single-phase electricity supply.
Did you know that not all electric cars can charge with a 22kW AC charger and take advantage of the power output? To charge at 22kW, your electric car would need to accept a 22kW AC charging rate. If your vehicle can’t receive this rate, even if you upgrade your supply and invest in a 22kW EV charger, your EV will only be able to charge at the maximum onboard charger rate of the vehicle, thus not charging any faster.
In truth, only a handful of electric vehicles can accept a 22kW EV charging rate. The most common electric cars to charge at 22kW are typically Tesla, Renault Zoe, BYD and Audi. However, it depends on the EV model. Be mindful that certain Tesla models have charging capabilities of 11kW and would, therefore, not truly benefit from a 22kW charger.
It’s always best to consult your EV manual or the manufacturer if you are wondering whether your EV can charge with a 22kW AC charger. Below is a comprehensive list of popular electric cars with 22kW onboard chargers:
Upgrading your fuse to three-phase will be expensive, starting from £1,500 plus VAT. In actuality, upgrading your electricity supply to a three-phase can average between £3,500 and £5,500 (excluding VAT). Sometimes, a three-phase fuse upgrade for a 22kW charger can reach up to £15,000, depending on the job’s complexity.
That said, in our professional opinion, it’s not worth getting a 22kW EV charger for one electric car at home. A 7kW EV charger is more than enough. And since most homes in the UK have a single-phase electricity supply and electric vehicles tend to have a 7kW maximum charging rate, 7kW home chargers are the better choice as you don’t have to spend substantial time or money upgrading your fuse.
Of course, if you have three-phase electricity in your home, are happy to spend more on a 22kW EV charger, and have an electric vehicle with a 22kW maximum charging rate, then yes, 22kW charging may be more worthwhile for you, as you can charge your EV fastest rate possible at home. Otherwise, we recommend sticking to a 7.4kW home charger as 22kW comes with timely upgrades, expensive costs and not every electric car can take advantage of the higher power output.
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