Are you considering installing a home EV charger but are not sure about choosing between a 7kW or a 22kW unit? Then, you are not alone. This is one of the most frequently asked questions by electric vehicle owners, and miscalculating could mean paying more than you need to or having a charger that doesn’t really cover your daily needs.
7kW vs 22kW chargers: what are the key differences? Although a 22kW charger sounds good on paper, it’s not the right choice, or even a realistic option, for most UK households.
In this guide, we dissect everything you need to know about the difference between a 7kW and 22kW EV charge point, compare pricing, compatibility, and real-world performance, and help you figure out which type will best suit your needs.
What Is A 7kW EV Charger?
7kW EV chargers are the most common type of home EV charger that exists in the UK. It runs on ordinary single-phase electricity supply, which is what most UK homes already have, making installation fairly simple and usually not needing any significant electrical upgrades.
At 7kW, you’ll add approximately 25 to 30 miles of range in an hour. For the average UK driver covering between 20 and 40 miles a day, an overnight plug-in with a 7kW charger will have you topped up every morning.
Here, we are talking about wall-mounted chargers typically set up in the garage or on an outside wall close to the driveway. Common 7kW models in the UK are the Ohme Home Pro, Zappi, and Andersen A2, all of which offer smart charging features like off-peak scheduling and solar integration.
7kW Home EV Charger Key Features:
- Single-phase, standard power supply in UK homes.
- Charges up to 25 to 30 miles of range in one hour.
- It can be used with almost all EVs in the market today.
- Lower upfront and installation costs.
- OZEV grant (for eligible properties).
- All UK accredited installers can provide it.
What Is A 22kW EV charger?
A 22kW EV charger is a faster AC (alternating current) device that, in theory, can charge your EV at over three times the speed of a standard 7kW unit. A 22kW charger at full output will add approximately 75 to 80 miles of range per hour.
However, and this is an important distinction that many people do not realise, a 22kW charger needs three-phase electricity to work.
Most UK homes do not have three-phase power as standard. It is most typically present in commercial premises, industrial buildings and some rural or newer residential properties.
This means that before you can install a 22kW charger at home, you need to confirm whether your property has three-phase power. If it doesn’t, which is the case for most UK households, you will need to apply for an upgrade from your local network operator (DNO). This process can take weeks and incur considerable costs.
22kW chargers are significantly pricier to buy and install, and the real-world speed benefit is wholly dependent on whether your car’s onboard charger (OBC) can actually take in 22kW of power.
22kW EV Charger Key Features:
- Requires three-phase electricity supply.
- Provides 75 to 80 miles of range added per hour.
- Ideal for commercial use or high-mileage drivers.
- Higher unit and installation cost.
- If your EV supports it, then you can realise the charging speed benefits.
Difference Between 7kW And 22kW EV Chargers: At A Glance
This side-by-side comparison will help you gain a better overview of the differences between a 7kW and 22kW EV charger:
| Feature | 7kW Charger | 22kW Charger |
|---|---|---|
|
Power Supply Required |
Single-Phase |
Three-Phase |
|
Charging Speed |
7 miles of range/hour |
22 miles of range/hour |
|
Charge Time for a 60kW battery |
9 hours |
3 hours |
|
Ideal For |
Home use |
Commercial use |
|
Average Unit Cost |
£700 to £900 |
£1,100 to £1,500 |
|
Installation |
Standard |
Complex |
|
OZEV-Grant Eligible |
Yes |
Yes |
7kW vs 22kW Speed Comparison
The charging speed is the clearest area where a 22kW charger gains an edge, but context is important.
Here’s how the two stack up when charging some of the most popular EVs on UK roads today:
| EV Model | Battery Size (kWh) | 7KW Charge Time | 22kW Charge Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nissan Leaf |
62kWh |
9 hours |
3 hours |
|
Tesla Model 3 |
57.5kWh |
8 hours |
2.5 hours |
|
Volkswagen ID.4 |
77kWh |
11 hours |
3.5 hours |
|
Kia EV6 |
77.4kWh |
11 hours |
3.5 hours |
|
BMW iX |
76.6kWh |
11 hours |
3.5 hours |
|
Renault Zoe |
52kWh |
7.5 hours |
2.5 hours |
Note: Charging times are approximate and may vary based on the vehicle’s onboard charger limit, battery state, and ambient temperature.
Important Note: All of the above-mentioned speeds assume that your EV can accept all of the aforementioned power output. Some models, even newer ones, will have an on-board charger that limits AC charging to 7.4kW. Those cars can still only be charged at a maximum of 7.4kW, even if you put in a 22kW charger. The charger can only take power that the car’s onboard charger will allow.
If your EV’s limit on AC charging is 7.4kW, you won’t get any significant speed benefit from a 22kW unit. This is why the first step is to absolutely check your car’s specs.
7kW and 22kW Power Supply Requirements
Power supply requirements are one of the most critical and most neglected distinctions between the two charger types.
7kW: Single-Phase Power
A 7kW charger operates off a single-phase power supply (which is what most UK homes are connected to). No special infrastructure is required. As long as you have sufficient consumer unit capacity and the appropriate cabling to run to your chosen spot, a competent electrician can usually get a 7kW charger fitted in one day.
22kW: Three-Phase Power
A 22kW charger will require three-phase power, which provides electricity on three separate conductors instead of just one. This makes a much higher power draw possible but simply isn’t available as standard in most UK residential properties.
How to determine if your home has a three-phase supply? The most straightforward method is to examine your electricity meter and consumer unit (also known as a fuse box). For single-phase supply, there is a 60A or 100A cut-out and one main fuse. Then, there is a three-phase supply with three fuses and a larger cut-out labelled 3-phase or 3P.
What if you don’t have three-phase? You would need to apply for a three-phase supply through your local DNO (Distribution Network Operator). But the process can take weeks, requires a formal application, and can cost between £500 and more than £2,000, depending on your area and how near the three-phase network is to your home.
EV Compatibility: Does Your EV Support 22kW?
When considering a 22kW charging unit, you first need to make sure that your electric car can actually take advantage of it. The onboard charger (OBC) limits the speed at which any EV will charge. It is a unit that sits inside the car and converts AC power from the grid into DC power for the battery.
In the UK, most EVs come with a 7.4kW rated OBC as standard. Even cars with big batteries, like the Tesla Model 3 or Volkswagen ID.4, max out at 7.4kW on AC charging. A 22kW charge will not charge them faster.
AC charging capable EVs (11kW to 22kW):
- Renault Zoe (up to 22kW)
- Porsche Taycan (up to 11kW)
- Mercedes EQC and EQS (up to 11 kW)
- BMW i3 (up to 11kW)
- Audi e-tron and Q8 e-tron (maximum 11kW)
How to find out your car’s max AC charging rate? Check the charging or technical specifications section in your vehicle owner’s manual, or do a search on the manufacturer’s site.
7kW Vs 22kW: Cost Comparison
For most homeowners, price matters the most. This is what you can realistically expect to pay in the UK in 2026.
| Cost Factor | 7kW Charger | 22kW Charger |
|---|---|---|
|
Direct Costs (Unit) |
£700 to £900 |
£1,100 to £1,500 |
|
Standard Installation |
£200 to £500 |
£500 to £900 |
|
Electrical Upgrade |
Rarely needed |
£500 to £2,000+ |
|
OZEV Grant |
£350 |
£350 |
|
Overall Estimated Price |
£550 to £1,050 |
£1,150 to £3,700+ |
OZEV Grant (EV Chargepoint Grant): The UK government’s EV Chargepoint Grant currently offers successful applicants up to £350 off the price of installing a home EV charger. This grant is available for 7kW and 22kW chargers installed at domestic properties. To qualify, you must own or have ordered a qualifying EV and have the installation undertaken by an OZEV-approved installer.
Learn more about EV charger grants from our guide: Ultimate Guide To EV Charger Installation Grants & How To Apply For Them
Running Costs: The electricity cost is identical no matter how fast the charger is; you pay for the kWh that you use, not for how quickly it’s coming at you. Time-of-use energy tariffs offer cheaper rates during off-peak periods of the day, usually midnight to 6 a.m., so a useful tip for saving money is to charge your EV during off-peak tariff hours.
A 7kW unit will be drastically cheaper for most homes when you consider that nearly all households will need electrical upgrades to support the high power rating of a 22kW unit.
Want to learn more about the cost of 7kW and 22kW EV chargers? Then see our guide: 7kW EV Charger Installation Cost (2026 Guide) and 22kW EV Charger Installation Cost (2026 Guide)
Home Vs Commercial Use: Which One Is Better?
Let’s see which one is better for home use and which one for commercial use:
7kW: The Right Option For Home Use
For most UK homeowners, a 7kW charger is all they’ll ever need. If you charge your car overnight, as most people do, a 7kW unit will completely fill up a 60 to 80kWh battery in eight to twelve hours. So, by the time you get up, your car is ready.
A 7kW charger will also run on standard single-phase power; it is cheaper to purchase and install and is compatible with all modern EVs on sale. Use smart charging functionality and a time-of-use tariff, and you’ve got yourself a super cheap home charge setup.
22kW: Ideal for Commercial and High-Demand Applications
22kW chargers are far more viable options for commercial environments like car parks, office and retail centres, fleet depots, petrol stations and hotels or workplaces where you’re better off getting cars in and out quickly rather than plugged in overnight.
Such settings tend to already be hooked up to three-phase power, and the quicker charge time makes the early outlay worthwhile if multiple vehicles are turning over each day.
When Does Installing A 22kW At Home Make Sense?
There are some situations where a 22kW installation at home is reasonable. If you already have three-phase power on your property, your EV supports 11kW or 22kW AC charging, you’re a high-mileage driver who relies on topping up quickly, or you have several EVs being charged from the same household, then investing in a 22kW charger may be worth it.
Which EV Charger Is Best For You: The Final Verdict
Here is our final verdict.
Choose A 7kW Charger If:
- You can plug in your EV at night when it is parked at home.
- Your site is supplied with conventional single-phase electricity.
- The maximum AC charging rate your car can take is 7.4kW.
- You are interested in limiting installation costs.
- You have average daily mileage (less than 80 miles).
Choose A 22kW Charger If:
- A three-phase power supply is available at your property.
- Your EV is compatible with 11kW or 22kW AC onboard charging.
- You are a high-mileage driver and want faster top-ups.
- You own and operate a fleet or a commercial property.
- You have multiple EVs in one residential household.
Note: For the typical UK homeowner, a 7kW smart charger remains the most practical, affordable, and future-proof option. In the right circumstances, a 22kW charger offers real benefits, but those circumstances don’t apply to most domestic users.
The key steps are to check your home’s power supply, verify the maximum AC charging rate of your vehicle, and consult a qualified installer before making any moves.
Find The Best EV Charger Installers With ComparedExperts Today!
Whether you’ve settled on a 7kW or a 22kW charger or you are still considering your options, choosing the right installer at the right price is just as important as choosing the right charger.
At ComparedExperts, we can put you in touch with multiple vetted, OZEV-approved EV charger installers across the UK. You just fill in a short form, and we take care of doing the legwork to find trusted local specialists who can assess your property, confirm you meet eligibility for the OZEV grant and provide competitive quotes all for free with no obligation.
Stop overpaying. Start comparing. You can use ComparedExperts today to get free quotes from reputable EV charger installers across the UK.
FAQs
Yes, but only if you have a three-phase electricity supply on your property. Most UK homes don’t; they are powered with single-phase electricity, meaning AC chargers are limited to 7.4kW. If you lack a three-phase supply, in addition to seeking a variety of new equipment, you’ll also need to contact your DNO (Distribution Network Operator) and potentially pay for an upgrade, which can be a lengthy process.
Yes, absolutely. You can’t run a 22kW charger on a single-phase supply. It needs three-phase electricity to deliver its full output. If your home has only single-phase power, as is the case in the majority of UK properties, a 22kW charger will not work.
In 2026, a 7kW smart charger is the best choice for most UK homeowners. It suits any kind of modern EV, works on standard single-phase power, and is eligible for the OZEV grant, with the option to upgrade it with smart features such as off-peak scheduling or solar integration. Popular models are the Ohme Home Pro, Zappi, and Andersen A2.
