A 22kW AC charger can make sense at home, but three things have to line up: your electricity supply, the charger installation and the car. Buying a unit with 22kW on the box does not mean your car will charge at that speed.
Start with how much energy you need to put back each day and how long the car is parked. If your current charging window comfortably covers that, a faster unit may solve a problem you do not have.
Check the electricity supply first
For 22kW home AC charging, you need a suitable three-phase supply. A single-phase installation is normally in the 7kW class. As a product example, myenergi lists its single-phase zappi at up to 7.4kW and its three-phase version at up to 22kW, depending on the vehicle.
If you do not know which supply you have, we can check it as part of the installation assessment. The available capacity and other equipment in the property matter as well. A heat pump, electric shower or second charger needs to be considered alongside the car.
A supply upgrade is a separate piece of work from fitting a charge point. Establish whether it is needed and get its scope and cost confirmed before buying equipment. We do not quote a standard upgrade price here because it depends on the property and network requirements.
Then check the car’s AC charging limit
Look for the maximum AC charging rate in the specification for your exact model and year. Do not use its headline DC rapid-charging figure. They describe different charging arrangements.
For example, a car limited to 11kW AC cannot take 22kW from a home AC charge point. It may still charge faster than on a 7kW installation if the supply and setup support 11kW, but it will not use the full rating on the box. myenergi explains how the car’s onboard charger sets this limit.
The same principle applies to a lower-rated car. Check its single-phase and three-phase capabilities, rather than assuming every EV benefits equally.
What difference would it make to a normal top-up?
Compare the energy needed for your next journeys, rather than an empty-to-full battery every night. The calculation below uses a 20kWh top-up at a constant effective charging power: energy divided by power. It is an illustration, not a measured result or a promised charging time.
| Effective power | Calculation | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| 7kW | 20 ÷ 7 | 2 hours 51 minutes |
| 11kW | 20 ÷ 11 | 1 hour 49 minutes |
| 22kW | 20 ÷ 22 | 55 minutes |
Real sessions can take longer. Charging losses, the vehicle’s controls, battery conditions and the power available at the time all affect the result. Use the actual rate your setup can sustain, not the charger’s maximum rating. Load management may reduce the rate while other equipment is using electricity.
When is the extra power worth considering?
It is worth looking at if you already have a suitable supply, your car accepts more than 7kW AC, and you regularly need a substantial top-up during a short stop at home.
For a car parked overnight, work through the numbers first. In the simplified example above, 7kW provides the 20kWh top-up in under three hours before losses. If that fits your routine with room to spare, paying for a supply upgrade may offer little practical benefit.
Two cars need a separate assessment. A single faster charger does not charge both at once. Think about parking positions, who gets home first, departure times and whether two points with shared capacity would suit you better. For staff or fleet parking, see our workplace charging options.
Charging speed and charging cost are different questions
A faster charger does not automatically make each unit of electricity cheaper. It could help fit a larger top-up into a cheaper tariff window, but compare that benefit with the installation cost and the rest of your household bill. Our overnight charging guide walks through that comparison.
Solar changes when you might want to charge. A 22kW rating does not mean your panels can supply 22kW, or that the car will be at home when they generate. Check solar-surplus controls and any home battery together. See how solar affects household EV charging savings for worked examples.
What to send us for a charger quote
- Your car model and year, including a second EV if relevant.
- Your normal mileage and the hours the car is parked at home.
- Where you park and where you would like the charger.
- Whether you have solar, a battery, a heat pump or another large electrical load.
- Your supply type if you already know it. If you do not, say so.
Glow Electric installs EV chargers across Belfast and Northern Ireland. We will assess the supply, cable route and charging requirements before recommending a setup. See our current chargers and installation offers, or ask for an EV charger quote.
Questions about 22kW home charging
Will a 22kW charger charge an 11kW car at 22kW?
No. An 11kW AC limit in the car remains a limit even when the charge point can offer more. The supply, installation settings and other loads can reduce the rate further.
Do I need three-phase electricity for 22kW home AC charging?
Yes. Reaching 22kW with this type of home AC charger needs a suitable three-phase supply, a compatible installation and a car able to accept that rate.
Is 22kW cheaper to run than 7kW?
A higher charging rate does not by itself reduce the price per kWh. It may help fit more charging into a cheaper tariff window, but only if the car and installation can use the extra power.