11 kW or 22 kW charging station: which do you need?

A 11 kW or 22 kW charging station At first glance, choosing seems primarily a choice between fast and faster charging. In practice, however, things are different. The maximum charging capacity is determined by a combination of your electric car, the built-in AC on-board charger, your meter box and the charging station. So, a 22 kW charging station does not suddenly make a car with an 11 kW on-board charger twice as fast.

In this guide, we explain the difference between 11 kW and 22 kW, the amperage and phases required for each, and when a 22 kW charging station truly offers benefits. This way, you choose a charging solution that suits not only today but also your next electric car.

What is the difference between an 11 kW and a 22 kW charging station?

Both power levels are achieved with 400 V between the phases in a standard European 3-phase connection. A 11 kW charging station uses a maximum of 16 A per phase. For 22 kW A maximum of 32 A per phase is required. The car then determines how much of that is actually drawn.

Theoretical maximum. Actual charging speed may be lower due to factors including the onboard charger, battery temperature, charge status, and available grid capacity.

Your car's onboard charger determines the maximum AC charging speed.

This is the most important point when making the choice. The onboard charger converts alternating current (AC) from the charging station to direct current for the battery. If your car can charge at a maximum of 11 kW AC, it will still draw a maximum of approximately 11 kW from a 22 kW charging station.

Therefore, a 22 kW charging station is not automatically faster. It primarily provides extra capacity when your current or future car actually supports 22 kW AC.

Not sure what your car supports? Use our Car Selection Guide to view suitable charging solutions by car make and model.

How fast does 11 kW charge?

At 11 kW, approximately 11 kWh of energy is theoretically added per hour. A charge from, for example, 20 to 80 percent with a usable 60 kWh battery requires approximately 36 kWh. Without charging losses, this would take about 3 hours and 16 minutes. In reality, you must take charging losses and variations in charging capacity into account.

For many EV drivers, 11 kW at home is more than enough, because a car is often parked for several hours or the entire night.

How fast does 22 kW charge?

When both the car and the installation support 22 kW, approximately 22 kWh can theoretically be charged per hour. The same 36 kWh from the example would theoretically take about 1 hour and 38 minutes, excluding charging losses.

The difference is therefore significant. only when the car can draw 22 kW AC. If the car supports 11 kW, the charging time remains practically the same as that of an 11 kW charging point.

Which meter cabinet do you need for 11 kW?

For 11 kW charging, a 3-phase connection with 16 A charging current per phase used. The available capacity of the main connection remains important: the home uses electricity simultaneously for, for example, cooking, a heat pump, or other equipment.

Therefore, can load balancing could be interesting. Depending on the system, the charging station can then adjust the charging capacity to the current electricity consumption of the home.

Which meter cabinet do you need for 22 kW?

22 kW requires a maximum of 22 kW with 3-phase charging 32 A per phase. This does not mean that every home with a 3-phase connection automatically has a continuous 22 kW available. The capacity of the main connection, other consumers, the installation, and any grid limitations play a role.

Therefore, have your connection's actual capacity checked before installation. Furthermore, a charging station suitable for up to 22 kW can often be set to a lower power output, for example 16 A per phase.

Is a 22 kW charging station more future-proof?

That is possible. A 22 kW model offers higher maximum capacity and can be interesting if you expect a car later that supports faster AC charging, or when the same charging station is used by different vehicles. However, future-proof does not mean that everyone needs 22 kW.

A high-quality 11 kW charging station can actually be the most logical choice for a home and car with a maximum of 11 kW AC. Therefore, look at the complete situation instead of just the highest number.

11 kW or 22 kW for a plug-in hybrid?

With a plug-in hybrid, the car's maximum AC charging power is often lower than 11 or 22 kW. A powerful charging station can safely work with such a vehicle, but the car only draws the power supported by its onboard charger. Therefore, a 22 kW charging station does not deliver a 22 kW charging speed to such a car.

What if you only have single-phase?

In that case, you cannot simply charge at 11 kW or 22 kW using 3-phase. With single-phase, for example, charging capacities such as 3.7 kW (16 A) and 7.4 kW (32 A) occur, depending on the connection and installation. Also read our guide. Which connection do you need to charge at home?

When should you choose an 11 kW charging station?

• Your car supports a maximum of 11 kW AC.
• You mainly want to charge at home in the evening and at night.
• You have a suitable 3-phase installation.
• You do not need the practical benefit of 22 kW.
• You are looking for a good balance between charging speed and available grid capacity.

View the current selection home charging stations.

When should you choose a 22 kW charging station?

• Your car supports 22 kW AC, or you want to take a future vehicle into account.
• Your electrical installation can safely deliver the desired power.
• You want maximum flexibility and the ability to limit the charging current when necessary.
• The charging station is used by multiple vehicles with different charging capacities.
• Faster AC charging offers a real benefit in your daily use.

11 kW versus 22 kW: calculation example

Suppose you want to add 40 kWh to the battery. At a constant theoretical power, this takes approximately:

• 11 kW: 40 ÷ 11 = approximately 3 hours and 38 minutes.
• 22 kW: 40 ÷ 22 = approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes.

However, if the same car drives at a maximum of 11 kW AC, the charging session at both charging stations will take approximately the same amount of time. This is precisely why the car's charging capacity must be checked before purchase.

Which charging station suits your electric car?

The best charging station is not necessarily the most powerful. Check the following in succession: maximum AC charging capacity of the car, the number of phases, the available capacity of the meter cabinet, the desired functions, and your future plans.

Bar2Charge has developed an extensive selection of vehicles for this. Select your make and model in the Car Selection Guide and see which charging solutions suit your car. Do you want to compare the full range first? Then view our charging stations or our mobile home chargers.

Frequently asked questions about 11 kW and 22 kW charging stations

Can I use a 22 kW charging station if my car only supports 11 kW?

Yes. The car and charging station communicate with each other, and the car does not draw more AC charging power than it supports. However, in that case, you will not get a 22 kW charging speed.

Is 22 kW twice as fast as 11 kW?

Theoretically, 22 kW can deliver twice as much energy per hour. In practice, however, this only applies if the car, the installation, and the available power capacity support 22 kW.

Is 11 kW enough for home charging?

For many households and electric cars, 11 kW is a practical charging speed, especially when the car is parked at home for several hours. The right choice remains dependent on the vehicle and the connection.

Can a 22 kW charging station be set to 11 kW?

With many 22 kW charging stations, the maximum charging current can be limited. Always check this for the specific model and have the electrical installation correctly sized.

Do I need load balancing?

Not in every situation, but it can be useful when the available grid capacity is shared with other large consumers. Read our detailed explanation about load balancing at a charging station.

Conclusion: choose based on car and connection

A 11 kW charging station is a strong choice for many electric cars and home situations. A 22 kW charging station offers extra capacity and flexibility, but only delivers faster charging when your car and electrical installation also support that power.

Therefore, before purchasing, do not just check the number on the charging station. Look at the onboard charger, phases, amperage, meter box, and your future charging needs. This way, you invest in a charging solution that actually suits your situation.

Check immediately? Go to the Bar2Charge Car Selection Guide or view all charging stations.