A charging electric car at home For many EV drivers, charging is the easiest way to leave every day with sufficient range. You park the car, plug in the charging cable, and use the hours when the car is stationary anyway to top up the battery. But what exactly do you need to charge safely and practically at home?
The right solution depends on your car, the maximum AC charging capacity, your fuse box, the number of phases, and how you want to charge. In this complete guide, we explain the difference between a fixed charging station and a mobile home charger, how many kW you need, and when features such as load balancing are beneficial.
What do you need to charge an electric car at home?
For a good home charging solution, the car and the electrical installation must be compatible. Therefore, check at least the maximum AC charging capacity of the car, 1- or 3-phase, the capacity of the meter cabinet, the plug type, and the desired load capacity.
Not sure what load capacity your car supports? Select your make and model in the Bar2Charge Car Selection Guide.
How does home charging of an electric car work?
During normal home charging, a charging point supplies alternating current (AC) to the car. The car's built-in onboard charger converts this current for storage in the battery. As a result, not only the charging station but also the car onboard charger how fast you can actually charge.
Can your car charge at a maximum of 11 kW AC? Then a charging station that is technically capable of delivering 22 kW will not allow the car to charge at 22 kW. The car remains limited to its own maximum AC charging capacity.
Home charging station: 3.7 kW, 7.4 kW, 11 kW or 22 kW?
| Load capacity | Configuration | Current |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7 kW | 1-phase | 16 A |
| 7.4 kW | 1-phase | 32 A |
| 11 kW | 3-phase | 16 A per phase |
| 22 kW | 3-phase | 32 A per phase |
These are nominal values. The actual charging speed may be lower due to the car, available grid capacity, charging status, temperature, and other conditions.
3.7 and 7.4 kW home charging
3.7 kW corresponds to approximately 16 A on a single phase. 7.4 kW uses approximately 32 A on a single phase. The achievable speed depends on both the car and the electrical installation.
11 kW home charging
11 kW is achieved with 16 A per phase in a suitable 3-phase installation. Many modern electric cars support 11 kW AC, making this a practical combination for many households.
22 kW home charging
22 kW requires a maximum of 32 A per phase and is only truly faster when the car can draw 22 kW AC and the installation has sufficient capacity. Read also 11 kW or 22 kW charging station: which one do you need?
1-phase or 3-phase home charging?
With single-phase charging, the charging current flows over one phase. With three-phase charging, the power is distributed over three phases. A suitable three-phase connection enables, for example, 11 kW charging at 16 A per phase.
You can check which connection you have and how much power is available in the meter cupboard or have it assessed by a qualified installer. A 3-phase connection does not automatically mean that 22 kW is continuously available.
Fixed charging station or mobile home charger?
A fixed charging station is intended for a permanent charging station at home or at work. Depending on the model, features such as app control, RFID, charging scheduling, adjustable current, and load balancing are available.
A mobile home charger This is useful when you want to take the charging solution with you or use it on multiple suitable connections. The connection, cabling, and protection used must always be suitable for the load.
Can I charge my electric car using a regular wall socket?
Technically, certain electric cars can charge via a household socket using a suitable portable charging cable. However, an EV is a prolonged and relatively heavy load. The condition of the wall socket, circuit, wiring, and electrical installation is therefore important.
Do not use just any extension cable or power strip for prolonged EV charging, and have the installation assessed if in doubt. For frequent home charging, a dedicated charging facility may be a better solution.
Which charging cable do you need at home?
In modern European electric cars, Type 2 the standard connection for AC charging. A charging station can have a fixed Type 2 cable or a socket for which you use a separate cable.
View our Type 2 charging cables or read Which charging cable fits my electric car?
How long does charging at home take?
A simple theoretical calculation is: required energy (kWh) ÷ charging capacity (kW) = charging time in hours.
For example, if you want to add 33 kWh, this theoretically takes about 8 hours and 55 minutes at 3.7 kW, 4 hours and 28 minutes at 7.4 kW, 3 hours at 11 kW, and 1 hour and 30 minutes at 22 kW. In practice, charging losses and the limitations of the on-board charger play a role.
What is load balancing for home charging?
A charging station shares the electrical connection with the rest of your home. With a compatible installation, load balancing Adjusting the charging capacity to the available capacity, so that the power is distributed more intelligently.
Read our full explanation about load balancing at a charging station.
Home charging with solar panels
If you have solar panels, home charging can be interesting because a portion of the energy can be used directly in the car during periods of production. How much of your own solar power actually goes to the car depends on production, household consumption, charging capacity, and the capabilities of the charging solution. Not every charging station automatically supports smart solar charging.
Is home charging cheaper than public charging?
Charging at home can be advantageous, but the exact difference depends on your electricity contract, tariff schedule, any solar panels, and the rates at public charging points. One advantage is that at home you have more control over when you charge and at what electricity rate.
Which features are useful on a home charging station?
- App control for settings and charge status, depending on the model.
- RFID for access with card or tag.
- Plug & Start for easy loading.
- Delayed loading to schedule a charging session.
- Adjustable current to adjust the maximum load capacity.
- Load balancing to match power to the available capacity.
- MID-meter when certified energy metering is required for specific billing purposes.
Which charging station suits my electric car?
The best home charger is not automatically the most powerful. A charging station must match the car's maximum AC charging capacity as well as the electrical installation.Use the Bar2Charge Car Selection Guide or read Which charging station suits my electric car?
Safely charge an electric car at home
An electric car can draw a relatively high current for hours at a time. A correctly designed electrical installation is therefore important. Consider suitable cabling, protection, residual current protection, circuit breaker, and dimensioning according to the charging solution and applicable regulations.
Have a fixed charging station and necessary modifications to the meter box installed or assessed by a qualified installer, and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Frequently asked questions about home charging
How many kW do I need at home?
That depends mainly on the maximum AC charging capacity of your car and your electrical connection. A car that supports a maximum of 11 kW AC will not automatically charge faster at a 22 kW charging station.
Is 11 kW enough for home use?
For many EV drivers, 11 kW is a practical charging speed, especially since the car is often parked at home for several hours.
Do I need 3-phase for a charging station?
Not for every charging solution. 3.7 and 7.4 kW, for example, occur with single-phase charging. For 11 and 22 kW AC, a suitable three-phase installation is normally used.
Can I use a 22 kW charging station for an 11 kW car?
Yes, provided the charging station, installation, and vehicle are compatible. The car draws a maximum of the power supported by its on-board charger.
What is better: a fixed charging station or a mobile charger?
A fixed charging station offers convenience at a permanent parking space. A mobile charger offers more flexibility when you want to charge at various suitable locations.
Conclusion: home charging starts with your car and meter box
Who a wants to charge electric car at home, It is advisable not to look solely at the highest charging capacity. First check what the car can charge via AC, then what the electrical installation can safely deliver, and subsequently choose the charging solution with the features that suit your usage.
Check immediately? Use the Car Selection Guide, view all charging stations or compare our mobile home chargers.