You want to charge your electric car at home, but which one charging station matches your electric car? The answer does not depend solely on the charging station. The car's maximum AC charging capacity, the on-board charger, the number of phases in your connection, the available power, and your daily driving habits also determine which charging solution makes sense.
For example, a 22 kW charging station is not automatically faster than an 11 kW model. 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, making a good choice always starts with the car's specifications.
With the Bar2Charge Car Selection Guide You can select your car make and model and view suitable charging solutions. In this guide, we first explain what to look out for.
Which charging station do I need for my car?
Check at least these points before choosing a charging station:
- the maximum AC charging capacity of your car;
- whether the car supports 1-phase or 3-phase AC charging;
- the type of plug used, usually Type 2 in modern European EVs;
- the capacity and configuration of your meter cupboard;
- whether you have a fixed charging station or mobile home charger want;
- features such as app control, RFID, delayed charging and load balancing;
- whether you want to take a future electric car into account.
Step 1: Check your car's maximum AC charging capacity
Electric cars have a built-in AC onboard charger. This determines the maximum amount of alternating current the car can convert to charge the battery. Common AC charging capacities are 3.7 kW, 7.4 kW, 11 kW, and 22 kW.
| Load capacity | Commonly used connection | 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 theoretical nominal values. The actual available charging capacity may be lower due to the car, electrical system, temperature, battery charge status, and other conditions.
Step 2: 1-phase or 3-phase charging station?
With a single-phase connection, the charging current is supplied over one phase. With a suitable three-phase installation, the car can charge over three phases. As a result, 11 kW is possible with 16 A per phase, for example.
If you have a car that supports 11 kW AC and a suitable 3-phase connection, then a 11 kW charging station often a logical combination for home use. If your car supports 22 kW AC and your installation can supply sufficient power, then a 22 kW charging station be interesting.
For a comprehensive comparison, also read 11 kW or 22 kW charging station: which one do you need?
Step 3: Which charging plug does my electric car have?
For AC charging is Type 2 the standard connection for modern electric cars in Europe. However, it is wise to check the plug type of your specific model and year, especially for older or imported vehicles.
The charging station can have a fixed Type 2 cable or a Type 2 socket into which you insert a separate charging cable used. A fixed cable is convenient for everyday home use; a socket provides more flexibility in cable length and replacement.
Step 4: choose the right load capacity
3.7 kW: simple 1-phase charging
3.7 kW corresponds to approximately 16 A on a single phase.This may be suitable for cars with lower AC charging capacity, plug-in hybrids, or situations where high charging speed is not necessary.
7.4 kW: more powerful 1-phase charging
7.4 kW requires approximately 32 A on a single phase. Whether this is available and desirable at home depends on the connection and electrical installation. A car that accepts a maximum of 16 A on a single phase will not suddenly charge at 7.4 kW at a 7.4 kW charging point.
11 kW: popular choice for 3-phase home charging
11 kW is achieved with 3-phase 16 A. For many modern EVs with an 11 kW AC on-board charger, this is a practical combination of speed and power. The car can recharge a significant amount of energy during extended parking periods without the need for 22 kW.
22 kW: maximum flexibility with 3-phase AC
22 kW uses a maximum of 32 A per phase. This is particularly interesting when the car actually supports 22 kW AC or when you deliberately want extra capacity for future vehicles. Naturally, the installation and main connection must be able to handle the chosen power.
How long does it take to charge my electric car?
A simple theoretical calculation is:
required energy in kWh ÷ charging capacity in kW = charging time in hours.
If you want to add 44 kWh, for example, that theoretically takes:
- at 3.7 kW: approximately 11 hours and 54 minutes;
- at 7.4 kW: approximately 5 hours and 57 minutes;
- at 11 kW: approximately 4 hours;
- at 22 kW: approximately 2 hours.
These examples assume a constant power output and do not take charging losses or power limiting into account. A car with a maximum of 11 kW AC will remain around its own maximum at a 22 kW charging station.
Which charging station for a plug-in hybrid?
A plug-in hybrid typically has a smaller battery than a fully electric car and may have a lower maximum AC charging capacity. As a result, an 11 or 22 kW charging station is not automatically faster. Always check the on-board charger of the specific model.
For some PHEV drivers, a mobile home charger be practical, for example when flexibility is more important than a fixed installation.
Fixed charging station or mobile home charger?
A fixed charging station is suitable if you want a permanent charging spot at home or for business. Depending on the model, features such as app control, RFID, charging scheduling, and load balancing are available.
A mobile home charger is particularly convenient when you want to be able to charge at multiple locations or take the charger with you. Here too, the connection used must be suitable for the required current, and the installation must be carried out safely.
Do I need load balancing?
While charging, other appliances in the house also use electricity. Think of an induction hob, heat pump, boiler, or other heavy consumers. With a compatible system, load balancing Adjusting the charging power to the current power consumption, so that the available capacity is distributed more intelligently.
You can read more about this in our guide. What is load balancing at a charging station?
Which features are important for a charging station?
In addition to power, features are important for daily use.Depending on the model, you can pay attention to:
- App: view charging status, manage settings, or schedule charging;
- RFID: access to the charging station with a card or tag;
- Plug & Start: connect and start charging immediately;
- Load balancing: match load capacity to available capacity;
- MID-meter: interesting when certified energy metering is required for billing;
- fixed cable or socket: choice between convenience and flexibility;
- adjustable charging current: adjust the maximum power to the situation.
Which charging station is suitable for my car brand?
Searching by car brand alone is often not sufficient. Within a single brand, models can have different batteries, onboard chargers, and charging capacities. Even trim levels or model years can differ.
Therefore, Bar2Charge has a Car Selection Guide by make and model. First select your car make, and then the exact model. You will then see charging solutions that match the available vehicle data.
This way, you can search specifically for electric and plug-in hybrid models from popular brands, among others, without having to compare all the technical specifications side by side yourself.
Can I buy a more powerful charging station than my car needs?
Yes. A car does not simply draw the maximum power from the charging station; the charging process is limited by what the vehicle and the installation support. Therefore, an 11 kW car can charge at a 22 kW charging station, but does not receive a 22 kW AC charging speed as a result.
A more powerful charging station can be interesting due to future cars, features, or flexibility. However, don't just pay for a higher number: look at what you can actually use.
Safe home charging: have the installation checked
A charging point is a prolonged electrical load. Proper protection, cable cross-section, earth leakage protection, circuit, and connection are therefore important. The applicable installation requirements depend on the charging station, the home, and the existing electrical installation.
Have a fixed installation and any modifications to the meter cabinet carried out or assessed by a qualified installer in accordance with applicable regulations and the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a charging station
Which charging station do I need for a car that can charge at 11 kW?
With a suitable 3-phase installation, an 11 kW charging station technically connects well to a car with a maximum AC charging capacity of 11 kW. A 22 kW charging station can also be used, but the car will continue to draw a maximum of its own 11 kW.
Can every electric car connect to a 22 kW charging station?
Many Type 2 cars can be connected to a 22 kW AC charging point, but not every car can actually charge at 22 kW. The maximum AC charging capacity of the on-board charger remains the determining factor.
What is better: a charging station with a fixed cable or a socket?
A fixed cable is quick and easy for daily use. A socket offers more freedom to choose your own cable length or to replace the cable separately. Which option is better depends mainly on your usage situation.
How do I know how many kW my car can charge?
Check the technical specifications of the specific model and year of manufacture or use the Bar2Charge Car Selection Guide. Pay specific attention to the maximum AC charging capacity; DC fast charging capacity is a different specification.
Is the battery capacity the same as the charging capacity?
No.Battery capacity is expressed in kWh and indicates how much energy the battery can store. Charging capacity is expressed in kW and indicates how quickly energy can be transferred at a given moment.
Find the right charging station for your car
So you choose the right charging station based on car and electrical connection. Start with your vehicle's maximum AC charging capacity, check whether it is 1- or 3-phase, look at your fuse box, and then determine which features are important to you.
Don't want to figure out all the technical details yourself? Select your vehicle in the Bar2Charge Car Selection Guide. If you want to compare immediately, take a look. all charging stations, mobile home chargers and charging cables.