When buying an AC charger in Europe, the choice usually comes down to 11 kW or 22 kW. The 22 kW option sounds twice as good, and on paper it is. In practice, most cars cannot use it, installation can be more demanding and the grid connection may not allow it. For other sites, 22 kW is exactly right.
This guide compares both options and gives recommendations by site type.
- 11 kW (three-phase, 16 A) matches the on-board charger of most cars in Europe today.
- 22 kW (three-phase, 32 A) only charges faster for cars with a 22 kW on-board charger, a minority of models.
- 22 kW needs heavier cabling and protection and, in some countries, network operator approval.
- For public and shared sites, 22 kW hardware with load management offers flexibility for the future.
The numbers
| Aspect | 11 kW | 22 kW |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | Three-phase, 16 A | Three-phase, 32 A |
| Range added per hour (at ~18 kWh/100 km) | About 60 km | About 120 km (if the car supports 22 kW) |
| Cars that benefit fully | Most current EVs | Only cars with a 22 kW on-board charger |
| Cabling and protection | Smaller cable, 16 A protection | Larger cable cross-section, 32 A protection |
| Grid impact | Moderate | Higher; approval may be required |
Will a 22 kW wallbox charge my car faster?
Only if the car's on-board charger supports 22 kW. Most current models charge at a maximum of 11 kW on AC, some at 7.4 kW on a single phase. Plugged into a 22 kW wallbox, these cars still charge at their own maximum. The wallbox offers power; the car decides how much to take. Our guide to single-phase and three-phase charging explains this in detail.
Installation and grid requirements
- Cabling: 32 A per phase requires a larger cable cross-section than 16 A, especially over longer distances, which raises installation costs.
- Protection: breakers, residual current protection and the distribution board must match the higher current.
- Grid connection: the building's connection must be able to supply an additional 22 kW, or load management must limit it.
- Network operator rules: several countries require notification of all wallboxes and approval for higher-power units. In Germany, for example, chargers above 12 kVA need the network operator's approval, while smaller ones must be notified.
Cost comparison
The hardware price difference between 11 kW and 22 kW versions of the same wallbox is often small, and many models can be configured to either power. The real difference is usually installation: cable size, distance to the distribution board and whether the supply needs upgrading. A 22 kW unit installed with 11 kW cabling can be limited in software and upgraded later only if the cabling is replaced.
Recommendations by site type
| Site | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Private home | 11 kW | Covers overnight charging for almost all cars; simpler installation and approval |
| Workplace | 11 kW per point with load management | Cars park for hours; more points matter more than higher power |
| Hotel, restaurant, retail | 22 kW-capable hardware, load-managed | Visitors with 22 kW cars benefit; power shared when many cars charge |
| Public on-street AC | 22 kW | Serves every car at its maximum; common standard for public AC |
| Fleet depot | Match the fleet's on-board chargers | Avoid paying for capacity no vehicle can use |
Load management makes the choice easier
With load management, the total power of all chargers can exceed the grid connection, because the system shares the available capacity dynamically. Installing 22 kW-capable points on a shared site then costs little extra in grid terms: when few cars charge, each gets more; when many charge, power is shared. Our guide to smart charging and load management explains how this works over OCPP.
Choose a networked, OCPP-capable wallbox
Whatever the power, a wallbox for a business or shared site should be networked and OCPP-capable. That allows remote monitoring, access control with RFID or app, billing per driver and load management, and keeps you free to change software provider later. Our guide to connecting a charger to an OCPP server shows the setup steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is 11 kW enough for home charging?
Yes, for almost everyone. 11 kW adds around 60 km of range per hour, so a typical daily distance is recovered in an hour or two and a full charge happens overnight.
Can I install a 22 kW wallbox and limit it to 11 kW?
Yes, many wallboxes can be configured or limited remotely. This is useful if the cabling or grid connection only allows 11 kW today.
Why do public AC chargers usually offer 22 kW?
To serve every car at its own maximum, including those with 22 kW on-board chargers. Cars with lower limits simply take less.
Does a 22 kW charger cost more to run?
The energy price per kWh is the same. Costs differ only if your electricity tariff includes demand or capacity charges based on peak power, which load management can control.
Manage 11 kW and 22 kW chargers of any brand with load management, RFID access and live monitoring in one platform. Explore Üreticy OCPP software or contact us.