EV charging guide
7 kW, 11 kW or 22 kW: which home EV charger?
The kW rating is the most a charger can deliver. What you actually get is limited by two other things: your home's power supply, and the most your car can accept on AC charging.
The three common sizes
Up to 7 kW (single-phase)
A 32 A charger on a single-phase supply delivers about 7.4 kW. This is the most common home charger and suits most single-phase homes.
11 kW (three-phase)
16 A on each of three phases. Needs a three-phase supply. Many cars' onboard chargers accept up to 11 kW on AC, so this is often the practical maximum.
22 kW (three-phase)
32 A on each of three phases. Only faster than 11 kW if your car's onboard charger accepts 22 kW on AC. Check your car's specification before paying for it.
What it means in kilometres
A charger's kW rating is roughly how many kWh it adds to the battery in an hour. How far that takes you depends on your car's energy use, shown in kWh per 100 km in its specifications.
As an example, for a car that uses 16 kWh per 100 km: a 7.4 kW charger adds about 46 km of range per hour, an 11 kW charger about 69 km, and a 22 kW charger about 138 km if the car can accept it. Over eight hours overnight, a 7.4 kW charger adds about 59 kWh, more than most people drive in a day.
How to choose
- Check your car's maximum AC charging rate: a charger faster than that won't charge it any faster
- Find out whether your home is single- or three-phase before choosing a three-phase charger
- Think about your daily driving: if the car sits plugged in overnight, 7 kW is usually plenty
- If you have solar, a solar-aware charger may matter more than raw speed
- If you're likely to change cars, ask about a charger that can be set to a higher rate later
Queensland homes can now have 7 kW without a network device
From 1 October 2026, Energex and Ergon Energy Network no longer require a network control device or dynamic connection for a single-phase 32 A charger. Before that, single-phase chargers above 20 A (about 4.6 kW) needed one.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on 7 October 2026. Rules and programs change, so confirm details with your installer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 22 kW charger worth it?
Only if your home has three-phase power and your car accepts 22 kW on AC. Many cars are limited to 11 kW or less on AC, so a 22 kW charger would charge them at the same speed as an 11 kW one.
Can I use a three-phase charger on single-phase power?
Some chargers can run on either, but on a single-phase supply they're limited to single-phase speeds. Ask your installer before buying.
Not sure which size suits your home?
Installers will check your supply and your car. Compare quotes from up to 3 who service your area.
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