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EV Charging Guide

22kW EV Charger Guide UK

Charge 3x faster than 7kW. Everything you need to know about 22kW chargers for your business - costs, speeds, and whether it's right for you.

Calculate EV Revenue22kW vs 7kW
22kW
Max Power Output
70-80
Miles/Hour Added
2-3hr
Typical Full Charge
£2.5-5k
Installed Cost

What is a 22kW EV Charger?

A 22kW charger is a "fast" AC (alternating current) charger that delivers power at up to 22 kilowatts. It's the fastest AC charging option available and sits between standard 7kW home chargers and rapid 50kW+ DC chargers.

3x Faster Than 7kW

Delivers 70-80 miles of range per hour vs 20-25 miles from 7kW

Three-Phase Required

Needs commercial three-phase power supply (not standard single-phase)

Ideal for 1-3hr Stays

Perfect for gyms, retail, restaurants where customers stay a few hours

22kW vs 7kW EV Charger Comparison

Feature7kW Charger22kW Charger
Charging Speed20-25 miles/hour70-80 miles/hour
Time to Add 100 Miles4-5 hours1.5 hours
Full Charge (60kWh)6-8 hours2-3 hours
Unit Cost£500-£1,000£1,500-£3,000
Installation Cost£300-£500£1,000-£2,000
Total Installed£800-£1,500£2,500-£5,000
Power SupplySingle-phase (standard)Three-phase required
Best ForAll-day workplace parking, homesRetail, gyms, restaurants, hotels

The Business Case for 22kW

While 22kW costs 2-3x more to install, it serves 3x more vehicles per parking space per day. For destinations with 1-3 hour customer stays, 22kW dramatically improves charger utilisation and revenue potential.

Which EVs Can Charge at 22kW?

Not all EVs can use 22kW AC charging. The car's onboard charger limits AC speed regardless of chargepoint capacity.

Full 22kW Support

  • • Renault Zoe (22kW onboard)
  • • Porsche Taycan (22kW option)
  • • Mercedes EQS/EQE (22kW option)
  • • Some Kia EV6/Hyundai Ioniq 5 variants
  • • Smart #1 and #3
  • • MG4 (some versions)

Limited to 7-11kW

  • • Tesla Model 3/Y (11kW max AC)
  • • Tesla Model S/X (16.5kW max)
  • • VW ID.3/ID.4 (11kW max)
  • • BMW iX/i4 (11kW max)
  • • Audi e-tron (11kW max)
  • • Nissan Leaf (6.6kW max)

Note: EVs limited to 7-11kW can still use 22kW chargers - they just won't charge faster than their onboard limit.

22kW Charger Installation Requirements

Cost Breakdown

  • 22kW Charger Unit£1,500 - £3,000
  • Installation Labour£500 - £1,000
  • Electrical Work (3-phase)£500 - £1,500
  • Three-phase Supply (if needed)£1,000 - £3,000
  • Typical Total£2,500 - £5,000

Technical Requirements

  • ✓Three-phase supply: 400V, 32A per phase minimum
  • ✓Distribution board: Space for 32A Type B MCB
  • ✓Cable run: 6mm² or 10mm² depending on distance
  • ✓Earth rod: May be required for PME supplies
  • ✓DNO notification: Required for >3.68kW per phase

Popular 22kW Charger Models UK (2026)

ModelPrice (Unit)Key FeaturesBest For
MyEnergi Zappi v2.1£1,500-£1,800Solar integration (Eco+ mode), built-in PEN protection, smart tariff compatibleSolar + EV combo
Easee One/Charge£1,200-£1,500Compact design, daisy-chain load balancing, swappable coversMultiple chargers
Hypervolt Home 3 Pro£1,400-£1,700Premium aesthetics, status lighting, solar compatible, PEN protectionDesign-conscious
Tesla Wall Connector£1,100-£1,300Seamless Tesla app integration, glass-front design, Wi-FiTesla owners
EO Genius 2£1,500-£2,000OCPP 1.6 compliant, RFID authentication, fleet managementCommercial fleets
Andersen A2£1,800-£2,200Premium materials (wood/metal), concealed cable, high-end designLuxury properties

All models include 22kW three-phase capability. Prices are for unit only - add £1,000-£2,000 for installation. Most qualify for the £350 Workplace Charging Scheme grant.

When to Choose 22kW vs 7kW

Choose 22kW When:

  • • Customer stays are 1-3 hours (retail, gyms, restaurants)
  • • You already have three-phase power
  • • High charger utilisation is expected
  • • You want to attract EV drivers with fast charging
  • • Revenue per space matters more than install cost
  • • You're targeting Renault Zoe and other 22kW-capable EVs

Choose 7kW When:

  • • Vehicles park all day (workplace, hotels overnight)
  • • Only single-phase power available
  • • Budget is the primary constraint
  • • Most users have Tesla/VW (limited to 11kW anyway)
  • • You need multiple chargers on limited supply
  • • Residential or light commercial use

Can You Install a 22kW Charger at Home?

Technically yes, but most UK homes don't have three-phase power — and upgrading may not be worth it.

The Reality Check

  • • 97% of UK homes have single-phase power (7kW max)
  • • Upgrading to three-phase costs £3,000-£15,000 depending on your DNO and distance
  • • You need DNO approval — not always granted in capacity-constrained areas
  • • Your EV must support 22kW AC to benefit (many are capped at 7-11kW)

When Home 22kW Makes Sense

  • • You already have three-phase (some rural and larger properties do)
  • • You own a 22kW-capable EV (Renault Zoe, Porsche Taycan)
  • • You need fast turnaround (e.g., multiple daily trips)
  • • You plan to add solar panels and want maximum self-consumption

Bottom line: For most homeowners, a 7kW charger on an off-peak EV tariff (7-9p/kWh) is the better investment. Overnight charging at 7kW adds ~175 miles — more than enough for daily use. Reserve 22kW for properties that already have three-phase or commercial premises.

Calculate Your EV Charging Revenue

Use our free calculator to estimate potential revenue from EV charging at your business.

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22kW EV Charger FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

A 22kW charger adds approximately 70-80 miles of range per hour - about 3x faster than a 7kW charger. A typical EV with 60kWh battery charges from 20-80% in around 2-3 hours on 22kW, compared to 6-8 hours on 7kW.
A 22kW EV charger costs £2,500-£5,000 fully installed in the UK. This includes the unit (£1,500-£3,000), three-phase electrical work, and installation. Additional costs may apply if three-phase supply needs upgrading or installing.
Yes, 22kW chargers require a three-phase electrical supply. Most UK homes have single-phase (limited to 7kW max). Commercial premises often have three-phase already. Installing three-phase where not present costs £3,000-£15,000 depending on distance and complexity. See our 3-phase EV charger guide for full details.
No. Many EVs have 7kW or 11kW onboard chargers that limit AC charging speed. Cars that can use full 22kW include: Renault Zoe, some Mercedes EQ models, Porsche Taycan, and some Kia/Hyundai models. Tesla Model 3/Y is limited to 11kW AC. Check your EV's AC charging limit.
For most businesses, 22kW is better value. The 3x faster charging means each parking space serves more vehicles per day. For destinations with 1-3 hour stays (gyms, shopping, restaurants), 22kW is ideal. For all-day workplace parking, 7kW may be sufficient and cheaper.
Electricity costs are the same per kWh regardless of charger speed. At 25p/kWh, charging a 60kWh EV costs about £15. The 22kW charger just delivers energy faster. Business electricity rates (15-20p/kWh) are often cheaper than domestic rates.
Yes. The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides 75% of costs up to £350 per socket for businesses - this applies to 22kW chargers. The EV Infrastructure Grant offers up to £15,000 per building for SMEs. Both schemes end March 2026.
Yes - this is an excellent combination. Chargers like the MyEnergi Zappi have 'Eco+' modes that divert surplus solar generation to your EV. On a sunny day, you could charge largely from free solar power. See our commercial solar guide for ROI calculations.
For commercial use, the Easee One/Charge is popular for its load balancing across multiple units. The EO Genius 2 offers fleet management and billing features. For solar integration, the MyEnergi Zappi leads the market. All include built-in PEN fault protection, eliminating costly earth rods.

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