3-Phase EV Charger: The Complete UK Guide

A 3-phase supply enables 22kW charging - three times faster than standard 7kW. But is it worth the upgrade? Here's everything you need to know.

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Single-Phase vs 3-Phase Charging Speed

Single-Phase

7 kW

230V × 32A

~8-10 hours

for 60kWh battery (0-100%)

3-Phase (11kW)

11 kW

3 × 230V × 16A

~5-6 hours

for 60kWh battery (0-100%)

3-Phase (22kW)

22 kW

3 × 230V × 32A

~3 hours

for 60kWh battery (0-100%)

22kW charging can add 100+ miles of range per hour - enough for a "lunchtime top-up" rather than overnight charging.

What is 3-Phase Power?

Most UK homes have single-phase electricity - one live wire delivering 230V. This powers standard 7kW EV chargers (32A × 230V = 7.36kW).

Three-phase power uses three separate live wires (L1, L2, L3), each carrying 230V but offset by 120 degrees. This creates a more stable power flow and enables much higher capacity:

√3 × 400V × 32A = 22,170W ≈ 22kW

Three times the power using cables of similar size

Three-phase is standard in commercial buildings but rare in UK homes. It's common in larger properties, farms, and newer builds designed for high electrical loads.

How to Check if You Have 3-Phase Power

Single-Phase (Most Homes)

Service head: One fuse carrier, single thick cable
Meter: Labeled "230V", "1-Phase", or "2W"
Consumer unit: Narrow main switch (1-2 modules wide)
Cables: Two wires to meter (Live + Neutral)

Three-Phase

Service head: Three separate fuses (or one wide block with three)
Meter: Labeled "3-Phase", "Polyphase", or "3x230/400V"
Consumer unit: Wide main switch (3-4 modules)
Cables: Four wires to meter (L1, L2, L3 + Neutral)

Check for "Looped Supply"

If your service head has a second cable leaving to a neighbor's property, you have a "looped supply". DNOs typically refuse high-load installations (like EV chargers) on looped supplies. You may need to "unloop" first - giving each property its own dedicated cable.

Cost to Upgrade from Single to 3-Phase

Scenario	Typical Cost	Details
Basic Upgrade	£3,000 - £4,000	3-phase main already at property boundary, soft ground (lawn/driveway)
Standard Installation	£4,000 - £7,000	Trenching across public footpath/highway, permits and road works required
Complex/Rural	£7,000 - £15,000+	Long cable runs, network reinforcement needed, transformer upgrades

Additional costs: New 3-phase consumer unit (£500-£1,500), meter tails, and potentially longer waits for a 3-phase smart meter installation.

Best 3-Phase EV Chargers (2026)

Charger	Power	Key Features	Smart Tariff
MyEnergi Zappi	22kW	Solar integration, "Eco+" mode, built-in PEN protection	Octopus Intelligent Go, OVO Anytime
Hypervolt Home 3 Pro	22kW	Premium design, status lighting, built-in PEN protection	Octopus Intelligent Go, OVO Anytime
Easee One	22kW	Compact, daisy-chain load balancing, swappable covers	Octopus via API
Tesla Wall Connector	22kW	Sleek design, Tesla app integration, Wi-Fi	Tesla tariffs, basic with others
Andersen A2	22kW	Premium materials (wood/metal), concealed cable	OVO Anytime

All models above include 3-phase support. Most are untethered (socket only) due to the heavier 22kW cable.

The "22kW Fallacy": Check Your Car First

Critical: Most EVs cannot charge at 22kW, regardless of charger speed. The charging rate is limited by your car's Onboard Charger (OBC), not the wallbox.

Limited to 11kW (or less)

Tesla Model 3 / Y - 11kW max in Europe
Volkswagen ID.3 / ID.4 - 11kW
BMW iX1 / i4 - 11kW
Hyundai Ioniq 5/6 - 11kW
Kia EV6 - 11kW
Ford Mustang Mach-E - 11kW

A 22kW charger offers no speed benefit for these vehicles

Can Use Full 22kW

Renault Zoe - 22kW standard
Lotus Eletre - 22kW standard
Smart #1 / #3 - Premium trims
Audi e-tron / Q8 - Optional extra
Mercedes EQS / EQE - Optional
Porsche Taycan - Optional
Volvo EX30 / EX90 - Higher trims

These vehicles benefit from 22kW charging

When 3-Phase Still Makes Sense (Even for 11kW Cars)

• Multiple EVs: Two cars can charge at 7-11kW simultaneously without overloading
• Future-proofing: Your next car might have 22kW capability
• Solar integration: 3-phase enables larger solar + battery systems

Installation Requirements

BS 7671 Compliance (Section 722)

All EV charger installations must comply with the IET Wiring Regulations. Key requirement: PEN fault protection to prevent the car chassis becoming live if the combined earth/neutral wire fails. Modern chargers (Zappi, Hypervolt, Easee) have this built-in, eliminating the need for an earth rod.

DNO Notification

22kW chargers require an "Apply to Connect" application to your Distribution Network Operator. They assess whether local infrastructure can handle the increased load. This can take 2-8 weeks depending on your DNO and local grid capacity.

Grid Connection Standards

Standard EV chargers (load only) don't require G98/G99, but if you're combining with solar or V2G (vehicle-to-grid), you may need a G99 application for the generation component.

Planning a Commercial EV Charging Installation?

For businesses, 3-phase is essential for fleet charging and dynamic load balancing. Check available grants and get quotes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Single-phase uses one live wire delivering 230V, powering up to 7kW. Three-phase uses three live wires offset by 120 degrees, delivering 400V and up to 22kW. The three waveforms combine to provide constant, smooth power delivery rather than the pulsing nature of single-phase.

Check your meter and service head (cutout). Single-phase has one fuse and cables labeled "230V" or "2W". Three-phase has three fuses, four cables (L1, L2, L3, Neutral), and meters labeled "3-Phase", "Polyphase", or "3x230/400V". Most UK homes are single-phase.

Costs range from £3,000-£4,000 (basic, three-phase main already nearby) to £7,000-£15,000+ (requires trenching, road works, or network reinforcement). You will also need a new consumer unit (£500-£1,500) and potentially longer waits for a 3-phase smart meter.

Not necessarily. Most EVs including Tesla Model 3/Y are limited to 11kW AC. A 3-phase 22kW charger will only charge at 11kW for these vehicles. However, 3-phase is valuable if you have multiple EVs (two can charge at 7kW simultaneously) or plan to buy a 22kW-capable car.

Only vehicles with high-capacity onboard chargers can use 22kW, including: Renault Zoe (standard), Lotus Eletre, and optionally-equipped Audi e-tron, Mercedes EQS/EQE, Porsche Taycan, and some Volvo/Smart models. Tesla Model 3/Y are limited to 11kW in Europe.

Yes, typically. A 22kW charger significantly increases your maximum demand. Most installations require an "Apply to Connect" application to your DNO (UK Power Networks, Northern Powergrid, etc.). They assess whether local infrastructure can handle the load.

Related Guides

22kW EV Charger Comparison

Compare 7kW vs 11kW vs 22kW charging speeds and costs

Commercial EV Charging

ROI calculator and grant information for business charging

Ready to Install 3-Phase EV Charging?

Get quotes from approved installers and check available grants for your property.

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