A 7kW charger fully refills a typical EV battery overnight; a 22kW charger does it in under two hours but requires three-phase power.
If you are choosing between a 7kW and a 22kW home EV charger, the decision hinges on your home’s electricity supply, your car’s onboard charging capability, and how far you drive each day. A 7kW charger adds roughly 30 miles of range per hour of charging, while a 22kW charger adds roughly 75 miles per hour — but only if your car can accept that speed (MCS, 2026). Most UK homes have a single-phase electricity supply, which maxes out at 7kW for EV charging; 22kW requires a three-phase supply, which is rare in domestic properties (Ofgem, 2026).
A 7kW charger is the best choice for nearly all UK homes. It adds 30 miles of range per hour, costs £800–£1,200 installed, and works with standard single-phase supply. A 22kW charger is faster but requires three-phase power, which most homes lack, and costs £1,500–£2,500 plus an upgrade fee. Compare your home supply before deciding.
- 7kW adds 30 miles of range per hour; 22kW adds 75 miles.
- Over 80% of UK homes have single-phase supply, limiting to 7kW.
- 22kW charger costs £1,500–£2,500 plus £2,000–£5,000 for three-phase upgrade.
- 7kW charger costs £800–£1,200 installed and qualifies for OZEV grant.
- Check your car's onboard charger; many accept max 7kW at home.
- A 7kW charger fully refills a typical EV battery overnight; a 22kW charger does it in under two hours but requires three-phase power.
- A 7kW home charger costs £800–£1,200 installed; a 22kW unit costs £1,500–£2,500 and may need a three-phase upgrade at £2,000–£5,000 extra
- Most UK homes (over 80%) have a single-phase supply, making 7kW the default and practical choice
- A 7kW charger is sufficient for 99% of daily driving; a 22kW charger is only needed for very high-mileage households or commercial use
- Quick numbers key comparison table
- Your car’s onboard charger limits the actual speed; a 22kW home charger is wasted if the car can only accept 7kW
- To verify an installer, use the MCS or TrustMark register for 7kW chargers; for 22kW, also require NICEIC or NAPIT certification for three-phase work
- For nearly all UK homeowners, a 7kW charger is the correct choice it’s cheaper, grant-eligible, and matches typical driving habits and home electricity supply
The direct answer is that for virtually all UK homeowners, a 7kW charger is the correct choice. It is cheaper, grant-eligible, and matches typical driving habits and home electricity supply.
A 7kW home charger costs £800–£1,200 installed; a 22kW unit costs £1,500–£2,500 and may need a three-phase upgrade at £2,000–£5,000 extra
The installed cost of a 7kW charger typically falls between £800 and £1,200, including a standard cable run of up to 10 metres (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). A 22kW unit costs £1,500–£2,500, but this figure excludes the three-phase supply upgrade that most homes require. Adding three-phase power costs £2,000–£5,000 and can take weeks to arrange with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) (Energy Networks Association, 2026).
Grant eligibility further tilts the balance. The OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) currently provides up to £350 off installation costs for 7kW chargers at qualifying homes, but 22kW chargers are not covered unless the home already has a three-phase supply (GOV.UK, 2026). The installation cost breakdown also differs: a 22kW unit requires thicker cable, a larger fuse, and often a new consumer unit, adding £500–£1,000 to the base cost.
Most UK homes (over 80%) have a single-phase supply, making 7kW the default and practical choice
Single-phase supply is the standard in UK domestic properties, with over 80% of homes connected this way (Ofgem, 2026). Three-phase supply is typically only found in homes with large workshops, heat pumps, or older farmhouses. If you do not already have three-phase, adding it costs £2,000–£5,000 and can take weeks to arrange with the DNO (Energy Networks Association, 2026).
For the vast majority of homeowners, the cost and complexity of a three-phase upgrade make a 22kW charger an impractical choice. A 7kW charger works with the existing supply and requires no structural changes.
A 7kW charger is sufficient for 99% of daily driving; a 22kW charger is only needed for very high-mileage households or commercial use
The average UK driver covers 20–30 miles per day (Department for Transport, 2026). A 7kW charger adds 30 miles of range per hour, so two hours of charging covers a full day’s driving. Even a 60kWh EV battery, which gives around 210 miles of range (assuming 3.5 miles/kWh), fully recharges in about 8.5 hours on a 7kW charger — easily done overnight.
A 22kW charger is useful only if you drive over 150 miles daily and need to recharge in under two hours, or if you run a home business with fleet vehicles. For 99% of households, a 7kW charger provides more than enough capacity (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
Quick numbers key comparison table
| Feature | 7kW charger | 22kW charger |
|---|---|---|
| Typical installation cost | £800–£1,200 | £1,500–£2,500 (+ £2,000–£5,000 for three-phase upgrade) |
| Grant-eligible? (EVHS) | Yes — up to £350 off | No, unless three-phase already present |
| Miles added per hour (3.5 miles/kWh) | ~30 miles | ~75 miles |
| Time to fully charge a 60kWh battery | ~8.5 hours | ~2.7 hours |
| Power supply required | Single-phase (standard) | Three-phase (rare in UK homes) |
Sources: MCS, 2026 (charging speeds); Energy Saving Trust, 2026 (costs); GOV.UK, 2026 (grant rules).
Your car’s onboard charger limits the actual speed; a 22kW home charger is wasted if the car can only accept 7kW
Most EVs sold in the UK have an onboard charger rated at 7kW (single-phase) or 11kW (three-phase). Very few domestic EVs accept 22kW AC charging. For example, the Nissan Leaf has a 7kW max onboard charger, the Tesla Model 3 has 11kW max, and the Renault Zoe is one of the few with a 22kW onboard charger (MCS register, 2026).
A 22kW charger plugged into a car with a 7kW onboard charger will charge at 7kW — no faster. Before buying a 22kW unit, check your car’s specification. If your car cannot accept 22kW, the higher installation cost is entirely wasted.
To verify an installer, use the MCS or TrustMark register for 7kW chargers; for 22kW, also require NICEIC or NAPIT certification for three-phase work
For any home EV charger installation, the installer must be on the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) or TrustMark register to qualify for OZEV grants (MCS, 2026; TrustMark, 2026). For 22kW chargers requiring a three-phase supply, the electrical work must be done by a contractor registered with NICEIC or NAPIT for three-phase installations (NICEIC, 2026; NAPI, 2026).
Always ask for proof of certification and a copy of the Part P compliance certificate (GOV.UK, 2026). Using an unregistered installer can invalidate your grant and your home insurance.
How to choose an EV charger installer
For nearly all UK homeowners, a 7kW charger is the correct choice it’s cheaper, grant-eligible, and matches typical driving habits and home electricity supply
The direct answer to the keyword query “7kW vs 22kW EV charger” is that 7kW wins for domestic use due to cost, supply compatibility, and driver needs. A 22kW charger only makes sense if you have three-phase supply, a car that accepts 22kW, and a daily mileage above 150 miles (Ofgem, 2026; Department for Transport, 2026; Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
For the vast majority of homeowners, a 7kW charger is the practical, cost-effective, and future-proof choice. It works with your existing electricity supply, qualifies for a £350 grant, and fully recharges a typical EV battery overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if your home has three-phase power. Most UK homes (over 80%) have single-phase supply, which maxes out at 7kW for EV charging (Ofgem, 2026). Upgrading to three-phase costs £2,000–£5,000.
A 22kW charger costs £1,500–£2,500 installed, but you may need a three-phase supply upgrade for an extra £2,000–£5,000 (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Total could reach £7,500.
Yes, for most UK drivers. A 7kW charger adds 30 miles of range per hour, fully refilling a typical 60kWh battery overnight (MCS, 2026). It matches single-phase supply and qualifies for the OZEV grant.
The OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme covers 7kW chargers but not 22kW unless your home already has three-phase power (GOV.UK, 2026). Most homeowners cannot claim the grant for 22kW.
A 7kW charger adds 30 miles per hour; 22kW adds 75 miles per hour but requires three-phase power (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). 22kW is faster but costs more and is rarely needed for overnight charging.
