I've been exploring options for home charging solutions and came across some 22kW chargers. I'm curious about a few things: Is it worth installing a 22kW charger at home, or is it overkill compared to more common 7kW or 11kW chargers? How do installation costs and requirements compare between these different charging capacities? For those who have a 22kW charger, have you found it beneficial in day-to-day use? Are there any compatibility issues with specific EV models when using a 22kW charger? Would love to hear from anyone with experience or insights!

Great questions! Deciding on the right home charging solution depends on several factors, so let's break it down: Is a 22kW charger worth it? Installing a 22kW charger can be seen as overkill for many residential settings, primarily because most homes have a single-phase electrical system. A 22kW charger requires a three-phase power supply, which isn't standard in many residential areas. Even if you have a three-phase supply, many electric vehicles can't charge at their full potential with a 22kW home charger. For everyday use, a 7kW or 11kW charger is often sufficient as it will fully recharge most EVs overnight, which is typically all that is needed for daily use. Installation costs and requirements: Installing a 22kW charger usually involves higher costs compared to 7kW or 11kW chargers. This is both due to the need for three-phase power and the extra wiring and infrastructure adjustments that might be required. You might need an electrician to assess and potentially upgrade your current electrical system, which can add to the cost. Additionally, in some areas, three-phase charging at home might also incur a higher tariff. Day-to-day benefits of a 22kW charger: Those who find a 22kW charger beneficial tend to be users with high daily driving needs or multiple EVs. The faster charge time can be a significant convenience if you need to recharge your vehicle in a short period, for instance, between a long drive and another trip during the day. However, most users who don't have these needs manage quite well with a 7kW or 11kW charger. Compatibility issues: Not all EVs are equipped to handle 22kW charging. Some vehicles are limited to lower rates of AC charging regardless of the charger's capacity. For instance, many plug-in hybrids or older EV models can only handle up to 7kW or even less. It's crucial to check your vehicle's onboard charger capacity to ensure compatibility and make the most of the charger's potential. It might be worth checking with your car manufacturer or consulting with an EV-friendly electrician to see what setup would best suit your lifestyle and vehicle. Also, consider future-proofing: while you might not need 22kW now, having the infrastructure could be beneficial if you plan to upgrade your vehicle or if the technology becomes more common. Follow-up question: Do you have a specific EV model in mind, and have you considered possible future upgrades or changes to your driving habits? That might also influence your decision.

Is a 22kW Home EV Charger Worth It?

GreenEnergyDriver

I've been exploring options for home charging solutions and came across some 22kW chargers. I'm curious about a few things:

Is it worth installing a 22kW charger at home, or is it overkill compared to more common 7kW or 11kW chargers?
How do installation costs and requirements compare between these different charging capacities?
For those who have a 22kW charger, have you found it beneficial in day-to-day use?
Are there any compatibility issues with specific EV models when using a 22kW charger?

Would love to hear from anyone with experience or insights!

ChargeRoad

Great questions! Deciding on the right home charging solution depends on several factors, so let's break it down:

Is a 22kW charger worth it?
Installing a 22kW charger can be seen as overkill for many residential settings, primarily because most homes have a single-phase electrical system. A 22kW charger requires a three-phase power supply, which isn't standard in many residential areas. Even if you have a three-phase supply, many electric vehicles can't charge at their full potential with a 22kW home charger. For everyday use, a 7kW or 11kW charger is often sufficient as it will fully recharge most EVs overnight, which is typically all that is needed for daily use.
Installation costs and requirements:
Installing a 22kW charger usually involves higher costs compared to 7kW or 11kW chargers. This is both due to the need for three-phase power and the extra wiring and infrastructure adjustments that might be required. You might need an electrician to assess and potentially upgrade your current electrical system, which can add to the cost. Additionally, in some areas, three-phase charging at home might also incur a higher tariff.
Day-to-day benefits of a 22kW charger:
Those who find a 22kW charger beneficial tend to be users with high daily driving needs or multiple EVs. The faster charge time can be a significant convenience if you need to recharge your vehicle in a short period, for instance, between a long drive and another trip during the day. However, most users who don't have these needs manage quite well with a 7kW or 11kW charger.
Compatibility issues:
Not all EVs are equipped to handle 22kW charging. Some vehicles are limited to lower rates of AC charging regardless of the charger's capacity. For instance, many plug-in hybrids or older EV models can only handle up to 7kW or even less. It's crucial to check your vehicle's onboard charger capacity to ensure compatibility and make the most of the charger's potential.

It might be worth checking with your car manufacturer or consulting with an EV-friendly electrician to see what setup would best suit your lifestyle and vehicle. Also, consider future-proofing: while you might not need 22kW now, having the infrastructure could be beneficial if you plan to upgrade your vehicle or if the technology becomes more common.

Follow-up question: Do you have a specific EV model in mind, and have you considered possible future upgrades or changes to your driving habits? That might also influence your decision.

chargehorizon

If you're considering a 22kW charger, check if your home has three-phase power and if your EV can use that capacity. For most, a 7kW or 11kW charger suffices for overnight charging. Installation costs can be higher for 22kW due to electrical upgrades. It’s ideal if you have high daily mileage or multiple EVs. Always verify your car’s compatibility! What kind of driving do you mostly do? This might help decide if faster charging benefits you daily.

eDrivePro

A 22kW home charger might be overkill unless you have a three-phase system and high daily mileage. Most EVs and homes do well with 7kW or 11kW, recharging overnight. Check your EV's charging capacity and your home's power setup before deciding. What are your typical charging needs?

AmpedVibes

In my experience, I found that a 7kW charger meets my needs quite adequately. Our household does quite a bit of driving, but the ability to charge overnight has never failed us. I looked into the 22kW option when I was setting up, but since my house just has the standard single-phase electricity, the costs of upgrading seemed prohibitive.

From what I’ve read, even if you can get the three-phase setup at home, many people don’t find a massive difference in convenience for everyday charging scenarios. If I had a different work schedule or longer commutes, a 22kW might make more sense.

I think a key point is to consider your current EV and the likely charging speed it can handle. My EV, for example, maxes out at 11kW on AC, so a 22kW charger wouldn't make much of a difference in my case.

Are you finding that charging time is a limitation with your current setup, or are you planning to add new vehicles that might demand more frequent or faster charging?