Charging Speed Differences: 7 kW vs 11 kW vs 22 kW Chargers
Last updated: October 2025
Understand the differences between 7kW, 11kW, and 22kW EV chargers. Learn which power level is right for your vehicle, home, and charging needs.
7kW chargers add 20-25 miles per hour and cost $500-1,000 to install. 11kW chargers add 30-40 miles per hour and cost $800-1,500. High-power AC (19.2 kW in North America, 22 kW in Europe) adds 60-80 miles per hour but costs $1,200-2,500 and requires higher electrical capacity. Choose based on your daily driving needs and vehicle compatibility.
Rule of thumb
Miles added ≈ (charger power in kW) × (1 hour) × (mi/kWh).
Typical real-world efficiency ranges ~2.5–4.0 mi/kWh, so:
- • 7.2 kW → ~18–29 mi/hr
- • 11.5 kW → ~29–46 mi/hr
- • 19.2–22 kW → ~48–88 mi/hr
(Your bands of 20–25 / 30–40 / 60–80 sit comfortably inside these ranges.)
7kW Charger (32A)
11kW Charger (48A)
High-power AC: 19.2 kW (NA) / 22 kW (EU, 3-phase)
| Specification | 7kW (32A) | 11kW (48A) | High-power AC: 19.2 kW (NA) / 22 kW (EU, 3-phase) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actual Power Output | 7.2kW | 11.5kW | 19.2kW (NA) / 22kW (EU) |
| Range per Hour | 20-25 miles | 30-40 miles | ~60–80 mi/hr* |
| Full Charge Time | 8-12 hours | 5-8 hours | 3-5 hours |
| Circuit Required | 40A breaker | 60A breaker | 100A breaker (NA) / 3-phase (EU) |
| Installation Cost | $500-1,000 | $800-1,500 | $1,200-2,500 |
| Best For | Daily commuting | Balanced needs | High-mileage drivers |
*Actual speed depends on vehicle efficiency. 19.2 kW typically yields ~55–70 mi/hr on average EVs; 22 kW can be higher on very efficient models.
High-power AC at home (North America)
19.2 kW (80A, single-phase) on a dedicated 100A circuit. Many EVs are limited below this; only vehicles with ≥19 kW onboard AC charging will benefit.
(Examples include some F-150 Lightning trims with 80A support and certain Taycan configurations with higher-power AC hardware.)
High-power AC (Europe/three-phase)
22 kW (3×32A, three-phase) requires a three-phase supply and a vehicle with a 22 kW onboard charger. Many cars remain limited to 11 kW AC.
Three-phase service may require utility approval and can add significant cost.
Important: Vehicle Limitations
Your EV's onboard charger determines the maximum AC charging speed, regardless of your home charger's capacity. Installing a 22kW charger won't help if your vehicle can only accept 7kW.
Tesla Model 3/Y & 2021+ S/X
Ford F-150 Lightning
Hyundai Ioniq 5/6
BMW iX/i4
Audi e-tron GT
Renault Zoe / Taycan (with AC upgrade)
| Vehicle Model | Max AC Rate | Recommended Charger | 7kW Result | 11kW Result | 22kW Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3/Y & 2021+ S/X | ~11.5kW | 11kW | 20-25 mi/hr | 30-35 mi/hr | 30-35 mi/hr* |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 19.2kW | 22kW | 20-25 mi/hr | 30-40 mi/hr | 60-70 mi/hr |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5/6 | 11kW | 11kW | 20-25 mi/hr | 30-35 mi/hr | 30-35 mi/hr* |
| BMW iX/i4 | 11kW | 11kW | 20-25 mi/hr | 30-35 mi/hr | 30-35 mi/hr* |
| Audi e-tron GT | 11 kW (22 kW optional) | 11kW or 22kW | 20-25 mi/hr | 30-40 mi/hr | 60-80 mi/hr (with option) |
| Renault Zoe / Taycan (with AC upgrade) | 22kW | 22kW | 20-25 mi/hr | 30-40 mi/hr | 60-80 mi/hr |
*Limited by vehicle: Installing a higher-power charger than your vehicle can accept provides no speed benefit but may offer future-proofing for your next EV.
Electrical Panel Requirements
| Charger Power | Breaker Size | Wire Size | Panel Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7kW | 40A | 8 AWG | 100A+ panel |
| 11kW | 60A | 6 AWG | 150A+ panel |
| 22kW | 100A | 3 AWG | 200A+ panel |
Breaker sizes are examples aligned with continuous-load rules; final conductor sizing and panel capacity depend on a licensed electrician's load calculation and local code.
Installation Cost Factors
- • Distance from panel: Longer wire runs increase material and labor costs
- • Panel upgrades: Older homes may need electrical panel upgrades ($1,500-3,000)
- • Permits and inspections: Required in most areas ($100-300)
- • Trenching/conduit: Underground or complex routing adds $500-1,500
- • Smart features: WiFi-enabled chargers cost $200-500 more
Total Installation Cost Estimates
7kW Charger Installation
- • Simple install: $500-1,000
- • Standard install: $800-1,500
- • Complex install: $1,200-2,000
11kW Charger Installation
- • Simple install: $800-1,500
- • Standard install: $1,200-2,000
- • Complex install: $1,800-3,000
22kW Charger Installation
- • Simple install: $1,200-2,500
- • Standard install: $2,000-3,500
- • Complex install: $3,000-5,000
Low-Mileage Drivers (0-50 miles/day)
- • Best choice: 7kW charger
- • Why: Overnight charging easily covers daily needs
- • Savings: $300-1,500 less than higher power options
- • Payback: Never - higher power provides no benefit
Medium-Mileage Drivers (50-100 miles/day)
- • Best choice: 11kW charger
- • Why: Faster recovery from long trips, flexibility
- • Premium: $300-500 over 7kW installation
- • Payback: 2-3 years through convenience value
High-Mileage Drivers (100+ miles/day)
- • Best choice: 22kW charger (if vehicle supports it)
- • Why: Essential for daily charging needs
- • Premium: $700-1,500 over 11kW installation
- • Payback: 1-2 years through reduced public charging
Decision Framework
Choose 7kW If:
- • You drive less than 50 miles per day
- • You have overnight charging time (8+ hours)
- • Your electrical panel has limited capacity
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • Your vehicle only accepts 7kW AC charging
Choose 11kW If:
- • You drive 50-100 miles per day
- • You want faster top-ups during the day
- • Your vehicle accepts 11kW+ AC charging
- • You want the best balance of speed and cost
- • You may get a second EV in the future
Choose 22kW If:
- • You drive 100+ miles per day
- • Your vehicle accepts 19kW+ AC charging
- • You have multiple EVs or plan to
- • You want maximum future-proofing
- • Charging time is more important than cost
Future-Proofing Considerations
- • Next vehicle: Consider your next EV's charging capabilities
- • Multiple EVs: Higher power allows sharing between vehicles
- • Resale value: Faster charging may increase home value
- • Technology trends: New EVs increasingly support higher AC charging rates
- • Installation cost: Upgrading later costs more than installing higher power initially
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