Only cars with a 22 kW onboard charger can charge at 22 kW, and only where the building has a three-phase supply and a 22 kW wallbox. The wallbox cannot push power faster than the car accepts: a car limited to 11 kW on the same wallbox charges at 11 kW, not 22 kW. So the honest answer is not a list of models, it is a rating to check in your car’s specification.
Key Takeaways
- The car’s onboard charger, not the wallbox, sets the AC charging limit.
- 22 kW needs three things together: a three-phase supply, a 22 kW charger and a 22 kW onboard charger.
- An 11 kW car on a 22 kW wallbox charges at 11 kW.
- Check the AC rating in your car’s specification before paying for a bigger wallbox.
The Onboard Charger Sets the Limit
On AC charging, the wallbox supplies alternating current and the car converts it to DC for the battery. That converter inside the car is the onboard charger, and its rating is the ceiling. A 22 kW wallbox connected to a car with an 11 kW onboard charger delivers about 11 kW. The same car on a 7 kW single-phase charger delivers about 7 kW. The charger, the supply and the car all have to support the speed before you get it.
This is why two neighbours with the same wallbox can see very different charge times. Our comparison of how long charging takes at 7 kW, 11 kW and 22 kW shows the gap, and our guide to single-phase vs three-phase charging explains where each rating comes from.
What Each Combination Actually Delivers
| Supply and wallbox | Car’s onboard charger | Charging speed you get |
|---|---|---|
| Three-phase, 22 kW wallbox | 22 kW | About 22 kW |
| Three-phase, 22 kW wallbox | 11 kW | About 11 kW |
| Three-phase, 22 kW wallbox | Single-phase, about 7 kW | About 7 kW |
| Single-phase supply only | Any | About 7 kW at most, whatever the wallbox says |
Read the table from the car’s side. The wallbox rating is an offer, not a promise. If you are choosing a car for fast home charging, the onboard charger line in the specification matters more than the badge on the charger.
How to Check Whether Your Car Takes 22 kW
- Find the AC charging rating. Look for “onboard charger” or “AC charging” in the manual or specification sheet. It will state a figure such as 7 kW, 11 kW or 22 kW, sometimes as an option rather than standard fit.
- Check whether 22 kW was an extra. On some models a higher-rated onboard charger was a paid option or tied to a trim level, so two cars with the same name can differ.
- Confirm your supply. 22 kW needs a three-phase supply at the property. Many houses have single-phase only, which caps AC charging at about 7 kW regardless of the car.
- Match the connector. In Europe and the UK, three-phase AC charging uses Type 2. Our overview of portable charger types, including three-phase models, shows how the ratings and plugs line up.
Is a 22 kW Wallbox Worth It With an 11 kW Car?
Sometimes, yes. A 22 kW wallbox gives you headroom for a future car, and on a three-phase supply it still delivers your car’s 11 kW today. It makes less sense on a single-phase supply, where it can never pass about 7 kW. Distributors face the same question at stock level, covered in 11 kW vs 22 kW wallboxes for Europe.
For buyers who do have three-phase power and a car that can use it, the EV-ACT3204PE 22 kW wallbox is a three-phase Type 2 unit with cable or socket, RFID and app control, rated IP66. Away from home, the EV-ACS3205PE 22 kW portable charger offers the same three-phase ceiling in a portable format with a CEE 32A plug. Neither can make an 11 kW car charge faster than 11 kW, and no honest seller should claim otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a wallbox make my car charge faster than its onboard charger allows?
No. On AC charging the onboard charger is the limit. A bigger wallbox only helps if the car and the supply also support the higher rate.
My car is rated at 11 kW. Should I still buy a 22 kW wallbox?
Only if you have three-phase power and expect a future car with a 22 kW onboard charger. Otherwise an 11 kW unit gives you the same speed for your current car.
Does 22 kW apply to DC fast charging?
No. The 22 kW figure here is AC charging at home or work. DC fast charging bypasses the onboard charger and runs far higher, typically 50–350 kW according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Related Reading
- Single-Phase vs Three-Phase EV Charging: 7kW, 11kW and 22kW Explained
- How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV at 7 kW, 11 kW and 22 kW?
- 11 kW vs 22 kW Wallbox: Which Should Distributors Stock for Europe?
- CEE Plugs Explained: Choosing 16A or 32A for a Three-Phase Portable EV Charger
