For shared car parks, choose by dwell time and supply capacity. Where cars stay all day, 7 kW is usually enough and lets you install more points on the same supply. Where turnover is faster, such as retail or visitor parking, 22 kW three-phase units like the EV-ACT3204PE add range much faster for cars that can accept it. Many sites combine both, with load management sharing the available power.
Key Takeaways
- Choose by dwell time and supply capacity.
- Only some cars use the full 22 kW on AC.
- Load management lets 22 kW hardware share limited supply.
- Many sites mix 7 kW and 22 kW bays.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | 7 kW single-phase wallbox | 22 kW three-phase wallbox (EV-ACT3204PE) |
|---|---|---|
| Supply per point | 32 A single-phase | 32 A three-phase, 380 to 400 V |
| Max power | about 7.4 kW | up to 22 kW |
| Cars that benefit | All AC cars | Cars with 11 kW or 22 kW onboard chargers |
| Range added per hour | roughly 25 to 35 miles | up to about three times more, if the car accepts 22 kW |
| Points per supply | More | Fewer, unless load managed |
| Best dwell time | 4 hours or more | 1 to 4 hours |
The Onboard Charger Question
Many EVs accept 11 kW on AC; fewer accept 22 kW. A car limited to 11 kW draws 11 kW from a 22 kW unit, and a single-phase-only car may draw around 7 kW. So 22 kW is not wasted, but its full speed only benefits some cars. Read which cars can charge at 22 kW and 11 kW vs 22 kW wallboxes for more.
Supply Capacity Decides the Mix
A site with limited grid capacity can serve more cars with 7 kW points or with 22 kW points under load management. Load balancing shares available power across active sessions, so each car gets less when many charge at once and more when few do. Our explainer on load balancing on multi-charger sites shows how this works. Ask an electrician for a site load calculation before choosing.
Typical Site Recommendations
- Office or residential car park, all-day parking: mostly 7 kW, a few 22 kW for fleet or visitors.
- Retail, gym or leisure, 1 to 3 hours: 22 kW where supply allows.
- Hotel overnight: 7 kW is usually enough; 22 kW for late arrivals and early departures.
- Mixed-use: 22 kW hardware with load management gives flexibility as usage changes.
Installation costs also differ. Three-phase circuits need larger cables, which can add cost on long runs, but you may install fewer points for the same service level.
The EV-ACT3204PE in Shared Parking
The EV-ACT3204PE is a hard-wired 22 kW three-phase wallbox at 32 A, with a tethered Type 2 cable, RFID and app authorization, an IP66 enclosure and CE and RoHS marks. RFID makes it practical for shared bays where users must be identified. See EVDANCE commercial solutions for multi-bay layouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 22 kW worth it if most cars charge at 11 kW?
It future-proofs the bay and helps cars that accept 22 kW. With load management, it can also share power efficiently.
How many 7 kW chargers can share a supply?
It depends on the site’s spare capacity and load management. An electrician’s load calculation gives the answer.
Do 22 kW chargers need three-phase supply?
Yes. 22 kW AC requires a three-phase supply at 32 A per phase.
Related Reading
- What Cars Can Charge at 22kW?
- 11 kW vs 22 kW Wallbox: Which Should Distributors Stock for Europe?
- What Is EV Charger Load Balancing? How Multi-Charger Sites Share Power
- How Fast Does a 22 kW Charger Charge? Nameplate Speed vs Real-World Speed
