A wall charger — also called a wallbox — is a fixed charging unit mounted on a wall, usually in a garage or on an outside wall, that supplies AC power to an electric car. It is a Level 2 device: it delivers power in the 7–19 kW band and adds roughly 10–20 miles of range per hour, according to the U.S. DOT guide to charger types and speeds. Strictly, it is supply equipment, not a charger: the device converting AC to DC sits inside the car.
Key Takeaways
- A wall charger (wallbox) is a fixed Level 2 unit that supplies AC power; the car’s onboard charger does the converting.
- It adds roughly 10–20 miles of range per hour — far more than a Level 1 cable, far less than a DC fast charger.
- It needs its own circuit, with the breaker at 125% of its current, fitted by a qualified electrician.
- Models differ by market, power, cable and features; the definition above is what they all share.
What the Box on the Wall Actually Does
A wall charger does four jobs. It passes AC power from your home’s supply to the car, at a current both sides have agreed. It checks safety before and during the session — the connector is seated, the earthing is sound, nothing is overheating — and it can stop the flow if a check fails. It talks to the car over a signal wire, so each side only draws and offers what the other can handle. And on smart models it adds control on top: scheduling, energy records and app access. What it never does is convert the power — that happens in the car’s onboard charger, which is why the car’s own limit often sets your real charging speed.
Wall Charger, Portable Charger or Fast Charger?
The three names describe where the equipment lives and how the power arrives.
| Type | Where it lives | Typical power | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall charger (wallbox) | Fixed to a wall at home or work | Level 2, 7–19 kW AC | About 10–20 miles |
| Portable charger | In the car’s boot; plugs into an outlet | Level 1 about 1 kW, or Level 2 from a 240 V outlet | About 2–5 miles at Level 1 |
| DC fast charger | Public sites; converts AC to DC in the cabinet | 50–350 kW DC | About 180–240 miles |
Both home units feed the car AC. The fast charger is the different species: its cabinet converts AC to DC itself and delivers DC straight to the battery — which is why it is large, site-built equipment, not a box on a home wall. Charging modes are covered in our explainer on Mode 2 vs Mode 3 charging.
What Fitting One Involves
A wall charger is part of the home’s fixed electrical installation. It runs on its own dedicated circuit, and because EV charging is a continuous load, the breaker is sized at 125% of its current — a 32 A unit on a 40 A breaker, a 48 A unit on a 60 A breaker. Some models are hard-wired; others plug into a 240 V outlet that itself needs professional fitting. Our comparison of hardwired vs plug-in chargers walks through that choice. Models differ in power, cable arrangement, smart features and connector — the subject of our wallbox features guide, not this definition.
Two EVDANCE Wall Chargers
The EV-ACT5006T is a 48 A Level 2 wall charger for North America: hard-wired or on a NEMA 14-50P plug, NACS connector, 25 ft cable, IP65/IP66, with ETL, FCC and CE marks. The EV-ACT3204PE is a 22 kW wallbox for three-phase European supplies, with a tethered Type 2 cable, RFID and app control, IP66 and CE marking. Same job — a fixed, supervised AC supply on a wall — built for two different electrical markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a wall charger the same as a wallbox?
Yes. Wall charger, wallbox and home charging station are three names for the same fixed Level 2 unit. Wallbox is the term more common in Europe; wall charger is more common in North America.
Does a wall charger charge faster than the cable that came with the car?
Usually, yes. The cable supplied with many cars is a Level 1 portable unit of about 1 kW, adding roughly 2–5 miles of range per hour. A wall charger works at Level 2, 7–19 kW, adding about 10–20 miles per hour — provided the car’s onboard charger can accept that rate.
Can a wall charger be fitted outdoors?
Many are designed for it. Check the unit’s IP rating: the EVDANCE wall chargers above are rated IP65/IP66, which suits outdoor mounting. The installation rules are the same indoors or out, and the work still belongs to a qualified electrician.
Related Reading
- Wallbox Home Charger Features Explained: Display, Scheduling, and Load Management
- Tethered vs Socketed Wallbox Chargers: Which Should You Install?
- EV Charger Hardwired vs Plug-In: Which Should You Choose?
- Which Level 2 Charger Should I Buy? A Buyer’s Checklist
