How Fast Is a 22kW EV Charger
28 September 2026
How Fast Is a 22kW EV Charger?
A 22kW EV charger can add approximately 60 to 80 miles of driving range per hour when the electric car can accept the full 22kW charging rate. It can charge a typical 60kWh battery from empty in around three hours.
However, connecting a car to a 22kW charger does not guarantee that it will charge at 22kW. Many electric cars can only accept 7.4kW or 11kW when using an AC charger. The car's onboard charging limit determines the actual speed.
Quick answer: A compatible electric car can gain around 60 to 80 miles of range from one hour of 22kW charging. A 40kWh battery takes approximately two hours to charge from empty, while a 75kWh battery takes around three hours and 45 minutes.
How Long Does a 22kW EV Charger Take?
Charging time depends mainly on the battery size, the amount of energy already in the battery and the maximum AC rate the vehicle can accept.
The estimates below assume that the vehicle can receive the full 22kW output. A small allowance has been included for energy lost during charging.
Battery size | Charging from 20% to 80% | Charging from 0% to 100% |
|---|---|---|
40kWh | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 2 hours |
50kWh | About 1 hour 30 minutes | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
60kWh | About 1 hour 50 minutes | About 3 hours |
75kWh | About 2 hours 15 minutes | About 3 hours 45 minutes |
100kWh | About 3 hours | About 5 hours |
Most drivers do not arrive home with an empty battery. If your car has 40% remaining and you only need to charge it to 80%, the charging session will be much shorter than the full-charge times shown above.
How Many Miles Does a 22kW Charger Add Per Hour?
A 22kW charger can normally add around 60 to 80 miles of range per hour to a compatible electric car. The exact amount depends on how efficiently the vehicle uses electricity.
A small and efficient electric car may gain more range from one hour of charging than a large electric SUV. Cold weather, motorway driving, cabin heating and battery condition can also affect the usable range.
Useful point: Kilowatts measure charging power, while kilowatt-hours measure the amount of energy stored. A charger delivering 22kW for one hour can supply up to 22kWh of electricity before normal charging losses are considered.
How to Calculate the Charging Time
You can estimate the charging time using this calculation:
Energy required in kWh ÷ actual charging power in kW = charging time in hours
For example, a 60kWh battery at 20% contains approximately 12kWh. Charging it to 80% requires another 36kWh.
Example calculation:
36kWh ÷ 22kW = approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes.
After allowing for energy losses and changes in the charging rate, a more practical estimate would be around one hour and 50 minutes.
Will Every Electric Car Charge at 22kW?
No. A 22kW rating describes the maximum output of the charging point. Your car may accept less than that amount.
Electric cars use an onboard charger to convert AC electricity into the DC electricity stored in the battery. If the onboard charger is limited to 7.4kW, the vehicle will only take around 7.4kW from a 22kW charging point.
Vehicle AC limit | Maximum speed on a 22kW charger | Approximate range added per hour |
|---|---|---|
7.4kW | Up to 7.4kW | Around 20 to 30 miles |
11kW | Up to 11kW | Around 30 to 40 miles |
22kW | Up to 22kW | Around 60 to 80 miles |
Check your vehicle handbook or technical specification for its maximum AC charging rate. Do not confuse the AC figure with the car's DC rapid-charging rate, which may be much higher.
Is a 22kW Charger Three Times Faster Than a 7kW Charger?
A 22kW charger can be close to three times faster than a 7kW charger, but only when the vehicle accepts 22kW AC charging.
If the car is limited to 7.4kW AC, there will be very little difference between using a 7kW unit and connecting the same car to a 22kW charging point. If the car accepts 11kW, it will charge faster than it would at 7kW, but it will still use only half of the charger's available output.
You can compare these results with our detailed guide explaining how long a 7kW charger takes to charge an electric car.
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Can You Install a 22kW Charger at Home?
A 22kW AC charger normally requires a 400V three-phase electricity supply. Most UK homes use a single-phase supply, which is usually more suitable for a 7kW home charger.
Some larger houses, farms, converted commercial properties and homes with power-hungry equipment may already have three-phase electricity. A qualified installer can inspect the incoming supply, electricity meter, consumer unit and available capacity.
Check before buying: A charging unit advertised as 22kW will not provide 22kW simply because it is connected to your house. The property must have the correct three-phase supply, and the car must support 22kW AC charging.
How Much Does a 22kW Home Charger Cost?
According to current InstantCost EV charger estimates, installing a 22kW charger normally costs approximately £1,400 to £2,200 when the property already has a suitable three-phase supply.
Installation type | Typical InstantCost estimate | What affects the price? |
|---|---|---|
Standard 7kW installation | £900 to £1,400 | Standard cable run with no major consumer unit work |
7kW installation with long cable run | £1,200 to £1,800 | Longer cabling, trenching or a detached garage |
22kW charger installation | £1,400 to £2,200 | Requires a suitable three-phase electricity supply |
Consumer unit upgrade | £450 to £900 | May be required when the existing board cannot support the installation |
A three-phase supply upgrade is separate from the normal charger installation. Its availability, timescale and cost depend on the property and the local electricity network. Arrange a site survey before committing to a 22kW unit.
What Can Reduce 22kW Charging Speed?
Even a compatible vehicle may occasionally charge below 22kW. Common reasons include:
Vehicle charging limit
The car may only accept 7.4kW or 11kW from an AC charging point.
Shared charger power
Some public charging posts divide their power between two connected vehicles.
Home load balancing
The charger may reduce its output when the property is using a large amount of electricity.
Battery temperature
Very cold or hot conditions can cause the vehicle to control charging more carefully.
Cable capability
The cable must support 32A three-phase charging to carry the full 22kW.
Charging settings
Timers, smart-tariff settings and current limits can reduce the charging rate.
Is 22kW Considered Rapid Charging?
A 22kW charging point is a relatively fast AC charger, but it is not normally considered a rapid DC charger.
Rapid DC chargers commonly start at 50kW, while ultra-rapid units can deliver 150kW or more. DC charging bypasses the vehicle's onboard AC charger, allowing compatible cars to receive electricity much faster.
A 22kW charger is better suited to places where a vehicle remains parked for one to several hours, including workplaces, hotels, leisure centres, destination car parks and homes with a suitable three-phase supply.
Is a 22kW Home Charger Worth It?
A 22kW charger may be worth installing when your property already has three-phase electricity and your current or future vehicle can accept more than 7kW AC.
It can also make sense for a business, a household with more than one electric vehicle or a property where cars need to be charged several times during the day.
A 7kW charger is usually sufficient when the vehicle remains parked overnight. Paying extra for a 22kW unit provides little immediate benefit if the car is limited to 7.4kW AC charging.
Check these points before choosing 22kW
The vehicle's maximum AC charging rate
Whether the property has three-phase electricity
The available capacity of the electrical supply
Your normal daily mileage
How long the car remains parked at home
The complete installation price
22kW EV Charger Safety Guidance
Important safety advice
A 22kW charger places a substantial continuous load on the electrical installation. It must be installed by a competent EV chargepoint installer who can assess the supply, earthing arrangement, cable size, protective equipment and load-management requirements.
The charger and installation should meet the appropriate UK requirements. You can review the UK Government residential chargepoint technical specification for official technical guidance.
Do not attempt to connect a home EV charger to the consumer unit yourself. Arrange an electrical assessment, especially if the property has an old consumer unit, damaged wiring or an uncertain earthing arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles does a 22kW charger add in one hour?
A compatible electric car may gain approximately 60 to 80 miles of range in one hour. The actual result depends on the vehicle's efficiency, weather and charging losses.
How long does a 22kW charger take to charge a 60kWh battery?
A complete charge takes approximately three hours. Charging from 20% to 80% takes around one hour and 50 minutes.
Why am I only getting 11kW from a 22kW charger?
Your car may have an 11kW onboard AC charger. The charging point cannot force the car to accept more electricity than its onboard system supports. Shared power and load balancing can also reduce the output.
Can a single-phase supply provide 22kW charging?
A standard 22kW AC charger normally requires a three-phase supply. Most single-phase UK homes are better suited to a charger rated at approximately 7kW.
Does a 22kW charger need a special cable?
Yes. Receiving the full output requires a Type 2 cable that supports 32A three-phase charging. A single-phase or lower-rated cable can restrict the charging speed.
Is 22kW charging bad for an EV battery?
Normal 22kW AC charging is controlled by the vehicle. The car only accepts a rate supported by its charging system and can reduce the power when necessary. Follow the manufacturer's recommended everyday charge limit.
Get an EV Charger Installation Estimate
A 22kW charger can recharge a compatible electric car within a few hours. However, it only provides its full performance when the car supports 22kW AC charging and the property has a suitable three-phase electricity supply.
Check both points before paying for a higher-powered charger. A professional survey can identify the appropriate charger and any electrical work required.
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