If you have three-phase power at home, you can charge at 22kW—over 3x faster than standard 7kW chargers. This guide reviews the best 22kW three-phase EV chargers available in the UK in 2025.
Key Insight: Three-phase charging adds 80-100 miles of range per hour vs 25-30 miles on single-phase.
Do You Have Three-Phase Power?
How to Check
Quick Checks:
- Look at your meter - Three-phase meters are larger with 3 sets of readings
- Check your consumer unit - Three-phase has 3 main switches (one per phase)
- Count incoming cables - Three-phase has 4 wires (3 phases + neutral)
- Ask your DNO - They can confirm your supply type
Property Types with Three-Phase:
- Large detached houses (especially new builds)
- Farms and rural properties
- Properties with workshops/outbuildings
- Some commercial-to-residential conversions
- High-end new developments
Most UK Homes: Single-phase (7kW max) Estimated Three-Phase Homes: 5-8% of UK properties
Can You Get Three-Phase Installed?
Yes, but it's expensive:
| Upgrade Type | Cost | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| DNO supply upgrade | £1,500-£5,000 | 8-16 weeks |
| Internal wiring upgrade | £800-£2,000 | 1-2 days |
| Consumer unit replacement | £400-£800 | 1 day |
| Total | £2,700-£7,800 | 10-18 weeks |
When It Makes Sense:
- You have a vehicle that can accept 11kW+ AC
- You need fast home charging (multiple EVs, high daily mileage)
- You're already upgrading property electrics
- Commercial use (business vehicles)
When It Doesn't Make Sense:
- Your EV only accepts 7kW AC anyway (check your car's specs)
- You charge overnight (7kW is plenty for 8+ hours)
- Budget is limited
Best 22kW Three-Phase Chargers UK 2025
1. Zappi v2.1 Three-Phase ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Overall - Solar Integration Champion
Price: £879-£949 (unit only) Installation: £400-£700 Total Installed: £1,280-£1,650
Key Features:
- 22kW three-phase output
- Solar PV integration (ECO/ECO+ modes)
- Works with myenergi ecosystem (Eddi, Libbi, Harvi)
- Dynamic load balancing via CT clamp
- Tethered or socketed options
- 3-year warranty
Pros:
- ✅ Best solar integration on market
- ✅ Excellent app with detailed statistics
- ✅ British designed and supported
- ✅ Future-proofed for V2G
- ✅ Works without internet (local control)
Cons:
- ❌ App can be complex for beginners
- ❌ No Octopus Intelligent integration (yet)
- ❌ Premium pricing
Best For: Solar panel owners, energy enthusiasts, myenergi ecosystem users.
Real User Review: "Installed the 22kW Zappi alongside our 8kW solar system. In summer, we charge almost entirely free using ECO+ mode. The detailed energy stats are brilliant." - ThreePhaseSteve, SpeakEV
2. Wallbox Pulsar Max 22kW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best All-Rounder - Smart Features Champion
Price: £649-£749 (unit only) Installation: £400-£700 Total Installed: £1,050-£1,450
Key Features:
- 22kW three-phase output
- Compact, stylish design
- Excellent Wallbox app
- Power Boost dynamic load management
- Bidirectional ready (future V2G)
- 3-year warranty
Pros:
- ✅ Best app experience overall
- ✅ Compact and attractive design
- ✅ Power Boost included (no extra cost)
- ✅ Excellent reliability record
- ✅ Good price for features
Cons:
- ❌ Solar integration not as sophisticated as Zappi
- ❌ Requires WiFi for smart features
- ❌ No socket option (tethered only for 22kW)
Best For: Most three-phase users, tech-savvy owners, design-conscious buyers.
Real User Review: "Upgraded from a 7kW Pulsar Plus to the 22kW Max. Installation was straightforward. The app is still the best in class. Adds 100 miles in an hour." - PulsarFan22, r/EVCharging
3. Easee Home 22kW ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Looking - Design Award Winner
Price: £749-£849 (unit only) Installation: £450-£750 Total Installed: £1,200-£1,600
Key Features:
- 22kW three-phase output
- Ultra-compact design (smallest 22kW charger)
- Built-in load balancing (no CT clamp needed)
- Modular and scalable (add more chargers easily)
- Cable lock for security
- 3-year warranty
Pros:
- ✅ Stunning minimalist design
- ✅ Incredibly compact
- ✅ Built-in load balancing
- ✅ Easy to add second charger
- ✅ Norwegian quality
Cons:
- ❌ No solar divert mode
- ❌ Untethered only (need separate cable)
- ❌ App less feature-rich than competitors
Best For: Design-conscious owners, multi-EV households planning expansion, those wanting discrete installation.
Real User Review: "The Easee is genuinely beautiful. Visitors don't even realise it's an EV charger. Build quality is exceptional." - DesignLover, Instagram
4. Ohme Home Pro 22kW ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for Smart Tariffs - Octopus Integration Champion
Price: £699-£799 (unit only) Installation: £400-£700 Total Installed: £1,100-£1,500
Key Features:
- 22kW three-phase output
- Native Octopus Intelligent Go integration
- Smart tariff optimisation built-in
- Solar integration via CT clamp
- Detailed cost tracking
- 3-year warranty
Pros:
- ✅ Best Octopus integration
- ✅ Accurate cost per session tracking
- ✅ Automatic cheapest-time charging
- ✅ Good solar integration
- ✅ Excellent UK support
Cons:
- ❌ Design less premium than competitors
- ❌ Requires good WiFi signal
- ❌ Some app bugs reported (improving)
Best For: Octopus Energy customers, cost-conscious owners, those wanting automatic tariff optimisation.
Real User Review: "The Ohme just works with Octopus. I plug in, set departure time, and it charges at 7.5p/kWh automatically. Saves me £50+/month." - SmartCharger22, Trustpilot
5. ABL eMH1 22kW ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for Reliability - German Engineering
Price: £899-£1,099 (unit only) Installation: £450-£750 Total Installed: £1,350-£1,850
Key Features:
- 22kW three-phase output
- German engineering (Mercedes-Benz supplier)
- Industrial-grade build quality
- Basic but reliable operation
- IP54 weatherproofing
- 2-year warranty (extendable)
Pros:
- ✅ Exceptional build quality
- ✅ Proven reliability (fleet/commercial grade)
- ✅ Simple, no-nonsense operation
- ✅ Works without internet
- ✅ Long service life expected
Cons:
- ❌ Limited smart features
- ❌ Basic app
- ❌ Higher price for features offered
- ❌ Design is functional rather than stylish
Best For: Reliability-focused buyers, commercial users, those wanting simple plug-and-charge operation.
Real User Review: "We have ABL chargers at our company fleet depot. After 5 years and thousands of charges, zero failures. Bought one for home." - FleetManager, LinkedIn
6. EVBox Elvi 22kW ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for Modular Setup - Business-Grade
Price: £799-£999 (unit only) Installation: £450-£750 Total Installed: £1,250-£1,750
Key Features:
- 22kW three-phase output
- Modular design (upgradeable)
- Smart charging management
- Load balancing for multiple units
- 3-year warranty
Pros:
- ✅ Modular and upgradeable
- ✅ Excellent for multiple chargers
- ✅ Business-grade reliability
- ✅ Good app and backend management
Cons:
- ❌ Premium pricing
- ❌ Less consumer-focused
- ❌ Limited UK installer network
Best For: Multi-EV households, home businesses, those planning expansion.
Comparison Table
| Charger | Price (Installed) | Solar | Smart Tariff | App Quality | Design | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zappi v2.1 22kW | £1,280-£1,650 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Wallbox Pulsar Max 22kW | £1,050-£1,450 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Easee Home 22kW | £1,200-£1,600 | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ohme Home Pro 22kW | £1,100-£1,500 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ABL eMH1 22kW | £1,350-£1,850 | ⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| EVBox Elvi 22kW | £1,250-£1,750 | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Can Your EV Use 22kW?
Critical Check: Not all EVs can accept 22kW AC charging. Many are limited to 7kW or 11kW.
EVs That Accept 22kW AC
| Vehicle | Max AC Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Renault Zoe | 22kW | Best AC charger in class |
| Renault Megane E-Tech | 22kW | Standard on all models |
| MG4 | 11kW (optional 22kW) | Check spec |
| Mercedes EQS/EQE | 22kW | Standard |
| Mercedes EQA/EQB | 11kW | Not 22kW |
| BMW iX | 11kW (22kW optional) | Check spec |
| Audi e-tron GT | 22kW | Standard |
| Porsche Taycan | 22kW | Standard |
EVs Limited to 11kW AC
| Vehicle | Max AC Charge |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 11kW |
| Tesla Model Y | 11kW |
| VW ID.3/ID.4/ID.5 | 11kW |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 11kW |
| Kia EV6 | 11kW |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 11kW |
| Polestar 2 | 11kW |
EVs Limited to 7kW AC
| Vehicle | Max AC Charge |
|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | 6.6kW |
| Most PHEVs | 3.6-7.4kW |
| Older EVs | Various |
If Your Car Only Accepts 11kW: A 22kW charger will still work—it will just charge at 11kW. You're future-proofed if you upgrade to a 22kW-capable EV later.
Installation Considerations
Three-Phase Specific Requirements
Electrical Requirements:
- Three-phase supply (100A typical)
- Balanced load across phases (installer handles this)
- Adequate earthing (TN-C-S or TN-S)
- Consumer unit with three-phase capacity
- Cable: 6mm² minimum (10mm² for longer runs)
Installation Differences vs Single-Phase:
- Slightly more complex wiring
- Installer must balance loads
- May need DNO notification (over 13.8kW requires it)
- Cable is thicker (more expensive)
- Testing more involved
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Single-Phase 7kW | Three-Phase 22kW |
|---|---|---|
| Charger unit | £500-£700 | £650-£1,100 |
| Cable (10m) | £80-£150 | £150-£250 |
| Installation labour | £200-£400 | £350-£600 |
| DNO notification | Free (usually) | £50-£100 |
| Total | £780-£1,250 | £1,200-£2,050 |
Premium for 22kW: Approximately £400-£800 more than equivalent 7kW charger.
Finding a Three-Phase Installer
Requirements:
- OZEV-approved (for grant, if applicable)
- Experience with three-phase installations
- NICEIC or NAPIT registered
- Specific training on chosen charger brand
Questions to Ask:
- "How many three-phase installations have you done?"
- "Do you have three-phase certification?"
- "Will you handle DNO notification?"
- "Can you balance loads across phases?"
Real-World Charging Speeds
What 22kW Actually Delivers
Theoretical Maximum:
- 22kW = approximately 80-100 miles of range per hour
Real-World Factors:
- Car's max AC rate (may limit to 11kW)
- Battery temperature (cold = slower)
- State of charge (slows near 100%)
- Supply voltage fluctuation
Realistic Expectations:
| Scenario | Actual Speed | Range Per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| 22kW car, warm battery | 21-22kW | 80-100 miles |
| 11kW car on 22kW charger | 10-11kW | 35-40 miles |
| Cold battery (<5°C) | 15-18kW | 55-70 miles |
| Near full (>80%) | 10-15kW | 35-55 miles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 22kW charger worth it if my car only charges at 11kW?
It can be. The 22kW charger future-proofs your installation for your next EV. However, if budget is tight and you're not planning to upgrade soon, an 11kW charger offers better value. The 22kW charger will work fine at 11kW.
Do I need DNO permission for a 22kW charger?
Yes. Any installation over 13.8kW requires DNO notification. Your installer should handle this. The DNO rarely refuses but needs to know about the load on their network. Allow 2-4 weeks for approval.
Can I run a 22kW charger on single-phase power?
No. 22kW requires three-phase power. The maximum on single-phase is 7.4kW (32A). If you only have single-phase, you'd need a supply upgrade (£2,000-£5,000+) before installing a 22kW charger.
Which 22kW charger is best for solar panels?
The Zappi v2.1 is the clear winner for solar integration. Its ECO and ECO+ modes automatically use surplus solar before drawing from the grid. The myenergi ecosystem (with Eddi for hot water divert) creates a complete solar energy management system.
How much does it cost to run a 22kW charger?
The charger uses the same electricity rate regardless of power. A 22kW charger charging at 22kW for 1 hour uses 22kWh (about £5.28 at 24p/kWh or £1.65 at 7.5p/kWh smart rate). It's faster, not more expensive per kWh.
Can I install a 22kW charger myself?
No. All EV charger installations require a qualified electrician. Three-phase installations are more complex and must comply with BS 7671. DIY installation voids warranties, invalidates insurance, and is illegal for Part P notifiable work.
