A 22kW EV charger is the fastest AC charger you can install at home. It runs on three-phase power and adds roughly 120km of driving range per hour of charging, compared to about 40km per hour from a standard 7kW unit.
Not every home can run one, and not every EV can use the full 22kW. This guide covers how these chargers work, what your property needs, which models are available in Australia, and whether the upgrade makes financial sense for your situation.
Need a 22kW charger installed? SolaXs is a CEC-accredited installer with 25+ years experience on the Mid North Coast. Get a free EV charger quote today.
What a 22kW EV Charger Actually Does
Every home EV charger is an AC (alternating current) Level 2 charger. The number before “kW” tells you how much power it delivers to your car per hour. A 22kW charger pushes 22 kilowatts, which your car’s onboard charger converts to DC to fill the battery.
In practical terms, a 22kW charger can fully charge a 60kWh battery in under 3 hours. A 7kW charger takes 8 to 9 hours for the same battery. That speed difference matters if you drive long distances daily or need your car topped up quickly between trips.
- Charging speed: Roughly 120km of range added per hour
- Full charge time: 2.5 to 3 hours for a typical 60kWh battery
- Power supply required: Three-phase (400V)
- Current draw: 32A per phase (3 x 32A)
- Connector type: Type 2 (standard for all EVs sold in Australia)
Why 22kW Needs Three-Phase Power
Most Australian homes run on single-phase power. That single phase delivers around 230V and supports a maximum charging speed of 7.4kW. You cannot get 22kW from single-phase supply, regardless of which charger you buy.
Three-phase power delivers electricity through three conductors instead of one, roughly tripling the available power. It runs at about 400V and is what lets a 22kW charger draw 32A across all three phases simultaneously.
| Single Phase | Three Phase | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 230V | 400V |
| Max EV charging speed | 7.4kW | 22kW |
| Range added per hour | ~40km | ~120km |
| Full charge (60kWh battery) | 8-9 hours | 2.5-3 hours |
| Typical residential availability | Most homes | Some homes, common in rural/older properties |
How to check your power supply
Open your meter box and count the pole switches on your main circuit breaker. A single-phase supply has a single-pole or double-pole breaker. Three-phase has a triple-pole breaker (three switches ganged together). If you are not sure, your electrician can confirm it during a site visit.
Can you upgrade to three-phase? In most areas, yes. Your electricity distributor handles the supply upgrade, which typically costs $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the distance from the street transformer to your meter box. Your electrician can coordinate this for you.
Does Your EV Actually Use 22kW
Here is where people get caught out. A 22kW charger can deliver 22kW, but your car will only accept what its onboard AC charger can handle. If your EV has an 11kW onboard charger, plugging into a 22kW wallbox still gives you 11kW.
Plenty of popular EVs sold in Australia cap at 11kW AC. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y both have 11kW onboard chargers. The BYD Atto 3 supports 7kW on single phase and 11kW on three phase in the standard configuration.
EVs that support full 22kW AC charging
- Renault Zoe: 22kW AC as standard, one of the first to offer it
- BMW iX M60: 22kW AC as standard
- BMW i5: 22kW onboard charger available
- Porsche Taycan: 22kW AC available as an option
- Some Hyundai/Kia models: Selected trims with 22kW onboard chargers
- MG ZS EV (2024+): 22kW capable on three-phase
Check your owner’s manual or the spec sheet on the manufacturer’s website for “onboard charger” or “AC charging” capacity. That number is your ceiling, not the wallbox rating.
Still worth it with an 11kW car? Absolutely. A 22kW charger running an 11kW car still charges at 11kW, which is faster than the 7kW you get from single-phase. And if your next EV supports 22kW, the charger is already there.
Popular 22kW EV Chargers in Australia
The 22kW charger market in Australia has grown quickly. These are the models we see most often and the ones worth considering.
| Model | Output | Key Feature | Approx. Unit Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocular LTE Plus | 22kW (3-phase) | LCD screen, IP66, IK10 impact rated | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| Zappi V2 (3-phase) | 22kW (3-phase) | Solar diversion built in, eco modes | $1,645 – $1,695 |
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus | 22kW (3-phase) | Compact design, smart solar charging | ~$1,650 |
| Tesla Wall Connector | 22kW (3-phase) | Wi-Fi app control, 4-year warranty | ~$780 |
| Goodwe HCA | 22kW (3-phase) | OCPP compatible, 5-year warranty | $1,000 – $1,400 |
| Evnex X22 | 22kW (3-phase) | Tethered or socketed, NZ designed | $1,400 – $1,800 |
The Tesla Wall Connector stands out on price. The Zappi is the best choice if you want to divert excess solar generation directly to your car without a separate controller. The Ocular LTE sits well in the mid-range with the best weatherproofing in the group (IP66).
All of these use the universal Type 2 connector and work with every EV sold in Australia. The choice comes down to warranty length, app quality, solar integration and your budget.
What 22kW Charger Installation Involves
Installing a 22kW charger is a bigger job than a standard 7kW unit. The three-phase wiring, heavier cable and larger circuit breaker all add to the complexity and cost.
Installation steps
- Site assessment. Your electrician checks whether you have three-phase supply, inspects the switchboard for capacity, and measures the cable run distance.
- Three-phase upgrade (if needed). If your property only has single-phase, upgrading to three-phase is arranged through your electricity distributor.
- Switchboard work. A dedicated 32A three-phase circuit breaker and RCD are installed.
- Cable run and mounting. Heavy-gauge cable runs from the switchboard to the charger location. The charger mounts on a wall or optional floor pedestal.
- Testing and commissioning. The electrician tests the circuit, verifies fault protection and confirms the charger operates at the correct output.
Cost breakdown
- Charger unit: $780 to $1,800 depending on model
- Standard three-phase installation: $800 to $1,500 for labour and materials
- Switchboard upgrade (if needed): $500 to $1,500
- Three-phase supply upgrade (if needed): $1,000 to $5,000 (paid to your distributor)
- Total range: $1,600 to $4,800 all-in, depending on your starting point
The biggest variable is whether you already have three-phase power. If you do, the install is similar in complexity to a 7kW charger, just with heavier cable. If you need a supply upgrade, that adds time and cost before the charger work even starts.
EV Charger Rebates in Australia
Several government programs can reduce the cost of installing an EV charger. These change frequently, so check the current eligibility before you commit.
- DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream (Federal): Up to $3,000 per eligible smart EV charging plug. This program runs until April 2028 and applies to businesses, dealerships and EV repairers.
- ACT Sustainable Household Scheme: Zero-interest loans up to $15,000 for EVs or home charging equipment.
- Northern Territory: $1,000 rebate for home EV charger installation (homeowners) or up to $2,500 for businesses. Open until June 2026.
- Western Australia Charge Up Grants: Co-funding 50% of charger installation costs for businesses and local governments.
NSW does not currently have a dedicated EV charger rebate for residential installations, though this can change at any time. Pairing your charger with a solar system is the best way to offset running costs on the Mid North Coast.
Is a 22kW Charger Worth It for Your Home
A 22kW charger makes sense in specific situations. For most Australian households, a 7kW single-phase charger handles overnight charging without any issue. Here is when the upgrade is worth the extra spend.
The 22kW charger suits you if
- Your property already has three-phase power
- You drive more than 200km per day and need fast turnaround charging
- Your EV supports 22kW or 11kW AC charging (you get faster speeds than single-phase either way)
- You run a business with fleet vehicles that need to charge during the day
- You want to future-proof for your next EV, which may support higher AC speeds
Stick with 7kW if
- You only have single-phase power and do not want to pay for a supply upgrade
- You drive under 100km per day (overnight charging covers it easily)
- Your EV caps at 7kW AC anyway (check your onboard charger spec)
For homeowners with solar, the calculation changes. A 22kW charger paired with a solar battery lets you charge your car from your own roof during the day. That combination of solar generation, battery storage and fast EV charging is where the long-term savings stack up.
If you are on the Mid North Coast and want to work out which charger suits your home, SolaXs can help. We install Ocular, Tesla, Goodwe and Sigenergy chargers and can recommend the right option based on your switchboard, power supply and driving habits.
Book a free EV charger consultation or call our team to get started.
For more information, see the Australian Government electric vehicles guide and the ARENA EV charging infrastructure.