The most common question before buying a wallbox: 11 or 22 kW? For most households the answer is simple, but it depends on the car, the grid connection and how many cars you charge. Numbers, not marketing.
What 11 kW and 22 kW mean in practice
A wallbox's power rating tells you how much energy it can deliver to the car per hour. An 11 kW wallbox charges three-phase at 16 A, a 22 kW wallbox three-phase at 32 A. In one hour the battery gains roughly 11 or 22 kWh. With a typical consumption of 15 to 20 kWh per 100 km that means 55 to 70 km of range per hour at 11 kW and twice that at 22 kW.
The detail sellers often skip: the charging power is limited by the car's on-board charger, not by the wallbox. Most electric cars have an 11 kW on-board charger. A 22 kW wallbox does nothing for them, the car simply draws 11 kW. The full 22 kW is only used by cars with a 22 kW on-board charger, for example the Renault Zoe and Megane E-Tech, some BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche models with the optional charger.
Comparison table: socket, 11 kW and 22 kW
| Household socket 230 V | Wallbox 11 kW | Wallbox 22 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current and phases | 10 A, single phase | 16 A, three phase | 32 A, three phase |
| Real power | 2.3 kW | 11 kW | 22 kW (only with a 22 kW on-board charger) |
| Range per hour | 12 to 15 km | 55 to 70 km | 110 to 140 km |
| 60 kWh battery from 20 to 80 % | about 16 hours | about 3.5 hours | about 1.7 hours |
| Circuit breaker | existing circuit | 3× 16 A | 3× 32 A |
| Supply cable up to 30 m | existing | 5× 6 mm² | 5× 6 mm², longer runs 5× 10 mm² |
| Main fuse | unchanged | usually unchanged (3× 25 A) | often an upgrade of the main fuse |
| e:car WALL BASIC price | - | from CZK 14,900 (about EUR 600) excl. VAT | from CZK 16,900 (about EUR 680) excl. VAT |
When 11 kW is enough
For the vast majority of households 11 kW is the right choice. The car sits at home overnight for 8 to 10 hours; in that time an 11 kW wallbox delivers 88 to 110 kWh, more than the capacity of any mainstream EV battery. Advantages of 11 kW:
- A standard 3× 25 A main fuse is enough. In most family houses you do not need to ask the grid operator for a higher connection, which costs time and money.
- Lower load on the grid and the car. Slower AC charging is gentler on the battery and needs no cable cooling.
- Compatibility. Practically every EV and plug-in hybrid can use 11 kW. Cars with a single-phase charger (many plug-in hybrids) draw 3.7 kW from an 11 kW wallbox, exactly as they would from a 22 kW one.
- Lower cost. The difference on the wallbox itself is small, but the savings on the breaker, cable and reserved capacity are usually much larger.
When 22 kW pays off
- Your car has a 22 kW on-board charger and you need a fast top-up during the day, for example when working from home with frequent trips.
- You charge two cars on one station. The dual-outlet e:car WALL double splits the power between both cars, so 22 kW gives each of them 11 kW.
- It is company or semi-public charging where cars rotate during the day and turnover matters.
- You want headroom for the future. IONT tech wallboxes have adjustable power; a 22 kW unit can run at 11 kW and be turned up later without replacing it.
Single-phase charging and apartment buildings
Apartment garages often have no three-phase supply at the parking space. The solution is a single-phase wallbox at 3.7 kW (16 A) or 7.4 kW (32 A). Overnight it delivers 30 to 60 kWh, enough for daily commuting. See our guide to charging in apartment buildings.
Socket or cable?
Independently of power you choose between a Type 2 socket and an integrated cable. The socket is universal and suits publicly accessible places; the cable is more convenient for daily home use. IONT tech offers both as well as a combination on the dual-outlet version. More in How to choose a wallbox.
Common mistakes when choosing the power
- Buying 22 kW "to be safe" and paying for a bigger connection. The grid operator charges a higher monthly fee for a larger main fuse and sometimes the connection has to be rebuilt. Meanwhile the car takes only 11 kW.
- Underestimating cable length. A garage 40 m from the switchboard needs a 10 mm² cross-section, otherwise voltage drops and the wallbox reports an error.
- Forgetting the second car. Households that buy a first EV often have a second within three years. A dual-outlet station, or at least a prepared supply, saves a second installation.
- Choosing BASIC for a house with solar. A basic wallbox charges at constant power and cannot use rooftop surplus. Upgrading later costs more than choosing SMART now.
- Solving the power and forgetting the inspection. Without an inspection report you cannot claim a subsidy or the EV tariff, and the insurer may reduce a payout.
Which cars really use 22 kW
A 22 kW on-board charger comes standard or as an option on the Renault Zoe and Megane E-Tech, Smart #1 and #3, some versions of the BMW i4, iX and i7, Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS, Porsche Taycan and Macan Electric or Audi e-tron GT. Most Volkswagen Group cars (ID.3, ID.4, Enyaq, Born), Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, Peugeot, Opel and Toyota charge on AC at 11 kW at most. Before buying a 22 kW wallbox, check the "AC charging" or "on-board charger" line in the car's data sheet.
What else matters: smart functions
Power is not the only criterion. If you have or plan photovoltaics you need a wallbox with dynamic load management and communication with the inverter, i.e. the SMART version. It protects the house's main fuse, charges with rooftop surplus and meters consumption in the IONT.info app.
| Situation | Recommended IONT tech wallbox | Price excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| One car, house without solar | e:car WALL BASIC 11 kW | from CZK 14,900 (about EUR 600) |
| House with photovoltaics | e:car WALL SMART 11 kW | from CZK 21,900 (about EUR 880) |
| Car with 22 kW charger, fast daytime top-up | e:car WALL SMART 22 kW | from CZK 24,900 (about EUR 1,000) |
| Two cars in the garage | e:car WALL double SMART | from CZK 37,900 (about EUR 1,520) |
| Company, apartment building, billing | e:car WALL PRO, 2× 22 kW | from CZK 58,000 (about EUR 2,320) |
Not sure whether 11 or 22 kW?
Tell us your car model and the state of your connection. Free advice and a quote including installation. We ship across the EU.
Summary in five points
- An 11 kW wallbox delivers more than 100 kWh overnight; for a one-car household it is the right choice.
- 22 kW is only used by cars with a 22 kW on-board charger, or by two cars on one station.
- Size the supply for 32 A right away (5× 6 mm² up to 30 m); power can be changed in settings.
- With photovoltaics or a standard 3× 25 A fuse, choose the SMART version with dynamic load management.
- Have the installation and inspection done by a licensed electrician.
Často kladené otázky
Will a 22 kW wallbox charge my car faster than 11 kW?
Only if the car has a 22 kW on-board charger. Most EVs have an 11 kW charger and draw the same 11 kW from a 22 kW wallbox. Check the AC charging power in the car's data sheet.
Do I need a bigger main fuse for an 11 kW wallbox?
Usually not. An 11 kW wallbox draws 16 A per phase and fits alongside the household on a standard 3× 25 A fuse. The SMART wallbox can also reduce power dynamically when the house's consumption rises.
What cable from the switchboard to the wallbox?
For 11 and 22 kW up to about 30 m a 5× 6 mm² cable, for longer runs 5× 10 mm² to avoid voltage drop. The residual current protection is integrated in IONT tech wallboxes.
Can I run a 22 kW wallbox at 11 kW?
Yes. The power of e:car WALL wallboxes is adjustable. You can start at 11 kW with a 3× 16 A breaker and move to 22 kW after upgrading the connection without replacing the station.
How much does an 11 kW wallbox cost installed?
The e:car WALL BASIC 11 kW costs from CZK 14,900 (about EUR 600) excl. VAT, SMART from CZK 21,900 (about EUR 880). Installation and inspection depend on cable length and the switchboard; we prepare a quote on request.
Is 11 kW enough for a plug-in hybrid?
Yes, with margin. Most plug-in hybrids charge single-phase at 3.7 kW and fill a 10 to 20 kWh battery in 3 to 5 hours from any wallbox.