Wallbox 11 kW or 22 kW: Which One Should You Buy for Your Home?

Do you, like many other EV drivers, believe that a 22 kW wallbox is automatically the better choice because it charges faster? Our experience shows that's one of the things about home charging people get wrong surprisingly often.

An 11 kW wallbox is likely more than sufficient for your home. Whether a 22 kW wallbox is worth it depends on your EV, charging habits, home electrical installation, solar system, and future plans. 

Let's discuss this in more detail, so you can better understand which charging power suits your vehicle and charging habits.

The most important differences between 11 kW and 22 kW wallboxes come down to charging power, charging speed, electrical requirements, and local regulations. A 22 kW wallbox offers greater flexibility, as it can charge at both 11 kW and up to 22 kW. However, the higher charging power can only be used if the electric vehicle supports it.

Many EVs are limited to 11 kW AC charging anyway. In those cases, a 22 kW wallbox won't magically make charging faster — it's a bit like buying a sports car for city traffic.

A 22 kW wallbox can potentially charge two times faster than an 11 kW wallbox. But the actual charging speed is limited by three things: 

• your vehicle,

• your charging cable and 

• the electrical installation. 

On top of that, even if all the factors allow 22 kW charging, doing it overnight can make the difference irrelevant anyway.

How to estimate charging time:

Charging time (hours) = Battery capacity (kWh) ÷ Charging power (kW)

If you usually charge overnight (this way you can also benefit from flexible energy tariffs), you will normally have a full battery by morning, whether you use an 11 or 22 kW wallbox. That's how it happens for most EV drivers: they come home, plug in their car, and leave it charging till the next morning. In this scenario, it often makes little difference whether the process takes four hours or seven hours. That's why an 11 kW wallbox is sufficient for many households.

A 22 kW wallbox can make a real difference when charging time is critical – again, provided the car can accept 22 kW. It can be relevant for frequent drivers, company fleets (especially if charging is also offered to guests), or shared charging stations in apartment buildings.

The weakest component in the charging chain determines the maximum charging power. This means a 22 kW wallbox cannot deliver 22 kW if one of the chain links, whether it is your vehicle, charging cable, or electrical installation, supports less power.

Many electric vehicles, including Tesla Model Y, Škoda Elroq and Cupra Born, have onboard AC chargers that are limited to 11 kW. As a result, installing a 22 kW wallbox does not reduce charging time because the vehicle itself is the limiting factor.

The onboard charger converts AC power into battery-compatible DC power.

Many manufacturers limit AC charging power to:

• Reduce costs

• Improve efficiency

• Match typical charging behaviour

Even if both your EV and wallbox support higher charging power, you'll only get the maximum charging rate if the cable is rated for it as well. Choosing the right cable ensures that your charging setup performs as intended. That’s how you can make full use of the available charging power.

What a wrong setup could look like:

• EV supports 22 kW

• Wallbox supports 22 kW

• Cable supports only 11 kW

As a result, maximum charging power remains 11 kW.

So, always choose a charging cable that matches both your current and future charging requirements. Consider charging power rating, vehicle compatibility (e.g. type 1 or type 2), cable length and future vehicle upgrades. The price difference between 11 kW and 22 kW charging cables is usually very small. That's why many manufacturers, including go-e, offer only 22 kW-capable cables. This gives drivers more flexibility and ensures their charging setup is ready for future vehicles that may support higher AC charging speeds.

A 22 kW wallbox needs considerably more electrical capacity than an 11 kW model. If your home's electrical connection cannot handle it, you might run into extra installation costs or limitations. In some cases, your grid connection may even need an upgrade before you can take full advantage of the higher charging power.

In many countries, installing an 11 kW wallbox only requires registration with the grid operator. A 22 kW wallbox, however, may need prior approval before it can be installed and used. Depending on local regulations, this can impact installation timelines, costs, and whether a 22 kW wallbox is a practical option at all.

In Germany, the rules of thumb are simple:

• 11 kW wallbox: 

Since January 1, 2024, § 14a EnWG has required the registration of all newly installed EV charging stations with a charging capacity of 4.2 kW or more. The reason is the legally mandated controllability of these devices by the grid operator. As you don’t need to wait for any approvals, the process is usually quick and straightforward.

• 22 kW wallbox: 

You typically need prior approval from the grid operator before it can be installed and used, as it draws significantly more power. It needs to be ensured that the local grid can handle the extra load. 

Keep in mind that regulations aren't uniform everywhere. For example, in Austria, registration with the grid operator is mandatory in both cases. Furthermore, some federal states have additional registration requirements for charging stations, for example, due to building regulations.

The purchase price difference between the 11 kW and 22 kW versions is often surprisingly small. Wallbox installation, approval requirements, and electrical upgrades usually have a much greater impact on total costs.

For instance, the go-e Charger Gemini 2.0 11 kW costs EUR 819 (RRP), whereas the go-e Charger Gemini 2.0 22 kW costs EUR 829 (RRP). The 11 kW wallbox is therefore EUR 10 cheaper.

What costs to consider:

• Purchase

• Installation

• Approval

• Potential grid upgrade

The general tip here is not to compare wallboxes based only on purchase price. Evaluate total project costs instead.

* In order to use a mobile charger, you will need to have access to a power outlet that is compatible with the charger's plug and that can provide the necessary voltage and amperage.

Funding programmes for wallboxes vary by country, region, and installation type. Both 11 kW and 22 kW wallboxes may qualify for incentives, but eligibility rules change frequently. For example, in Germany, you can receive a subsidy of up to €1,500 for a charging station with a maximum charging power limited to 22 kW. Always verify current funding programmes before purchasing.

For most solar households, an 11 kW wallbox is already a very good fit for PV surplus charging. More charging power does not automatically mean better solar charging, because the available solar surplus often changes throughout the day and is usually below 22 kW.

PV surplus charging means that your EV uses the solar energy your household is not currently consuming. Instead of feeding this extra electricity into the grid, a smart wallbox can direct it to your car. This way, you use more of your own solar power and can reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid.

Most residential PV systems do not produce enough surplus energy to charge an EV continuously at 22 kW. Solar production depends on the 

• weather

• season

• time of day

• how much electricity your household is using at the same time

That means many homeowners would rarely use the full charging capacity of a 22 kW wallbox when charging mainly with PV power.

A 22 kW wallbox is a future-proof solution, but only in certain cases. Consider buying one if you:

• plan to switch to an EV that supports 22 kW AC charging

• expect a second EV in your household

• want to be prepared for higher charging demands in the future

That said, many EVs today are limited to 11 kW AC charging. For many households, an 11 kW wallbox remains a practical and future-ready choice for years to come.

For most private EV owners, an 11 kW wallbox is the right choice. A 22 kW wallbox is only worth considering if several specific conditions apply. Use this checklist to find out which option fits your situation.

Choose an 11 kW wallbox if you…

• drive an EV that supports a maximum AC charging power of 11 kW

• mainly charge overnight or while your car is parked for several hours

• drive average daily distances and don't need to recharge quickly during the day

• want to use PV surplus charging

• prefer a simpler installation process with fewer regulatory requirements

• live in a home with an electrical installation not designed for 22 kW charging

Choose a 22 kW wallbox if you...

• drive an EV that supports 22 kW AC charging

• regularly need to recharge your vehicle within a short period of time

• share the same charging station with other people

• use a company car, commercial vehicle, or operate a fleet

• live in a home with an electrical installation that can support 22 kW charging

• feel like faster charging would genuinely improve your daily routine

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