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Your EV may spend 12 hours parked at home, but that does not mean you need the biggest charger available. The right unit should comfortably replace the kilometres you drive, work safely with your electrical supply and make the most of your solar energy. If you are asking, “what size EV charger do I need?”, the answer usually comes down to your driving habits, your car’s charging capability and whether your home has single-phase or three-phase power.
For many Australian households, a 7kW home charger is the practical sweet spot. It provides a major step up from a standard power point, fits typical overnight charging routines and suits many EVs on the road. But it is not the right answer for every garage, fleet or business site.
What size EV charger do I need? Start with your daily driving
The simplest way to size an EV charger is to look at how much driving you need to replace overnight. Most drivers travel well below 100 kilometres a day. A properly installed 7kW charger can generally add around 40 to 50 kilometres of range per hour, depending on the vehicle, weather and charging losses. Park for the evening and you can usually wake up with more than enough range for the next day.
A smaller 2.3kW charger, typically supplied with the car for use from a regular 10A power point, may add roughly 10 to 15 kilometres of range per hour. It can work for low-kilometre driving, but charging is far slower and standard power points are not designed to carry high loads for extended periods every day. It is best viewed as a backup option rather than a long-term home charging plan.
If your household runs two EVs, regularly makes long regional trips or needs fast turnaround between drives, a larger charger may make sense. The goal is not to fill the battery as fast as possible every night. It is to have dependable access to the range you need without overloading your home electrical system or paying for capacity you will rarely use.
Understand the common charger sizes
Home and workplace EV chargers are normally described by their maximum AC output. Your vehicle may charge at a lower rate if its onboard charger has a lower limit, so bigger hardware does not automatically mean faster charging.
2.3kW: basic charging from a standard power point
A 2.3kW portable charger uses a standard 10A socket. It is convenient when visiting family, staying away from home or charging occasionally, but it can take more than a day to fully recharge a large battery. Before relying on one regularly, have an electrician check the outlet and circuit condition.
3.6kW: a modest dedicated option
A 3.6kW charger usually requires a dedicated 15A circuit. It is a sensible choice for drivers with lower daily kilometres, smaller battery vehicles or homes where electrical capacity is limited. It still offers a noticeable improvement over a portable charger and can replenish a typical day of driving while you sleep.
7kW: the popular single-phase home choice
A 7kW charger runs on single-phase power and generally requires a dedicated 32A circuit. This is the size that suits many Australian homes because it balances convenience with realistic household electrical capacity. For a family car charging overnight, it is often more than sufficient.
Keep in mind that a 7kW charger will only deliver 7kW if the EV can accept it on single-phase AC. Some vehicles have lower onboard charging limits, while others are designed to take advantage of higher three-phase charging rates.
11kW and 22kW: three-phase charging for higher demand
An 11kW charger is a strong option for homes with three-phase power, multiple EVs or heavier daily driving. It can add substantially more range each hour than a 7kW unit, provided the car supports 11kW AC charging.
A 22kW charger is most common in commercial settings, apartment developments and workplaces where vehicles need a faster turnover. It requires three-phase power and significant available electrical capacity. Many EVs cannot accept 22kW AC, so checking the vehicle specification is essential before selecting this size.
Your EV sets the real charging limit
The wall charger communicates with the vehicle, but the car decides how much AC power it can take. For example, an EV with a 7kW onboard charger will charge at up to 7kW even when connected to an 11kW or 22kW unit. Choosing a larger charger may still be worthwhile for a future vehicle, but it will not speed up your current car beyond its limit.
Do not confuse AC home charging with DC fast charging at public sites. DC chargers bypass the vehicle’s onboard AC charger and can deliver much higher outputs, which is why they are useful on long trips. At home, AC charging is usually the safer, more practical way to keep your EV ready each morning.
Before choosing equipment, check your car’s maximum AC charging rate in the owner’s manual or manufacturer specifications. Also confirm the connector type required by your vehicle. Most newer EVs in Australia use Type 2 for AC charging, but the right cable and charger configuration still matter.
Single-phase or three-phase power changes the answer
Many Australian homes have single-phase power, making a 7kW charger the usual maximum practical choice without major electrical upgrades. Some homes have three-phase supply, particularly newer or larger properties, and can potentially support 11kW or 22kW charging.
Three-phase supply alone does not guarantee you can install a higher-output charger. Your switchboard, incoming supply, existing appliances and electrical load all need to be assessed. Ducted air conditioning, electric hot water, pool pumps, induction cooktops and solar batteries can all affect the capacity available at a given time.
A qualified installer will assess the switchboard, cable route, distance to the parking area and available load before recommending a charger size. This is not a box-ticking exercise. A long cable run or an older switchboard can influence what is required for a safe, reliable installation.
Choose a charger that works with your solar system
For solar households, the best EV charger is often one that can intelligently use excess solar generation. Charging an EV in the middle of a sunny day can turn surplus rooftop generation into kilometres on the road rather than exporting it to the grid.
There is a trade-off. A 7kW charger can draw more power than a typical residential solar system is producing at certain times, especially with cloud cover or household appliances running. Without smart controls, the shortfall may come from the grid. A charger with solar-aware charging can vary its output to follow available solar generation, helping you use more of the energy your system produces.
This is particularly valuable if you work from home, have flexible charging hours or can schedule charging during daylight. If you arrive home late and need to charge overnight, off-peak electricity periods may be more relevant than solar matching. The right setup should suit how you actually live, not an idealised routine.
Smart features matter as much as charger size
A quality EV charger should do more than supply power. Smart scheduling can help you charge during preferred times, while app monitoring lets you see charging status and energy use from your mobile. For solar-equipped homes, solar diversion or dynamic charging features can make a meaningful difference to how efficiently you use your generation.
Dynamic load balancing is especially useful where household electrical demand is high. It can reduce charging output temporarily when other major appliances are running, then increase it again when capacity is available. That helps protect your main supply and may avoid the need for unnecessary upgrades.
For outdoor installations, choose a unit with suitable weather protection and a durable enclosure. Consider where the cable will sit when not in use, whether all drivers can access the parking bay easily and how future vehicles may be parked. Good charger placement makes daily charging effortless rather than another task to manage.
The practical recommendation for most homes
If you drive a typical daily distance, park at home overnight and have single-phase power, a 7kW smart charger is usually the strongest all-round choice. It is fast enough for everyday use, compatible with many EVs and well suited to homes with solar when paired with intelligent charging controls.
Choose 3.6kW if your driving is light or your available electrical capacity is constrained. Consider 11kW if you have three-phase power, an EV that supports it and a genuine need to add more range in less time. A 22kW charger is generally best reserved for higher-demand commercial and shared charging environments rather than a standard household garage.
A proper assessment turns a confusing specification sheet into a charger that suits your car, your property and your energy goals. Solar Miner can help match your EV charging solution with your existing electrical setup and solar system, so every charge is built around practical savings and reliable everyday use.
