Most New Zealand homes only need a 7kW charger, since most homes run single-phase power and most electric vehicles cap their onboard AC charging at 7kW or 11kW regardless of what the wall unit can supply. A 22kW charger only makes sense if the home has three-phase power and the car’s onboard charger can accept more than 7kW. evse.nz offers both the Ocular IQ Home Solar and Ocular IQ Wallbox V2 in 7kW and 22kW versions, so the choice comes down to the property’s power supply and the vehicle being charged.
| Factor | 7kW Charger | 22kW Charger |
| Power supply needed | Single-phase | Three-phase |
| Approx. range added per hour | 40km to 50km | 120km to 140km, if the vehicle supports it |
| Typical NZ home fit | Most homes | Homes already wired for three-phase, or willing to upgrade |
| Actual speed benefit | Full benefit, matches most EV onboard chargers | Only reached if the car’s onboard AC charger accepts more than 7kW |
| EVSE options | Ocular IQ Home Solar 7kW, Ocular IQ Wallbox V2 7kW | Ocular IQ Home Solar 22kW, Ocular IQ Wallbox V2 22kW |
A home charger’s maximum output only matters if the vehicle can actually use it. Every electric vehicle has an onboard charger that converts AC power from the wall unit into DC power stored in the battery, and that onboard charger has its own maximum AC input rate. A 22kW wall charger paired with a car limited to 7kW AC input will still only charge at 7kW.
| Vehicle Onboard AC Charger | Effective Speed on a 7kW Charger | Effective Speed on a 22kW Charger |
| Capped at 7kW | Full 7kW, no difference | Still limited to 7kW by the car |
| Capped at 11kW | Full 7kW, charger is the limit | Up to 11kW, faster than the 7kW unit |
| Capped at 22kW | Full 7kW, charger is the limit | Full 22kW, fastest possible AC charge |
Onboard AC charging limits vary by vehicle make and model. Check the specific car’s specification before choosing a 22kW charger.
The charger a home can use is also limited by the type of power supply already at the property.
Upgrading a single-phase home to three-phase power specifically to support 22kW charging adds cost and is generally only worthwhile if the vehicle’s onboard charger can use the extra power, or if the household plans to charge more than one EV at once.
Before choosing between 7kW and 22kW, it is worth checking the onboard AC charging specification of the vehicle being charged, since this determines whether a 22kW unit will be used at its full capacity. evse.nz lists chargers by car brand, which makes it easier to match a charger to a specific vehicle’s charging capability.
No. The vehicle’s onboard charger controls how much power it draws, so a 22kW wall unit paired with a 7kW-capable car will simply charge at 7kW, the car’s own limit.
Yes. A 22kW charging speed requires a three-phase power supply. A single-phase home is limited to a maximum of 7kW regardless of the charger installed.
Check the vehicle’s onboard AC charging specification first. If it caps at 7kW, a 22kW charger adds cost without adding charging speed.
This depends on the home’s power supply. If the property is single-phase, upgrading to three-phase power would be needed before a 22kW charger could operate at full speed, which is a separate project from replacing the charger itself.
Yes. Both the Ocular IQ Home Solar and Ocular IQ Wallbox V2 are available in 7kW and 22kW versions, so the same product range covers either power supply.
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