The difference
| Power supply | Dedicated charger | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-phase | 32 A, about 7 kW (7 to 7.4 kW chargers) | Most homes have single-phase power |
| Three-phase | 32 A per phase, up to 22 kW | The charger must connect and switch across all three phases |
You can also charge from an ordinary 10 A or 15 A power point, which is much slower. A dedicated charger is installed by a licensed electrician on its own circuit.
How long does charging take?
Charging time is roughly the energy you add divided by the charging power. Adding 40 kWh takes about 5.5 hours at 7.4 kW, or just under 2 hours at 22 kW, if your car can accept 22 kW. Real-world times are a little longer because of charging losses, and the car slows charging as the battery fills. Evnex quotes up to 50 km of range per hour of charging at 7.4 kW.
Your car's limit applies too. An EV's on-board charger caps how much AC power it accepts. If your car accepts 11 kW, a 22 kW charger charges it at 11 kW. Check your car's maximum AC charging rate in its specifications.
How to find out which supply you have
Most homes have single-phase power. A licensed electrician can confirm what you have when they look at your switchboard. In TSG Electrical's quote you can choose “Unsure” and see the price for both.
If you don't have three-phase power, ask a licensed electrical contractor whether your supply can be upgraded and what it would cost. Where a home has three-phase power and you install a single-phase charger, it must meet the phase-balancing requirements in the Queensland Electricity Connection Manual.
Queensland: 32 A single-phase chargers from 1 October 2026
From 1 October 2026, Energex and Ergon Energy withdrew the rule (clause 8.14.4(b) of the Queensland Electricity Connection Manual) that required single-phase chargers rated above 20 A to have active management: a network device, a dynamic connection or a controlled load tariff. A 32 A single-phase charger can now be connected to your main tariff. You can still choose a controlled load tariff if your retailer offers one, and your electrician still assesses your switchboard, wiring and maximum demand.
Three-phase chargers up to 22 kW connected across all three phases didn't need active device management before the change, and still don't.
Chargers by power supply
| Charger | Maximum AC power | Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Evnex E2 Flex | 7.4 kW | Single-phase |
| Evnex E2 Core | 7.4 kW | Single-phase |
| Evnex E2 Plus | 7.4 kW | Single-phase |
| Evnex X22 | 22 kW (7.4 kW on single-phase) | Three-phase for 22 kW; phase switching allows single-phase |
| myenergi zappi | 7 kW single-phase or 22 kW three-phase | Single or three-phase |
| myenergi zappi GLO | 7 kW | Single-phase |
| Smappee EV Wall | 7.4 kW single-phase or 22 kW three-phase | Single or three-phase |
The Evnex X22 is a three-phase charger whose phase switching also allows single-phase operation. The myenergi zappi and Smappee EV Wall work on single or three-phase supply in the same unit, so they suit a home planning a three-phase upgrade.
Questions
Can I install a 22 kW charger on single-phase power?
It will only charge at single-phase speed, about 7 kW. The Evnex X22's phase switching allows single-phase operation, and the myenergi zappi and Smappee EV Wall work on single or three-phase supply.
Is three-phase charging worth it?
Only if your car accepts more than about 7 kW on AC and you regularly need to add a lot of charge quickly. Many EVs charge below 22 kW on AC, so check your car's maximum AC rate first.
Sources
- Energex: EV charging and connections
- Ergon Energy: EV charging and connections
- Energex: Charging your EV
Product details are from each manufacturer's published documentation. Prices are in AUD and include GST.