Charging your electric vehicle at home is convenient, economical, and safe—if you choose the right charging station. The higher the power, the faster your charging station will charge your car, but it must also match your electrical system.
Find out how to choose your charging station based on your vehicle, your charging habits and your electricity meter!
What does the power of a charging station mean?
A charging station's kilowatt (kW) rating refers to the amount of electricity it can supply to your vehicle. The more powerful it is, the faster the charge. There are three main power types for alternating current (AC, which is what most home systems use):
| Terminal power | Estimated recharge time* | Installation type |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7 kW | 8 to 12 p.m. | Single phase |
| 7.4 kW | 4 to 7 a.m. | Single phase |
| 11 kW | 3 to 5 hours | Three-phase |
| 22 kW | 1.5 to 3 hours | Three-phase (pro) |
*Estimated time for a 50 to 60 kWh battery, depending on the capacity accepted by the vehicle.
💡 Good to know: The car also limits the maximum power it can charge. So, if your car only supports 7.4 kW, it won't benefit from a 22 kW terminal.
How to choose the right terminal power?
When sizing your charging station, certain criteria must be taken into consideration.
✅ 1. The capacity of your vehicle's battery
The bigger the battery, the longer it takes to charge—unless you have a more powerful charging station.
✅ 2. Your daily mileage
If you travel 30 to 50 km per day, a 3.7 kW station may be sufficient. Otherwise, opt for a 7.4 kW or even 11 kW station for a full weekday fast charge.
✅ 3. The time you have to recharge
If you're primarily charging overnight, a moderate power output is adequate. For quick charges (say, between trips), a higher power output will be more comfortable.
✅ 4. The type of electricity in your home
Single-phase, the most common type in homes, allows for power outputs of up to 7.4 kW. A three-phase installation, on the other hand, can provide up to 11 or 22 kW, provided the electrical terminal is suitable.
Here is an example of correspondence to guide you:
| Vehicle type | Battery capacity | Recommended terminal | Estimated charging time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric city car | 20-30 kWh | 3.7 kW | 6 to 8 hours |
| Compact or sedan | 40-60 kWh | 7.4 kW | 5 to 7 hours |
| SUV or long range | 70-100 kWh | 11 to 22 kW | 2 to 5 hours |
💡 Mister EV Tip: If you plan to upgrade to a new car in the next few years, choose a power output just above your current needs.
What meter power should I plan for at home?
Installing a charging station sometimes requires adjusting the power of your electricity meter. It must power both your home and your electric vehicle without risking tripping the circuit breaker.
⚡ Single-phase or three-phase household appliance meters can have the following power ratings:
- Single-phase: 6, 9, 12 kVA
- Three-phase: 9 to 36 kVA (for more robust or professional installations)
💡 Note that 1 kVA ≈ 1 kW (there is a small difference depending on the power factor).
Charging at night or during the day: it changes everything
- Night charging (off-peak hours): Other devices in the house are not charging → no need to upgrade (add more power).
- Daytime charging: if all electricity is running at the same time → higher power is recommended.
👉 To determine your current power, refer to your electricity bill or your Linky meter. Your supplier can simply modify your contract as needed.
How to avoid oversizing your installation?
Increasing the power of your meter can result in additional costs (more expensive subscription, electrical panel upgrades). Fortunately, there are a few solutions to optimize your load while respecting your electricity contract.
🔄 1. Recharge at night to avoid consumption peaks
You should charge your car during off-peak hours (usually between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM). Not only is electricity cheaper then, but your home also uses less energy.
💡 If your car has this feature, you can usually program it to charge automatically during off-peak hours via the dashboard or a mobile app.
🧠 2. Use smart steering (dynamic load management)
A dynamic management system distributes power between your devices and your charging station. If an oven or washing machine is in use, they automatically adjust the station so it doesn't exceed the available power.
☀️ 3. And why not solar panels?
If you have a solar panel system, you can charge your car using solar energy. This requires a management system or a smart inverter, but the long-term savings could be significant.
💰 4. Think about available financial aid
Certain grants (Advenir bonus, tax credit, CEE, etc.) can cover part of the costs associated with purchasing or installing a charging station. This is a real boost for a more powerful charging station if you're interested.
C’est bien Nanard. Mais une puissance s’exprime en kW. Pas en kWh…
Bravo Nanard ton commentaire compléte piles poils les explications sur les bornes de recharges .
Bonjour , dès le début de votre article , et je n’irai pas plus loin , je vous site nul n’est besoin d’être électricien ! désolé dans votre cas si ! Je m’explique . La puissance en Kwh ne sera définie que par celle que le chargeur de votre véhicule ne pourra convertir en courant continu , ( puisqu’une batterie ne peut que recevoir du courant continu " DC ") ceci évidemment ne concernant que la recharge en courant Alternatif " AC " les vieux rockers auront saisis " AC-DC " donc pour revenir à l’essentiel je dirai que le premier boulot c’est de vous reporter aux données concernant la puissance maximale que pourra accepter votre véhicule ! ( sommes nous d’accord )? Autrement dit vous aurez beau lui mettre une centrale nucléaire au “cul” si le chargeur en courant alternatif "AC"ne peut excéder 11kw et bien vous ne pourrez que charger à 11kw ! leçon n°2 la recharge sur bornes en “DC” même une borne de 300Kw ne pourra recharger que ce que peut absorber votre véhicule ( voir le constructeur ) et les possibilités des dites batteries …. Chers amis bonnes vacances et bonnes recharges ! cordialement Nanard …
Leave a comment