11 kW or 22 kW: which AC charger do you need?

Where 11 and 22 kW come from

An AC charger on a three-phase supply delivers power on each of its three phases. With 230 V per phase, power is roughly 3 × 230 V × current per phase.

At 16 A per phase that is about 11 kW, which is the Bora 11. At 32 A per phase it is about 22 kW, which is the Bora 22 and the Bora 22 Pro.

1. Your electrical connection

Both chargers need a three-phase supply. A 22 kW charger draws twice the current of an 11 kW charger, so the connection and the installation must be sized for 32 A per phase.

If the connection is limited, an 11 kW charger, or configurable load balancing to share the supply with the rest of the building, is often the practical choice. A qualified electrician should check the installation in every case.

2. The AC power your car accepts

On AC, the car converts the energy with its own on-board charger, and that charger sets the limit. Many electric cars accept up to 11 kW on AC; fewer accept 22 kW. Some vehicles charge on only one or two phases, which lowers their AC power further.

A 22 kW charger connected to a car that accepts 11 kW charges at 11 kW. It is safe, but the extra capacity is only useful for cars that accept 22 kW, or if you plan to charge such cars in the future.

3. How long the car is parked

Charging time is roughly the energy you add divided by the charging power, ignoring losses. The table shows the time to add 40 kWh at each power.

So which one?

At home, cars are usually parked overnight, so 11 kW is enough for most drivers: the Bora 11.

Choose 22 kW (Bora 22) when the connection allows 32 A per phase and your cars accept 22 kW, or when cars are parked for short periods, as in some businesses and fleets.

For public charging where energy is billed, choose the Bora 22 Pro: 22 kW with a MID energy meter, RFID and 4G included.