Why your car charges at 7 kW at home
Most Irish homes have a single-phase supply, and a home charger on single phase gives up to 7.4 kW, which is why people call it a 7 kW charger. Faster 11 or 22 kW charging needs a three-phase supply, which few homes have, and a car whose on-board charger takes it.
The supply, the car's on-board charger, and when 11 kW is worth it.
Free, no obligation. One registered electrician prices it, not five.
- 230 V × 32 Aa single-phase home charger
- 7.4 kWthe most it gives
- 3-phaseneeded for 11 or 22 kW
- €1,500–€3,000+to convert to three-phase, typically
Two limits
- The supply. A single-phase home charger gives up to 7.4 kW (230 V at 32 A). Most Irish homes are single-phase.
- The car. Its on-board charger caps what it takes from any home charger. Most new cars take 11 kW, some older ones less.
How long will your car take at home?
Four quick taps. You see the hours a night on a 3-pin plug and on a 7 kW charger, and whether the cheap hours are enough. Your number is only asked for at the end, if you want a price.
A Tesla Model Y doing up to 60 km a day: 1h 35m a night on a 7 kW charger, 4h 55m on a 3-pin plug.
How this is worked out
Each car's figures are its usable battery, its on-board charger and its real-world energy use, with its time from empty to full on a 3-pin plug (2.3 kW), on a 7 kW home charger (7.4 kW on a single-phase supply) and at 11 kW. The hours a night are your daily km divided by the km each hour of charging adds. Cold weather and short trips use more. It's a guide, not a promise.
What 11 kW would save
| Car | On-board charger | Empty to full, 7 kW | Empty to full, 11 kW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 11 kW | 9h 45m | 6h 30m |
| Tesla Model 3 | 11 kW | 9h 45m | 6h 30m |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 11 kW | 8h 30m | 5h 45m |
| Toyota bZ4X | 11 kW | 8h 45m | 6h |
| Skoda Elroq | 11 kW | 9h 30m | 6h 30m |
| Kia EV3 | 11 kW | 12h 30m | 8h 30m |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 11 kW | 10h 30m | 7h |
| Renault 5 | 11 kW | 8h 30m | 5h 45m |
| Nissan Leaf | 6.6 kW | 7h | 12h 30m |
Converting a home to three-phase typically costs €1,500 to €3,000 or more. For overnight charging 7 kW is usually plenty. Three-phase chargers: 11 kW and 22 kW at home.
EV Home Chargers guides & price breakdowns
Straight answers to what people ask most: itemised costs, specifications, planning or grants, and what to check before you book.
More guides & resources: Charging a Kia EV3 at home · Charging a Hyundai Kona Electric at home · Charging a Renault 5 at home · Charging a Nissan Leaf at home · All guides & calculator hub · Technical & trade glossary · Frequently asked questions · What charging costs · EV tariffs · Installers by county · Claiming the grant · No driveway?
Questions people ask
Why does my car only charge at 7 kW at home?
Most Irish homes have a single-phase supply, and a home charger on single phase gives up to 7.4 kW, which is why people call it a 7 kW charger. Faster 11 or 22 kW charging needs a three-phase supply, which few homes have, and a car whose on-board charger takes it.
Do I need 22 kW at home?
Almost never. Few cars take more than 11 kW on AC, and it needs a three-phase supply.
EV Home Chargers across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one vetted local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice.
How long will yours take?
Four taps to the hours a night on a plug and on a charger. Then, if you want, one registered electrician who fits home chargers in your county rings with a price.