3-Phase EV charging uses a three-phase electricity supply to charge electric vehicles. A three-phase power supply is often found in commercial and workplace buildings but is rare in domestic properties.
Three-phase power can charge your car faster than single-phase power, between 11kW and 22kW, if your charge point and vehicle allow you to do so.
This blog explains the difference between single-phase and three-phase charging and discusses whether upgrading to three-phase home EV charging is right for EV owners.
Single-phase and three-phase are two types of electricity supplies, differing mainly in power capacity.
Single-phase electricity is the standard in UK homes and has a smaller power capacity than three-phase, meaning it delivers electricity at a slower rate.
Three-phase electricity better accommodates higher loads due to a higher power capacity, delivering electricity at a faster rate. Three-phase power is usually found in commercial or industrial buildings, but larger homes may also require three-phase power.
While a single-phase supply is usually sufficient for most households, properties needing higher power capacity may upgrade to a three-phase supply.
The best way to identify whether you have a three-phase power supply at home is to check your meter box. A single-phase supply has one fuse, while a three-phase supply has three.
Upgrading to a three-phase supply is very expensive, often costing thousands. It can also be a very time-consuming process. To find out exactly how much it will cost to upgrade to three-phase, it is best to contact your local distribution Network Operator (DNO), as they are the ones who would carry out this upgrade.
No. Single-phase power suffices for most electric cars, as you can still use a 7kW home charger to charge your electric vehicle.
Three-phase power is only necessary for charging at faster rates of 11kW or 22kW, but you need an 11kW or 22kW charger to charge at these higher rates.
With 3-phase power and a 22kW charge point, you can charge a compatible EV in 3-4 hours.
But your charging speed depends on the maximum charging rate of the EV. Some electric vehicles cannot accept 22kW AC, meaning the charging speed will be slower. For example, the Vauxhall Corsa-e only has a maximum charging rate of 7.4kW, so it can only charge at this rate, even with 3-phase power. As such, a full charge with a Vauxhall Corsa-e will take up to 8 hours.
Three-phase power charges an EV faster, but it is rare in UK homes and costly to upgrade if you don’t already have it.
Most people are fine with single-phase power and can charge their car with a 7kW EV charger in up to 8 hours.
The ability to utilise 3-phase home EV charging at 22kW depends on the type of charger.
It is important to note that not all EV chargers support three-phase charging, and most home EV chargers only support 7kW single-phase charging. But, we offer chargers such as the Easee Charge and Tesla Wall Connector, which work with three-phase power and have a higher charging capacity of up to 22kW.
If you are interested in a three-phase, 22kW home charger or have any questions, call us on 03333 44 96 99 or fill in the contact form at the bottom of this page. We will help you find the best charger that meets your needs.
With three-phase power, you have a higher power capacity than single-phase power. So, you can charge your electric vehicle at a rate of up to 22kW. This is faster than charging at 7kW, the maximum charging rate with a single-phase supply. If you already have three-phase power and a car that accepts this higher charging rate, getting a car charger that supports 11kW or 22kW to enjoy faster charging speeds might be worthwhile.
Three-phase power also prepares your property for future high-power needs. For example, if you plan to install other high-power appliances, such as hot tubs or heat pumps, you are future-proofed, as a three-phase supply will accommodate these higher loads.
Upgrading to a three-phase supply costs thousands if you do not already have it. The installation process can also be very complex and may involve digging up the ground on your property to install new wiring. Public pavements may also have to be dug up, meaning you will need permission from your local authority before commencing. As such, the installation process can take months.
Home chargers that support 11kW and 22kW three-phase EV charging usually cost more to buy and install than single-phase 7kW chargers.
Your car must be able to accept 11kW to 22kW AC charging to benefit from the faster charging speeds of three-phase power. If your vehicle cannot accept this charging rate, there is no point in upgrading to a three-phase supply, as your car will still charge at a slower rate of 7kW.
Getting a three-phase electricity supply to your home is not suitable for everyone. For example, if your electric car cannot accept 11Kw or 22kW, there is no point investing in three-phase power, as you won’t be able to charge at this rate. As such, it is worth checking whether your vehicle can accept higher charging rates before upgrading to three-phase power.
Moreover, if you plan to charge your EV overnight, charging with single-phase power and a 7kW charger will suffice, as your car will be fully charged in the morning. If you need a faster charge in emergencies, you can use public charging points that offer 22kW EV charging.
However, for households with multiple EVs that can accept 22kW, it may be worth investing in a three-phase electricity supply if you both require a fully charged EV every night. With a faster charging rate of 22kW, you could charge one EV in the evening and the other overnight, meaning both cars would be fully charged in the morning.
Also, if you plan to get other high-power appliances, like a hot tub or sauna, upgrading to three-phase power will future-proof your property.
We recommend consulting with an EV charging expert or a qualified electrician before upgrading, as they can assess whether it is the right choice for you.
3 phase EV charging uses a three-phase electricity supply to charge electric vehicles faster, offering speeds up to 22kW AC. This power supply is ideal for commercial settings and homes with high power needs. Charging with three-phase power can reduce charging times. But, it’s not essential for all electric vehicles, especially those that cannot support higher charging rates.
The main benefits include quicker charging speeds and future-proofing your property for high-power demands. But, upgrading to three-phase power is costly and complex. It may be worthwhile for households with multiple compatible electric vehicles or those planning to install other high-power appliances in the future. For others, the standard single-phase power supply, sufficient for overnight charging at 7kW, remains a practical choice.
Before upgrading to a three-phase supply, it’s best to talk to an expert. Want our advice on three-phase charging or need a quote for a 7kW or 22kW EV charger installation? Call us at 03333 44 96 99 or use the contact form below.
Enter your information below, and one of our expert advisors will be in touch shortly.
This type of electric charger has it's own cable to charge your car.
This type of electric charger requires a seperate cable to charge your car.
Spread over a 60 month period.
Tenants and homeowners are eligible for finance.
You decide the amount of months.
Minimum of £1000.
We will contact you to process the credit application. Approval is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. 13.9% APR representative. T&Cs apply.
Your order is not confirmed until your application has been approved.
We lay SWA cable laid at 600mm deep, with a protective cable warning tape laid 150mm above the cable. These are laid on a sand or sifted sand soil bed then backfilled.
We position overhead cables at a minimum height of 3.5m and are run along a catenary wire. The cable run should not be accessible to vehicles.
Standard Installation
Our instant price is fixed if it falls within our standard installation package plus any additions that you have selected (extra cabling for example). This package covers the majority of homes in the UK. Before we undertake your installation we will carry out a digital survey to check that nothing has been missed. After reviewing the survey results some additional work may be required in order to complete your installation safely and to the required standards. If this is the case, we will contact you well before the installation date and advise the cost of any required work. You can then continue with your installation, or alternatively we will refund you in full if you do not want to proceed.
Included in our standard installation is :
• Fitting of a single phase charge point to a brick or plaster wall or other suitable permanent structure
• Up to 10 metres of cable, run and neatly clipped to the wall between the electricity supply meter / distribution board and the charge point.
• Routing of the cable through a drilled hole in a wall up to 500mm (20 inches) thick if this is needed.
• The fitting and testing of electrical connections and protections required for the charge point.
• An additional three way consumer unit, if required
• Installation of a Type A RCBO in an RCBO enclosure
• Up to 3 metres of plastic trunking to conceal interior wiring.
• An O-pen earth protection device if the charge point requires it. (This is NOT an earth rod)
• Up to 4 hours of labour from your installer to complete the work.
• Electrical testing of the whole installation.
• Handover and setup of the charge point and any app that may be needed.
Not included in our standard installation (additional work) :
• Where the installation requires additional cabling over and above the amount you have told us about.
• Upgrade/replacement of the main incoming supply fuse where the local DNO (eg Northern Powergrid) would need to attend site.
• If the charge point is to be mounted on a post/pedestal rather than an existing wall and where you have not selected a post as an extra cost option in your order.
• Installation of a charge point to a three phase supply.
• Where gas and water mains bonding (earthing) is not in place at your property. If this is not in place, additional work would be required before installation of the charge point.
• Any groundwork that has not been selected during the order process.
A Surge Protection Device is not included in our standard installation.
What else you need to know :
• On the day of installation, please ensure that the area around your consumer unit (fuse box), incoming electricity supply meter and proposed charge point location (including where the cable is expected to be run) is clear and free of obstructions.
• We will need your WiFi password as part of the installation process in order to connect your charge point to the internet. Please have this available for the installer. Details will not be kept.
• The charge point must be on your own designated off road parking.
• The charger will be fixed in line with current guidelines at a height where it cannot be hit by a vehicle.
• Our installers are not able to enter loft spaces; lift floorboards or flooring; take apart any furniture of work above a height of 2m. If you anticipate that any of this may be required, then please contact us and we can discuss in more detail and provide you with a quotation.
• Should there be extreme weather conditions our installers may not be able to continue with you installation if it is not safe to do so (for example flooding). They will always do their best to complete the work where they can.
If you have any questions then please contact our customer service team who will be happy to help. Please also read our terms and conditions.
