Why 11 kW? Choosing the right power output
The most common question when buying a home charger: 3.7 kW, 7.4 kW or 11 kW? The answer depends on your electrical connection:
- 3.7 kW (single-phase): only makes sense if your home connection or car is limited to single-phase power. Charge time on 60 kWh: ~17 hours – too slow for overnight.
- 7.4 kW (single-phase): fine for smaller EVs (Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208). Charge time on 60 kWh: ~8.5 hours.
- 11 kW (three-phase): the recommended default for virtually every modern EV. Charge time on 60 kWh: ~6 hours. Requires grid operator registration.
- 22 kW (three-phase): only worthwhile if your car can actually use 22 kW (e.g. Mercedes EQS, older Renault Zoe). Most vehicles cap out at 11 kW regardless.
Recommendation: 11 kW for any new purchase. Future-proof, incentive-eligible, and compatible with nearly every EV on the market.
What to look for when buying
- WiFi/app connectivity: for scheduling, tracking usage, and solar-surplus charging
- Load management: essential once you have multiple chargers (underground garage, apartment building)
- Cable or socket: a fixed cable is more convenient; a Type 2 socket is more flexible if multiple vehicles will use it
- OCPP support: an open protocol that lets you integrate with smart-home systems and switch backend providers
- MID-certified metering: needed for verifiable billing, important for employer reimbursement of company-car charging
- Weather rating: at least IP44 for outdoor installation, IP54/IP65 is better
Top home chargers 2026, compared
| Model | Power | Smart features | MID meter | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEBA P30 | 11 / 22 kW | WiFi, RFID, app | optional | €550–750 |
| go-e Charger Gemini | 11 / 22 kW | WiFi, app, solar-ready | built-in | €499–699 |
| Easee Home | 11 kW | WiFi, app, ecosystem | optional | €450–650 |
| ABB Terra AC | 7.4 / 11 kW | RFID, OCPP | yes | €400–550 |
| Mennekes AMTRON Charge | 11 kW | WiFi, app, SEMP | optional | €600–850 |
| Webasto Live | 11 kW | WiFi, app, RFID | yes | €500–700 |
Smart charging: pairing a home charger with solar
If you have solar panels, you can send surplus generation straight into your car – free and carbon-free. Solar-surplus charging requires a home charger with the right interface (SMA SunSpec, Modbus TCP, SEMP or a manufacturer-specific protocol).
- go-e Charger: solar-surplus charging out of the box, supports most common inverters
- KEBA P30 x: compatible with SMA Home Manager, Modbus TCP
- Mennekes AMTRON: SEMP protocol for SMA and Victron systems
See our guides on Germany's EV charger incentives and bidirectional charging (V2G) explained for more.
Installation: what does an electrician cost?
The charger hardware is only part of the cost. Professional installation runs:
- Wall mount with a short cable run: €150–300
- 30–100 ft of new cabling plus a dedicated circuit: €400–800
- Underground garage with a long cable run: €1,000–3,000 (see our apartment building charging guide)
Typical total for a single-family home: €800–1,800 including hardware and installation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register a home charger with the grid operator?
Chargers up to 12 kW need to be registered with the grid operator but don't require approval. Above 12 kW, formal approval is required. Most 11 kW units fall into the simple registration category, and your electrician usually handles this for you.
Is an expensive smart charger worth it over a basic model?
Yes, if you have solar panels or charge overnight on a cheaper off-peak rate. Solar-surplus charging alone can save €300–800 a year in electricity costs. Smart chargers with RFID are also useful if you need to bill your employer for charging sessions.
Is a 22 kW charger worth it?
Rarely. Most EVs can only accept 11 kW of AC power regardless of what the charger can output. 22 kW makes sense mainly for a handful of models that actually support it, and it also requires separate grid operator approval, which takes extra time.
Everything about installation: Home EV charger installation guide · Charging in an apartment building · Pairing solar with a home charger · Find every charging station
