The charging speed — or charging power — at which you can charge your vehicle at a charging station depends not only on the charging station itself but also on your home’s electrical connection and your electric vehicle. Below, we provide an explanation of the key factors to consider when estimating the maximum possible charging power at home.
Type of Electrical Connection
The first step is to determine what type of electrical connection you have at home. Once you know this, you can assess the maximum power of the charging station that can be installed on your connection. You’ll find this information on the electricity meter box. The table below gives an overview of the maximum charging capacity for the most common types of electrical connections in Belgium.
Electrical Connection Type | 16 Amps | 32 Amps |
Single-phase (230 V + Neutral) | 3,7 kW | 7,4 kW |
Three-phase (3 x 230 V without Neutral) | 6,4 kW | 11 kW |
Three-phase (3 x 400 V + Neutral) | 11 kW | 22 kW |
Vehicle Specifications
As mentioned earlier, the maximum charging power does not only depend on the charging station and your home connection — your electric vehicle also plays a crucial role. Each EV has an onboard charger that determines the maximum power at which it can charge. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Type of electric vehicle: It’s important to clearly distinguish between a full EV (battery electric vehicle) and a PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle). PHEVs generally have a smaller battery capacity and lower charging capacity compared to full EVs. If you drive a PHEV, a lower-power charging station may be sufficient. For a full EV, a more powerful station may be necessary.
Charging capacity of the EV: This is a specification provided by the manufacturer. Before purchasing an EV or a charging station, it’s important to check the maximum charging capacity/power supported by the vehicle.
For example: if the manufacturer specifies that the EV can charge at a maximum of 11 kW (AC), installing a 22 kW charging station won’t make the vehicle charge faster — it will still only charge at 11 kW.
Are you currently driving a PHEV? Then it may be worth considering your next vehicle. Chances are, you’ll eventually switch to a fully electric car. In that case, a low-power charging station may no longer meet your needs, as full EVs typically require higher charging power. By making a future-proof choice today, you can avoid additional investments later on.
Type of Charging Cable
The charging cable used to connect the car to the charging station also affects the maximum charging power. Some cables, for instance, only support single-phase charging. Others may only be rated for a specific current (e.g. max 16 A).
That’s why it’s important to check what type of charging cable is typically included with your electric vehicle by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
To accurately determine the maximum charging power you can achieve at home, follow these practical steps:
Identify the type of electrical connection you have at your location.
Carefully review the manufacturer's specifications of your EV, particularly the maximum supported charging power.
Check which charging cable is supplied with your EV by the manufacturer.