Level 2 EV Charger Amperage Guide: 7kW to 22kW Explained

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer the future—they’re the present. As more office parks and residential complexes adopt Level 2 EV chargers, one question keeps popping up: how do you ensure efficient charging across multiple stations without overloading your facility? At the core of this lies something often overlooked—amperage requirements for Level 2 EV chargers in commercial settings.

Imagine a resident in a housing complex or an employee in an office park arriving with a nearly drained battery and experiencing slow charging due to underpowered EV infrastructure. That’s why knowing the amperage and how it affects charging speed is critical. In this practical guide, we’ll explore the amperage demands of Level 2 chargers ranging from 7kW to 22kW—information facility decision-makers can apply directly.

What Is a Level 2 EV Charger?

Level 2 chargers are the most common solution for residential and commercial EV charging. They typically provide 230 volts single-phase or 400 volts three-phase electricity in Europe, offering much more power than the standard 120V Level 1 chargers common in North America. Think of it like upgrading from a garden hose to a firehose.

• Level 1 Charger: 120V outlet (mostly North America)
• Level 2 Charger: 230V single-phase or 400V three-phase outlet (common in Europe)
• Level 3/DC Fast Charger: High-voltage direct current, mainly for public fast-charging stations

Level 2 chargers generally add between 25 to 60 kilometers (15 to 37 miles) of range per hour, depending on the vehicle and power output. This makes them ideal for overnight charging at homes or during work hours at offices.

Understanding Electrical Terms: kW, Amps, Volts

To understand how much amperage a Level 2 EV charger uses, you need to understand three key terms:

• Volts (V): Electrical pressure that pushes current through a circuit. Most Level 2 chargers use 230V (single-phase) or 400V (three-phase).
• Amps (A): The amount of electrical current flowing.
• Kilowatts (kW): The power being used. 1 kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.

Formula: Amps = kW ÷ Volts

Higher amperage enables faster charging but demands thicker wires, dedicated breakers, and possibly an upgraded panel. For commercial deployments, this planning is essential.

Amperage Range for Level 2 EV Chargers

Focusing on the practical 7kW to 22kW range, here’s how amperage scales based on your product specs:

Charger Power (kW)	Input Voltage (V)	Required Amperage (A)
7 kW	230 V	32 A
11 kW	400 V (3-phase)	16 A
22 kW	400 V (3-phase)	32 A

Include a 20% buffer for circuit planning:

• 7kW charger → 32A circuit
• 11kW charger → 20A circuit
• 22kW charger → 40A circuit

Most residential and office projects are best suited for 7kW or 11kW options. Larger 22kW chargers are more typical in fleet depots or high-volume installations with sufficient three-phase power.

Amperage for 7kW Level 2 EV Chargers

A 7kW Level 2 charger at 230V draws 32A, making it ideal for:

• Home garages
• Apartment complexes
• Office buildings with light-to-moderate demand

Charging Speeds:

• Tesla Model 3 (50 kWh): ~7 hrs
• Nissan Leaf (40 kWh): ~6 hrs
• Chevy Bolt (66 kWh): ~9.5 hrs

Most EV users top up between 20% to 80%, so overnight or workday charging is usually sufficient.

Amperage for 11kW Level 2 EV Chargers

An 11kW charger draws 16A at 400V (three-phase), making it a low-amperage, high-efficiency option suited for:

• Office buildings with multiple EVs
• High-end apartment blocks
• Mixed-use developments

Charging Speeds:

• Tesla Model Y (75 kWh): ~7 hrs
• VW ID.4 (82 kWh): ~8 hrs
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 (77 kWh): ~7.5 hrs

These chargers are ideal for future-proofing without requiring heavy electrical upgrades.

Amperage for 22kW Level 2 EV Chargers

A 22kW charger operating at 400V three-phase draws 32A. It’s designed for:

• Commercial fleet lots
• High-end residential facilities with heavy EV usage
• Properties with 3-phase power or 200A+ service

Charging Speeds:

• Tesla Model S LR (100 kWh): ~5 hrs
• BMW iX (111 kWh): ~5.5 hrs
• Lucid Air (112 kWh): ~5 hrs

Single-Phase vs. Three-Phase Charging

Most North American sites use single-phase:

• Single-phase 230V @ 32A = 7kW

In Europe and many other regions, three-phase power is common:

• Three-phase 400V @ 16A = 11kW
• Three-phase 400V @ 32A = 22kW

Three-phase setups reduce current requirements, simplifying installation and improving long-term scalability.

Level 2 Charger Amperage Planning for Commercial and Residential Properties

Deploying EV chargers in business parks or residential developments means planning for safety, efficiency, and scalability. Key considerations include:

• Power Allocation: Does your panel support multiple 32A or 20A circuits?
• User Behavior: Workplaces benefit from load-sharing during business hours.
• Charger Sharing: Load-balanced EVSEs split power between stations.
• Compliance: NEC or IEC standards may require permits or load calculations.

How to Choose the Right Amperage for Your Site

Ask these practical questions:

• What’s the average daily mileage of your tenants or employees?
• How many chargers will run concurrently?
• Can your current panel handle additional circuits?
• What’s the max AC charging rate supported by users’ EVs?

Before finalizing installation plans, we recommend working with a licensed electrician to assess your site's panel capacity, breaker availability, and load requirements. Our team can provide technical specifications and guidance to support this process.

Conclusion

Level 2 EV charger amperage isn’t just a technical detail—it directly impacts how quickly and efficiently your charging stations perform. Whether managing residential complexes, office parking, or commercial fleets, selecting the right amperage is key to keeping your site future-ready and running smoothly.

Don’t let outdated electrical infrastructure hold you back. Plan carefully, install with confidence, and provide a seamless EV charging experience that keeps both drivers and your property moving forward.