A 22kW EV charging cable runs at 32A three-phase — the fastest AC charging speed available on UK home and commercial wallboxes. It charges a Tesla Model 3 from 10% to 100% in about 3.5 hours, vs 8 hours on a standard 7kW cable. The catch: you only get 22kW if BOTH your home supply AND your car can take it. Most UK homes can't, and most cars cap at 11kW AC.
The two conditions for 22kW
- Three-phase supply at your property. Most UK homes are single-phase 100A — so a 22kW cable will throttle to 7kW max. Three-phase domestic supply is rare and typically found in newer-build homes, larger detached properties, or homes with previous commercial use. If you don't know whether you have three-phase, you almost certainly don't. Confirm with a qualified electrician before ordering.
- An EV that accepts 22kW AC. Most modern EVs cap at 11kW AC even when they have a Type 2 connector. The exceptions worth knowing: Renault Zoe (some variants), Audi e-tron (22kW with optional charger upgrade), some Mercedes EQ models, Porsche Taycan (with the 22kW option), Tesla Model S/X older variants. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y both cap at 11kW AC.
Why 22kW matters when both conditions are met
For homes with three-phase supply and a 22kW-capable car, the difference is meaningful: 22kW is roughly 90 miles per hour added vs 25-30 miles per hour at 7kW. For high-mileage drivers (taxi, sales, fleet) this can be the difference between charging at home overnight and needing public rapid stops mid-day. For typical commuters with 50-mile daily mileage, 7kW is more than fast enough — 22kW is overkill.
Connector type
Type 2 (Mennekes) on both ends — same as a 7kW cable, just rated for higher current and using all three phase pins. Compatible with every UK three-phase wallbox and every public 22kW AC charge post. Will plug into a single-phase wallbox and throttle to whatever single-phase rate the wallbox supports.
Cable rating and build
A 22kW cable has thicker conductors — typically 6mm² per phase vs 4mm² on a 7kW cable. The cable is noticeably heavier and stiffer. Look for:
- 32A three-phase rating — printed clearly on the connector body.
- IP55 minimum on couplings, IP66 if it'll be left plugged in during storms.
- Halogen-free woven jacket — essential for the heavier cable; rubber jackets on three-phase cables fail in 2-3 UK winters.
- 5-year warranty — standard on premium three-phase cables. Below 3 years is a warning sign.
Length
22kW cables are heavier than 7kW cables; pick the shortest length that works for your driveway. 5m is plenty for most three-phase home installs. 10m if your wallbox is at the back of a long driveway or you charge from either side of the car. 15-25m exists but rarely makes sense for home use — at this length the cable is 8-12kg and unwieldy to coil.
Pairing with the right wallbox
A 22kW cable is wasted on a 7kW wallbox. If you have three-phase supply and a 22kW car, pair with one of:
- 22kW home chargers — Zappi, Easee, Wallbox Pulsar, Project EV Pro 22kW.
- Three-phase charging cable hub — full range of 11kW + 22kW options.
What it won't do
A 22kW AC cable will not charge from public DC rapid stations (Tesla Superchargers, Ionity, BP Pulse 150kW). Those use CCS Combo 2, which is tethered to the rapid charger itself — you don't carry a CCS cable. A 22kW cable also won't speed up a single-phase wallbox; the supply is the bottleneck, not the cable.
Three-phase supply upgrade — when it makes sense
Upgrading from single-phase to three-phase domestic supply costs £3,000-8,000 typically (DNO charges, consumer-unit upgrade, internal wiring), takes 6-16 weeks, and may not be possible in some areas (LV cable capacity constrained). It rarely makes economic sense purely for EV charging — the time saved over a 7kW wallbox is small relative to overnight charging. Three-phase upgrade is worth it if you're already running heat pumps, electric AGAs, induction hobs and home batteries that benefit from three-phase distribution.