11 kW or 22 kW wallbox – which is the better choice in Austria?
For most households in Austria, an 11 kW wallbox is the more sensible choice: easier to register, gentler on the grid connection and perfectly sufficient for everyday use. 22 kW is only worthwhile in special cases.
Key points at a glance
- Most electric cars only charge at 11 kW on AC anyway.
- 11 kW overnight adds up to around 110 kWh – more than almost any battery can hold.
- 22 kW is worthwhile for several cars, commercial use or short charging windows.
The differences at a glance
| Criterion | 11 kW | 22 kW |
|---|---|---|
| Grid operator | usually only needs to be notified | often requires approval |
| Charging time | sufficient for everyday use | faster – if the car supports 22 kW |
| Grid load | low | higher |
| Vehicles | suits almost all | only a few charge at 22 kW AC |
Hardly any vehicle uses 22 kW
Many people assume that 22 kW is automatically better. In fact, only very few electric cars can charge at 22 kW AC at all. Most current models are limited to 11 kW AC – so they do not charge any faster on a 22 kW wallbox either.
Special case: plug-in hybrids
Some plug-in hybrids charge on a single phase. A 22 kW wallbox could technically supply up to 32 A on one phase, i.e. around 7.4 kW.
Important: In Austria, single-phase charging is generally limited to 16 A, or around 3.7 kW, due to the phase imbalance limit. More on this in 11 kW or 22 kW wallbox connected on a single phase.
Is 11 kW enough for everyday use?
Yes – by a wide margin. A simple example:
- 11 kW × 10 hours overnight = 110 kWh
- Hardly any electric car has such a large battery.
- Daily demand is usually 20–30 kWh, depending on your commute.
Even with daily charging, the car is full again after a few hours.
When 11 kW is perfectly sufficient
- daily overnight charging
- commuting 20–80 km per day
- single-family home with one vehicle
When 22 kW makes sense
- several electric cars in the household
- commercial use
- very short charging windows
- vehicles that actually charge at 22 kW AC
Conclusion
For most households in Austria, 11 kW is the best choice: sufficient, efficient and future-proof. With a smart meter and dynamic load management, the wallbox can also be integrated well into existing electrical installations without overloading the grid connection. 22 kW only really makes sense in special cases.
