7kW vs 11kW vs 22kW AC Charger for Commercial Projects
Use this guide when choosing AC wallbox power for hotels, workplaces, apartments, destination charging and commercial parking lots.
The best AC charger power depends on grid phase, vehicle dwell time, onboard charger limits and how the site will be operated. Many buyers overpay for 22kW when the vehicle or site cannot use it; others under-spec 7kW for commercial parking where faster turnover is expected.
| Power | Best fit | Buyer note |
|---|---|---|
| 7kW | Hotels, apartments, home charging, long parking dwell time | Works well with single-phase supply and overnight charging. |
| 11kW | Workplace, commercial parking, small fleet parking | Balanced option where three-phase power is available but 22kW is unnecessary. |
| 22kW | Destination charging, high-traffic parking, faster AC turnover | Confirm vehicle onboard charger and local grid capacity before specifying. |
Ask for AC charger selection support
Send the expected parking time, site phase, country, connector, OCPP/RFID need and quantity.
Procurement mistakes to avoid
- Choosing 22kW without confirming three-phase power and vehicle onboard charger limits.
- Comparing a basic wallbox with an OCPP/RFID commercial model as if both are the same product.
- Asking for price without connector, cable, enclosure rating, branding and certification scope.
How should buyers choose between 7kW, 11kW and 22kW AC chargers?
The safest selection method is to start from grid phase and parking time. 7kW is usually the practical choice for single-phase homes, villas and long-stay hotel parking. 11kW and 22kW need three-phase power and are more useful for workplaces, commercial parking, apartments and sites where vehicles need shorter AC sessions. The vehicle onboard charger can still limit actual charging power, so buyers should send vehicle mix and site power before asking for final price.
Buyer decision table
| Choice | Best fit | Buyer note |
|---|---|---|
| 7kW AC charger | Single-phase sites, home charging, hotel overnight parking | Lower installation demand; good for long dwell time. |
| 11kW AC charger | Three-phase workplace, apartment, fleet overnight bays | Balanced option when 22kW is not always usable. |
| 22kW AC charger | Commercial parking, destination charging, dealership and stronger grid sites | Useful only when grid and vehicle onboard charger can accept higher AC power. |
RFQ checklist buyers should send
| RFQ item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Grid input | Country, voltage, phase, breaker size and available capacity. |
| Connector | Type 2, Type 1/J1772, GB/T, socket or tethered cable. |
| User control | Free charging, RFID, app, OCPP backend or simple plug-and-charge. |
| Installation | Wallbox, pedestal, cable holder, indoor/outdoor and IP rating. |
| Commercial scope | Branding, labels, manual language, sample quantity and batch forecast. |
Buyer mistake to avoid
Do not buy 22kW chargers only because the number looks stronger. If the site is single-phase or the vehicles accept only 7kW/11kW AC, the extra charger rating will not create faster real charging.
How this affects price and installation
For AC projects, price differences are often created by electrical configuration, communication options and installation accessories rather than only the rated kW. A socket version, tethered cable version, RFID version and OCPP version can look similar in a catalog but carry different controller, enclosure, label and testing requirements. Buyers who send only "22kW wallbox price" usually receive a wide quotation range because the supplier still has to guess connector type, network method and country compliance scope.
A clean RFQ should separate sample evaluation from batch procurement. For the first sample, ask for the exact plug or socket standard, app/OCPP method, manual language and packing photo. For a distributor batch, add logo position, rating label language, carton mark, firmware version control and spare-parts expectation. This helps the factory quote the correct AC wallbox configuration and prevents changes after the order is already in production.
If the project will be installed in several buildings or parking zones, include cable distance and mounting method in the inquiry. Pedestal kits, cable holders and load-management expectations can change the final recommendation even when the charger power is the same.
Related SUNFULL buyer pages
Procurement FAQ
Is 22kW always better than 7kW?+
No. 22kW only helps when the site supply and vehicle onboard charger can use the higher AC power.
When should hotels use 7kW AC chargers?+
Hotels can use 7kW chargers when guests park overnight or for several hours and fast turnover is not the main goal.
Do commercial AC chargers need OCPP?+
OCPP is recommended when the site needs remote monitoring, billing records, RFID accounts or operator control.
Request AC Charger Power Recommendation
Send your country, charger type, power, connector, software needs, quantity and timeline. SUNFULL will reply with a practical model path instead of a generic price list.