How to Choose the Best EV Charger for Your Electric Car (EV) or Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)?

March 11, 2025 Bartłomiej Szymański

📌 Table of Contents

🚀 Why Choosing the Right EV Charger is Crucial
🎯 How to Select the Best EV Charger
🔌 Types of EV Chargers – Which One to Choose?
💡 What to Check Before Buying an EV Charger?
🔌 What Type of Connector Does Your Vehicle Have?
⚡ Check How Many Phases Your Car Supports
🔋 What is an Onboard Charger?
🏡 Assess Your Electrical Installation
📊 EV Charging Configuration Examples

🚀 Why Choosing the Right EV Charger is Crucial

Selecting the right EV charger and charging cable is essential for charging speed, safety, and long-term efficiency. The wrong equipment may lead to slow charging, overheating, or even battery damage. Choosing a compatible EV charger ensures optimized charging times, prevents technical issues, and allows for possible Smart Home integration.

🎯 How to Select the Best EV Charger

This guide will help you find the ideal EV charger and charging cable based on your driving habits, home charging setup, and car compatibility. You'll learn about key factors like charging power, connector type, and installation requirements to avoid unnecessary costs and maximize charging efficiency. 🚗⚡

🔌 Types of EV Chargers – Which One to Choose?

There are three main types of EV chargers: Portable chargers (EVSE), Wallbox chargers, and DC fast charging stations. The best choice depends on:

✅ Charging location (home, office, public station)
✅ Available power supply (single-phase, three-phase, DC fast charging)
✅ Charging speed requirements
✅ Your vehicle’s onboard charging capabilities

1️⃣ Portable EV Charger (3.7–22 kW) – Flexibility & Convenience

Portable EV chargers can be plugged into a Schuko socket (230V) or an industrial CEE socket (16A/32A). They are ideal for:

✅ Charging at multiple locations (home, work, vacation house)
✅ Budget-conscious EV owners who prefer a plug-and-play solution
✅ Occasional charging needs without permanent installation

💡 Examples: Portable EV chargers 3.7 kW, 7.4 kW, 11 kW, and 22 kW

2️⃣ Wallbox Charger (3.7–22 kW) – Efficient Home & Business Charging

A Wallbox EV charger is a fixed charging station mounted on a wall or a stand. It is recommended for:

✅ EV owners who charge regularly at home or work
✅ Users seeking a permanent and high-performance EV charging solution

💡 Examples: Wallbox chargers 11 kW, 22 kW – the choice depends on your electrical system and car compatibility.

3️⃣ DC Fast Charging Stations – Ultra-Fast Public Charging

DC fast chargers provide high-speed charging and are typically used on highways, public stations, and fleet depots. They are suitable for:

✅ Frequent long-distance travelers who need rapid charging
✅ Electric vehicles that support DC fast charging
✅ Businesses planning to install high-speed EV chargers

❗❗❗ DC chargers cost between €10,000 and €1 million! ❗❗❗

💡 Charging speed: Up to 80% battery charge in 20–40 minutes 💡 Examples: DC chargers 50 kW, 100 kW, 150 kW, 350 kW – the higher the power, the faster the charging time.

💡 What to Check Before Buying an EV Charger?

🔌 What Type of Connector Does Your Vehicle Have?

The first step in selecting an EV charger is identifying your vehicle’s charging connector type:

✔ Type 1 – Common in North America and Asia (also in older European cars). If you have a Type 1 EV, you can use an adapter to connect to a Type 2 charger, which is the European standard.

✔ Type 2 – The European standard, used in most modern EVs and PHEVs.

✔ Type 2 + CCS – A Type 2 connector with DC fast-charging capability.

Knowing your EV's charging connector ensures compatibility with the right charger and cable.

⚡ Check How Many Phases Your Car Supports

EVs support single-phase, two-phase, or three-phase charging:
✅ Single-phase (1-phase) – Up to 7.4 kW (230V, 32A)
✅ Two-phase (2-phase) – Used in some Audi & Volvo models
✅ Three-phase (3-phase) – Supports faster charging (up to 22 kW)

🚘 If your EV has a Type 1 connector, it only supports single-phase charging.

🚘 If your EV has a Type 2 connector, count the metal pins:

✔ Single-phase → (N, PE, CP, PP, L1)

✔ Two-phase → (N, PE, CP, PP, L1, L2)

✔ Three-phase → (N, PE, CP, PP, L1, L2, L3)

🔋 What is an Onboard Charger?

The onboard charger (OBC) is a built-in EV component that converts AC power into DC power for the battery. Key parameters:
✔ Onboard charger power (kW) – Determines the maximum charging speed.

💡 Example: If your EV’s onboard charger supports 7.4 kW, using an 11 kW charger won’t speed up charging.

🔍 Check this in the EV Database or ask your dealer.

🏡 Assess Your Electrical Installation

Before buying an EV charger, check if your home’s electrical system can support it:

✔ Power socket type: Standard 16A socket or a high-power 32A socket?
✔ Power supply capacity: Ensure your system can handle the charging load.
✔ Wiring & safety: Check for proper fuses and wiring to prevent overloads.