An 11 kW or 22 kW home charger needs a three-phase supply, which most Irish homes don't have, and single-phase 7 kW is the standard. Getting three-phase from ESB Networks costs €4,877 including VAT for a 20 kVA domestic connection, plus network charges, on its statement of charges effective 1 October 2026.
Key points
A home charger on a normal single-phase supply is limited by the current it can draw. The chargers sold for Irish homes are rated at 32 A, which gives the 7 to 7.4 kW you see on data sheets. Three-phase supplies carry power on three conductors, which is what allows 11 kW or 22 kW. 11 kW needs a three-phase supply, which most Irish homes don't have, and for Irish homes 22 kW is rarely the right answer.
ESB Networks' statement of charges, approved by the CRU and effective from 1 October 2026, lists these for a single house:
| Connection | Import capacity | Incl. VAT | Excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard connection | 12 kVA | €3,776 | €3,327 |
| Upgrade connection (conditions apply) | 12 kVA to 16 kVA | €2,245 | €1,978 |
| Special connection, three-phase | 20 kVA | €4,877 + MV network charges | €4,297 + MV network charges |
| Special connection, three-phase | 29 kVA | €6,262 + MV network charges | €5,517 + MV network charges |
The upgrade from 12 kVA to 16 kVA is a capacity increase, not three-phase. It can matter if your house already runs a heat pump, an electric shower and a charger at once. The three-phase lines carry "MV network charges" on top, which depend on the local network, so ESB Networks quotes them for your address. Adding three-phase is expensive, often €2,000 or more, and rarely worth it for a single home charger.
Simple arithmetic, ignoring charging losses: adding 40 kWh to a car's battery takes about 5.4 hours at 7.4 kW, about 3.6 hours at 11 kW and about 1.8 hours at 22 kW. Overnight, all three fill most cars. The faster rates matter if the car is home for a short window, such as a taxi between shifts, or a household with two EVs sharing one charger.
Your car also has to accept the faster rate. A car's on-board charger sets the most it can take from an AC wall charger, and many cars take less than 22 kW on AC. Check the AC charging rate in your car's specifications before you pay for a three-phase supply or a 22 kW unit.
Some home chargers are made in three-phase versions. The myenergi zappi, for example, is rated "7kW (Single Phase) or 22kW (3-Phase)". Ohme's Home Pro and ePod data sheets are single-phase (Ohme). See Zappi vs Ohme. Installed prices for the 7–22 kW chargers are on our installation cost page.
The €300 SEAI home charger grant needs a charger on SEAI's Smart Charger Register, fitted by a Safe Electric registered electrician after the Letter of Offer (SEAI). SEAI says wiring upgrades such as earthing, meter tails or bonding aren't grant-eligible, and a new ESB connection is a separate cost again. See how to claim the grant.
Tell us where you are and what you drive. We come back with a fixed written price, and say plainly if a standard 7 kW charger does the job.
No cost, no obligation. We price the job and introduce you to a Safe Electric registered electrical contractor. We are not an electrical contractor ourselves.
Only with a three-phase supply, which most Irish homes don't have. On a single-phase supply, home chargers are limited to around 7 kW.
ESB Networks lists a domestic three-phase special connection at €4,877 including VAT for 20 kVA and €6,262 for 29 kVA, plus MV network charges, effective 1 October 2026.
Only if you have, or will get, a three-phase supply and your car accepts 11 kW on AC. For overnight charging, 7 kW covers most daily driving.
No. The €300 grant is towards the charger and its installation. SEAI says wiring upgrades aren't eligible, and an ESB Networks connection is a separate charge.
Some do. The myenergi zappi is rated 7 kW single-phase or 22 kW three-phase. Ohme's Home Pro and ePod data sheets are single-phase.
