EV charger types for business: 7kW, 22kW and DC rapid
Match the charger to how long your vehicles park, not to a spec sheet. A clear, unbiased guide to AC and DC charging for UK workplaces, fleets and customer car parks.
The gov.uk power bands
UK charging is grouped into four power bands: standard (3-7kW), fast (7-22kW), rapid (50kW and above) and ultra-rapid (100kW+). AC chargers (7-22kW) use the vehicle's own onboard converter; DC rapids (50kW+) convert the power themselves, which is why they charge so much faster — and cost so much more.
7kW single-phase AC — the workplace workhorse
A 7kW unit runs on an ordinary single-phase supply and uses the standard Type 2 connector. It adds roughly 25-30 miles of range per hour, which comfortably refills a car over an 8-hour working day. For workplace and overnight fleet charging, banks of 7kW sockets under load management are almost always the right answer: they are cheap (£800-£1,500 per bay installed), grant-eligible under the Workplace Charging Scheme, and their gentle draw pairs beautifully with on-site solar and off-peak tariffs.
22kW three-phase AC — powerful, but often oversized
A 22kW AC unit needs a three-phase (400V) supply and delivers up to 22kW over Type 2. It suits medium dwell of two to four hours — some destination and pool-car scenarios. But there is a catch worth knowing before you pay for it: most EVs cap their onboard AC charger at 7-11kW, so a 22kW unit typically delivers only about 11kW to a real car. Unless your vehicles specifically have 22kW onboard chargers, you may be paying for capacity they cannot use. An honest installer will tell you this; a hardware seller may not.
DC rapid (50kW) and ultra-rapid (150kW+) — for quick turnarounds
DC rapid chargers use the CCS connector and deliver 50kW to 350kW+, converting power on board the unit rather than in the car. They suit short-dwell, high-throughput sites: customer car parks, forecourts, and fleet depots that need to redeploy a vehicle same-day. They are an order of magnitude dearer — roughly £25,000-£45,000 installed for a 50kW unit, £45,000-£80,000+ for 150kW+ ultra-rapids — and almost always need a formal DNO connection and a strong three-phase or HV supply. (CHAdeMO, an older DC connector, is being phased out in favour of CCS; specifying it for a new site is generally not advised.)
Tethered vs untethered, and OCPP
Tethered chargers have a fixed attached cable (convenient, but you are committed to that connector); untethered chargers have a socket the driver plugs their own cable into (more flexible for mixed fleets and public use). Whichever you choose, specify OCPP-compliant hardware (the Open Charge Point Protocol, version 1.6J or 2.0.1). OCPP lets chargers from any manufacturer work with any compatible back-office platform, so you are never locked into one network's software or tariffs, and you can switch management provider without replacing the units.
Indicative installed costs
| Charger | Connector | Indicative installed cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7kW single-phase AC socket | Type 2 | £800-£1,500 per bay installed | workplace daytime / overnight fleet dwell; the standard workplace bay; refills ~25-30 miles per hour |
| 22kW three-phase AC socket | Type 2 | £2,500-£4,500 per bay + shared infrastructure | 2-4 hour dwell where three-phase exists; note most cars accept only 7-11kW AC, so often oversized |
| 50kW DC rapid | CCS | £25,000-£45,000 per charger installed | quick turnaround: customer car parks, fleet redeploys, forecourts; needs strong supply |
| 150kW+ DC ultra-rapid | CCS | £45,000-£80,000+ per charger | en-route / high-throughput sites; almost always needs a new HV connection |
Indicative 2026 UK market ranges. The Workplace Charging Scheme deducts up to £500 per socket (75% of cost) from eligible AC installs. See full cost breakdown →
Charger selection FAQs
How much do commercial EV chargers cost to install?
As a 2026 guide, a 7kW AC socket typically runs £800-£1,500 per bay installed, a 22kW AC unit £2,500-£4,500, and a 50kW DC rapid £25,000-£45,000. Groundworks, cabling and any supply upgrade sit on top. Crucially, the Workplace Charging Scheme cuts up to £500 per socket (from 1 April 2026) for up to 40 sockets, so always budget net of the grant.
What grants can my business get for EV chargers in 2026?
The main live scheme is the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS): from 1 April 2026 it gives up to £500 per socket (raised from £350), covering 75% of the install cost, capped at 40 sockets, running to 31 March 2027. Van, HGV and coach depots can also use the Depot Charging Scheme (70%, up to £1m). The separate EV Infrastructure Grant for staff and fleets closed on 31 March 2026 — don't chase it.
Do I need a three-phase power supply?
It depends on charger power. A 7kW (32A) unit runs on a standard single-phase supply, which most smaller premises already have. A 22kW AC unit needs a three-phase (400V) supply, as do all DC rapid chargers. Many commercial sites already have three phase; if not, you either upgrade the supply or specify 7kW units with load management. Confirm your incoming supply type and spare capacity before choosing charger speed.
Will my electricity supply and DNO cope with new chargers?
Any multi-charger or three-phase install should be checked with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before you commit. A single small unit may only need 'connect and notify' (G98), but most commercial sites — three-phase, multiple sockets, or total demand over 60A — need a G99 application approved before the chargers are switched on, typically 5-65 working days. Load management often lets you add chargers within your existing supply and avoid a costly upgrade.
Should we install 7kW, 22kW or rapid chargers?
Match charger speed to how long vehicles park. 7kW AC suits all-day parking — staff, offices, hotels — adding roughly 25-30 miles per hour. 22kW AC suits 2-4 hour dwell where you have three-phase power, though most cars only accept 7-11kW AC so it's often no faster. DC rapid (50kW+) suits quick turnarounds — customer car parks, forecourts, fleet redeploys — but costs far more and needs a strong supply. Most workplaces are best served by banks of 7kW units.