EV chargers - choose by car brand

Four parameters matter when buying a charger: power (kW), connector type, cable length and protections. Match the power to the car's onboard charger (most often 3.7 / 7.4 / 11 kW) - a more powerful wallbox will not speed up charging if the car cannot accept more. For a home installation, a built-in DC leakage sensor and the ingress rating also matter - at least IP54 for outdoor installation.

In Europe, almost. Every electric car and plug-in hybrid sold new in Europe has a Type 2 socket, so one charger with a Type 2 plug will serve any of them and will still do the job after you change cars. The exception is older models from the Japanese and American markets with a Type 1 socket, such as the first-generation Nissan Leaf - they need a charger with a Type 1 plug, for example the B35 in its Type 1 version. What differs between cars is the power they accept, not the plug.

Check two things: the charging socket and the maximum AC power of the car's onboard charger. The easiest way is to choose your brand above and then your model - for every version we show the socket, the AC power and the charger matched to them. You can also check the socket type in the car's manual or by opening the charging flap: Type 2 has seven pins, Type 1 has five.

It depends on the car and the installation. 3.7 kW works from a household socket and is enough for plug-in hybrids and overnight top-ups. 7.4 kW loads a single phase with 32 A, so it needs a dedicated circuit with an industrial socket or a wallbox - it is the ceiling for cars with a single-phase onboard charger. 11 kW requires a three-phase supply and suits most electric cars, which accept exactly 11 kW AC. Watch out for cars that take 7.2-7.4 kW over two phases, such as the VW ID.3 Pure or the 7.4 kW Audi TFSI e hybrids: they need a three-phase 11 kW charger, because a single-phase one gives them only half. A charger more powerful than the car's limit will not shorten charging.

Technically a portable charger is enough - a Q series portable charger has the same parameters as a wallbox of the same power. The difference is convenience: a wallbox stays on the wall with a permanent holder for the plug, so you do not unpack it every day. If you charge in one place, a wallbox is more convenient; if you also charge on the road or from different sockets, choose a portable charger - just remember it needs a sound socket on a separate circuit.

Yes. A wallbox is connected permanently to a separate circuit, so the installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician, who will also check whether your connection has enough capacity. In a detached house a permit is usually not needed; in a multi-family building you need the consent of the housing association or cooperative, and most often also a fire safety assessment for the garage.

Type 2 is the European socket for alternating current (AC) charging - this is what home chargers and wallboxes use, including all Ampere Point chargers. CCS (Combo 2) is Type 2 extended with two extra DC pins at the bottom and is used for fast direct current charging at public stations. A car with a CCS socket also accepts a Type 2 plug in its upper part, so you charge it at home with an ordinary AC charger. DC charging cannot be achieved with an adapter from an AC socket.

Measure the distance from the socket or the wallbox mounting point to the car's charging flap and add a margin for manoeuvring - the cable should reach without being stretched. Our P series chargers have a 6 m cable (the P35 is also available with 10 m) and the Q PRO has 7.5 m. Do not use an ordinary extension lead: it is not designed for many hours under high current and risks overheating.