The short answer
A single-phase home charger typically delivers about 7 kW (32 A), while a three-phase charger typically delivers 11 to 22 kW (16 to 32 A per phase). A three-phase charger only helps if you already have three-phase power and your car's onboard charger can accept three-phase charging at that rate. If you have single-phase power, a 7 kW single-phase charger is the normal choice, and there is no NSW or Essential Energy rule we have found that requires three-phase for a home EV charger.
The numbers side by side
| Single-phase | Three-phase | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home charger rating | About 7 kW | 11 to 22 kW |
| Current | 32 A | 16 to 32 A per phase |
| Supply needed | Single-phase (or one phase of a three-phase supply) | Three-phase |
| Actual charging speed | Limited by the car's onboard charger | Limited by the car's onboard charger |
The last row is the one that catches people. The charger on the wall supplies power, but the car decides how much it will take. If your car's onboard charger is rated lower than the wallbox, you pay for speed you can't use. Check the AC charging rating in your car's specifications or manual before choosing.
Check which supply you have
Your home or property is supplied as single-phase or three-phase. Under the Service and Installation Rules of NSW (April 2026 edition), supplies up to 100 A per phase may be single, two or three-phase, and anything above 100 A per phase must be three-phase.
Don't open the switchboard to check. Send Nelson a photo of the board and meter box with the doors open and covers on, and he can tell you.
In the Riverina, three-phase is common on farms, workshops and industrial sites such as those around Bomen, because of pumps, welders and machinery. Our three-phase power guide explains more.
When a single-phase charger makes sense
A single-phase charger is the usual choice when:
- your property has single-phase supply;
- you mostly charge overnight at home, so a full charge from empty isn't needed every night;
- your car's onboard charger can't take more than a single-phase rate anyway;
- you want to avoid the cost of a supply upgrade.
Your own daily driving distance is the real test. Compare it with how much range the car adds overnight on a 7 kW charger, using the figures from your car's maker.
When a three-phase charger makes sense
Three-phase can be worth it when:
- you already have three-phase supply, so there is no supply upgrade cost;
- your car's onboard charger can accept three-phase charging;
- you drive long distances regularly, such as farm or business use across the Riverina, and need faster top-ups at home;
- you want to spread the load across the phases. Under the SIR, phase imbalance on a supply must not exceed 25 A, so a big single-phase load on a three-phase supply needs some thought.
What about upgrading to three-phase just for a charger?
It is possible, but it is a bigger job than installing the charger:
- A change of supply means work on the service line, service fuse and meter. In NSW only an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) can do that work, under the Electricity Supply Act 1995. A Level 2 ASP handles the customer's service and metering.
- If the change raises your maximum demand above your existing connection agreement, you need a written application for connection to Essential Energy, with a maximum demand calculation to AS/NZS 3000.
- Customer-funded contestable work is done by an ASP you choose and pay directly. The NSW Government suggests getting quotes from at least three ASPs.
- Your switchboard will usually need a three-phase main switch and changes inside the board.
We don't do Level 2 ASP work ourselves. We can advise on what is involved and coordinate the work inside your home with the ASP. For most people, the upgrade only makes sense if there are other reasons for three-phase too, such as a workshop or heavy machinery.
Rules that apply either way
Whichever you choose:
- the charger is installed by a licensed electrician, on its own dedicated circuit;
- the circuit needs a Type B RCD, or a Type A where the charger has built-in 6 mA DC fault detection, as the NSW regulator advises;
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Appendix P gives guidance on EV charging installations;
- a CCEW is lodged through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal within 7 days of the test;
- an application for connection may be needed if the charger pushes maximum demand over what your supply is approved for. This applies to a 7 kW single-phase charger too, not just three-phase.
What affects the price
Our EV charger install is install only: you supply the charger, single-phase or three-phase, and Nelson wires it in. Switchboard work and unusually long cable runs are quoted separately, and ASP supply work is priced by the ASP. Travel is free close to Wagga and charged further out.
Use the EV charger estimate for a quick figure, or read the full EV charger installation guide.
Common questions
Is a three-phase EV charger faster?
Only if your car can use it. Three-phase chargers are typically 11 to 22 kW, but the car's onboard charger sets the limit. If the car can't accept three-phase charging at that rate, it will charge slower than the wallbox's rating.
Can I install a three-phase charger on single-phase power?
Not at its three-phase rating. A three-phase charger needs a three-phase supply to deliver 11 to 22 kW. On single-phase power, the practical choice is a single-phase charger of about 7 kW.
Does Essential Energy require three-phase for EV chargers over 7 kW?
We have not found any Essential Energy rule that sets a kW limit for home chargers or requires them to be three-phase. The rule that matters is maximum demand: if the charger pushes it above your approved supply, a connection application is needed.
Is a 7 kW single-phase charger enough?
It depends on how far you drive each day. Compare your daily driving distance with what your car adds in a night's charge on 7 kW, and ask Nelson if you are unsure.
How do I know if my house has three-phase power?
Send a photo of your switchboard and meter box to Nelson and he will confirm it. Don't remove any covers to look.