When you start planning your Electric Vehicle charging projects, you’ll quickly realize that choosing the right power for your Electric Vehicle charging stations isn’t just about picking the biggest number. If you work with an Electric Vehicle charging station manufacturer like I do, you’ll see how proper planning of your Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure can make or break your project. You need to make sure the power of your chargers fits your site, matches how long vehicles will stay, and aligns with your budget.
In this guide, we’ll show you when using 7kW or 22kW AC Electric Vehicle chargers makes the most sense so you can make confident decisions for your commercial Electric Vehicle charging sites.
Why Power Selection Matters in Commercial AC Charging
When you are planning commercial electric vehicle charging bigger numbers do not always mean results. High power chargers cost money upfront and need more electrical capacity often without adding real value on sites where vehicles park for many hours. Commercial AC charging Level 2 chargers. From 7 kW to 22 kW. Actually form the backbone of commercial deployments. The United States vehicle charging station market was valued at about $3.25 billion in 2024 and continues to grow rapidly showing how smart infrastructure planning is key. (Credenceresearch.com)
Match Charger Power to Parking Duration
The key is how long vehicles stay parked which is called dwell time. If cars sit for hours like at apartments, workplaces or hotels a 7 kW or 11 kW Commercial AC Charging charger can deliver enough energy while keeping costs lower. For sites with dwell times 22 kW Commercial AC Charging chargers make more sense to provide meaningful energy quickly. This approach ensures your vehicle Commercial AC Charging infrastructure matches real usage rather than chasing peak power that will not get used. (Detlevs.com.au)
Consider Your Site and Commercial AC Charging Usage Scenario
Different locations need Commercial AC Charging solutions. An office garage, a hotel and a retail center all have usage patterns. Matching Commercial AC Charging charger power to user behavior improves utilization reduces frustration and maximizes return on investment.
Balance Project Budget and Commercial AC Charging Needs
Finally consider your budget along, with Commercial AC Charging requirements. Over-specifying power can inflate costs without benefit. Planning around site needs and vehicle dwell times helps you achieve a cost-effective functional electric vehicle Commercial AC Charging network that serves both your customers and your business goals.
If you want to learn more, Please refer to the article guide to choosing AC charging stations for commercial use.
When 7kW AC Charging Makes SenseApartments and Multi-Family Residences
In apartments and multi-family residences most cars are parked for a time often overnight. A 7kW AC charger can give an almost full charge in 8 to 10 hours. Most electric vehicles take about 6 to 10 hours to charge at 7kW. This makes 7kW AC chargers a good choice for stay residential parking.They help avoid costs.
Overnight EV Charging
If your site allows parking then 7kW AC chargers work well. The cars have plenty of time to recharge fully. This steady energy delivery reduces strain on your system.
It also keeps installation costs lower. Many commercial sites use Level 2 AC chargers like 7kW units for this reason.
Low-Traffic Commercial Sites
For sites with few cars coming and going like office parks or retail lots that are not busy a 7kW charger is enough. You are not paying for power that will not be used.
The 7kW charger matches how often cars are used. This makes sure your EV charging infrastructure is practical and works well.
Budget-Friendly Projects
If your budget is limited then 7kW AC chargers are a choice. They are one of the cost commercial EV charging solutions.
They help you build infrastructure and save money for future expansion or smart charging management. Many businesses in the US choose Level 2 chargers like 7kW units, for stay and budget-friendly projects.7KW AC chargers are a cost- option.
When 22kW AC Charging Is the Better Choice
You need to think about the people who are using your charging stations. If you have a lot of people who are not parked for long 22kW AC charging is a good option. It gives them power in a shorter time, which is great for busy places. This means people can charge their cars quickly and get back on the road.
As more people start using vehicles, the places that have faster charging stations are getting used more. People like to go to places where they can charge their cars quickly.
Hotels and Hospitality Sites
When people stay at hotels they need to charge their cars. Some people stay for a time but some people only stay for a short time. If you have a 22kW charger at your hotel you can give your guests a lot of power in a few hours. This makes them happy. It is a good thing for your hotel. A lot of people who drive vehicles think about where they can charge their cars when they are choosing a hotel. In fact than 60% of people who drive electric vehicles think about charging when they book a hotel.
Retail and Shopping Centers
A lot of people go to shopping centers. They do not stay for very long. You want people to be able to charge their cars while they are shopping. 22KW chargers are good for this because they give people power quickly. This means people can shop and charge their cars at the time. It is also good for the shopping center because it means people will come back. Some places have found that if they have faster charging they get more people coming back to their stores.
Workplaces with Shorter Dwell Times
Some workplaces have people who only stay for a hours. If you have a 22kW charger at your workplace you can give your employees a lot of power in a time. This makes them happy. It is good for the environment. It is also a thing to offer when you are trying to hire new employees.
Destination Charging Locations
Some places are just stops on the way to else. If you have a 22kW AC charger at one of these places you can give people a lot of power in a time. This is good for the people who are traveling. It is good for your business. It means people will stop at your place and charge their cars. Then they will be on their way. This is good, for everyone.
What Commercial Buyers Should Consider Before Choosing
Before you choose the AC charger for your site think about a few key things. This way your investment will work well now. In the future. Just picking a charger because it has power or is cheaper might not be the best idea. You might end up with chargers that don’t match how drivers use your location. Smart planning can help you avoid that.
Expected Dwell Time
Think about how long vehicles will stay parked. If drivers are on site for hours like at apartments or offices where people work for a long time chargers with lower power can still give them a full charge.. If people are only stopping for a short visit you might want faster charging. This way they can get some range before they leave. Studies show that drivers are more satisfied when charging speed matches parking duration.
User Type & Behavior
You need to know who your users are and how they behave. Are they people who commute every day visitors or hotel guests? Commuters who park all day might not need the chargers.. Guests who stay just a couple of hours might benefit from higher power. Understanding how your users behave helps you match your EV charging infrastructure to what they need.
Electrical Capacity & Infrastructure
Your sites existing electrical capacity limits how power you can support. You might need to upgrade if you want to support higher-kW AC chargers. When you plan ahead and check what your system can handle you can avoid construction costs.
Anticipated Utilization & Turnover
Estimate how often the chargers will be used and how quickly spots will free up. In places where vehicles come and go a lot faster chargers can keep things moving. This makes your EV stations more attractive. Industry forecasts indicate that commercial charger usage will rise sharply as more people start using vehicles.
Backend & Management Needs
Consider whether you need software features like user authentication, payment processing and usage reporting. These backend systems help you manage demand, track revenue and offer an experience for your users. Chargers with management tools can save time and make operations easier as your network grows.
Thinking through these factors ensures you choose charging solutions that fit your goals, your users and your sites real-world demands. Not a number, on a spec sheet. You want to make sure you get the chargers for your site.
If you are evaluating multiple AC power options for workplace, hotel, or destination charging, browse our 7kW–22kW AC charging lineup for commercial deployment.
Which Option Is Better for Hotels, Workplaces and Apartments?
When you are deciding between 7 kW and 22 kW AC chargers for your sites the best option really comes down to how long vehicles stay at your commercial sites how often they visit your commercial sites and what kind of experience you want to offer to the people who use your commercial sites.
Matching charger power to user behavior at your commercial sites helps you avoid over- or under-investing in your commercial sites and keeps your Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure working well for drivers and your business alike at your commercial sites.
Hotels: Opt for 22 kW
If you are installing chargers at a hotel 22 kW AC charging often makes the sense for hotels.
Many guests stay overnight at hotels. A good portion. Especially at business or airport hotels. May only park a few hours at hotels.
With 22 kW AC chargers drivers can get a boost even during shorter visits to hotels improving guest satisfaction and giving your hotel property a competitive edge over other hotels.
Workplaces: Choose Based on Dwell Time
Workplaces are a mixed case for Electric Vehicle chargers.
If employees park for a workday at workplaces slower chargers like 7 kW may be perfectly fine for workplaces and keep installation costs lower for workplaces.
But if your employees have schedules or your parking turnover is higher at workplaces then 22 kW stations help people leave with more range in fewer hours at workplaces.
Many workplaces that offer Level 2 charging see satisfaction rates because employees can reliably top up during the day at workplaces.
Apartments: 7 kW is the Most Common Choice
For apartments and multi-family housing 7 kW chargers are often the go-to option for apartments.
Residents typically park for hours. Like overnight. At apartments, which gives even slower Level 2 chargers plenty of time to deliver a full or substantial charge to the Electric Vehicles at apartments.
This keeps your infrastructure cost-effective without compromising driver experience at apartments.
Level 2 chargers, in the 7-22 kW range dominate charging installations because they align well with these longer dwell times at apartments.
Overall think about how long your users stay at your sites how often they come to your commercial sites and what kind of experience you want to deliver to the people who use your commercial sites.
When you match charger power to those patterns at your commercial sites you get a more efficient setup that drivers appreciate. And that works better for your business goals too at your commercial sites.
Conclusion: Match Power with Project Goals
Choosing the right AC charger power is all about matching your site, your users, and your budget. Think about how long vehicles stay, the type of location, and what makes sense financially. By aligning charger power with real-world needs, you ensure your EV charging infrastructure is effective, cost-efficient, and delivers a great experience. For more options and guidance, check out our full AC charger selection page.
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