A faster home charger sounds like an easy upgrade, and it often is. But the speed you get is set by two limits: what the charger can deliver and what the vehicle can accept. The lower of the two wins. Understanding that helps you decide whether a higher-output charger will change your charging times.
Why the car sets the pace
Most home chargers supply alternating current, or AC. The vehicle contains an onboard charger that converts that AC power into direct current for the battery. Each vehicle has a maximum onboard charging rate, and it cannot take more than that, regardless of the charger. This is why a charger's rating and the car's real charging speed are not always the same.
Vehicles differ widely in this limit. Some accept only a few kilowatts, and others accept considerably more. Your vehicle's maximum AC charging rate is listed in its owner's documentation.
A worked example
Suppose a battery holds 75 kWh, and two cars with different onboard limits are each plugged into a 9.6 kW charger. Car A accepts up to 7 kW, so charging takes roughly 11 hours from empty. Car B accepts up to 11 kW, but the 9.6 kW charger caps it, so charging takes roughly 8 hours. A charger with 11.5 kW would not change Car A at all, and would cut Car B's time by roughly an hour.
Real charging also slows near the top of the battery, and energy losses add time. The numbers above are round estimates that show the logic, not promises for any specific car.
Where a faster charger does help
A higher-output charger is most useful when the vehicle can accept the extra power, the circuit can carry it, and the time you have is short. Examples include a large battery that must be refilled overnight, a household with more than one EV, or a daily schedule that leaves very little parked time.
Home AC charging is also different from DC fast charging. DC fast chargers send direct current straight to the battery, bypassing the onboard charger. Home Level 2 chargers are designed for overnight and long-parking use.
Check the circuit, too
A charger's practical rating also depends on the circuit it runs on. A 48-amp charger needs a 60-amp circuit and must be hardwired. A licensed electrician should do that work, and local permits or inspections may apply.
How this applies to EVIQO chargers
EVIQO's five chargers are 240-volt units rated at 40 amps (9.6 kW) or 48 amps (11.5 kW). Before choosing the higher output, confirm your vehicle's maximum AC charging rate and your circuit size. If your car accepts less than 9.6 kW, a 40-amp model may deliver the same charging speed with a smaller circuit requirement. Each charger comes with a 25 ft cable and a 3-year warranty.