Bought an electric car, or planning to? After the car, your next big decision is the right EV charger. The wrong charger charges slowly, faults often or does not fit your car at all.
Many new owners rely on the charger that came with the car, or buy one online without knowing the types, and pay more later.
This guide covers charger types, compatibility with your car and the mistakes to avoid, so you choose right the first time.
Types of EV chargers
EV chargers come in three levels, each with its own speed, cost and typical use.
Level 1: slow charging
This charger runs on a standard 220V household socket and delivers only 1.4 to 2.3 kW. It is usually the portable charger that comes with the car. Use it for emergencies only, because a full charge takes 20 to 40 hours depending on the battery.
Level 2: home and commercial charging
This is the best option for daily use. It runs on AC power at 7 to 22 kW and needs a dedicated circuit, usually 32 amps or more. A full charge takes 3 to 8 hours, which suits homes, offices, hotels and mall parking.
Level 3: DC fast charging
DC chargers are the fastest type. Their output runs from 50 kW to 360 kW and more, and they charge a car from 10% to 80% in 20 to 45 minutes. They are expensive and need dedicated infrastructure, so you find them at fuel stations, on highways and at large commercial sites.
How to tell which charger fits your car
Price and appearance aren't enough to choose a charger. Settle these three factors before you buy.
1. Check the connector type
This is the most important step. If the charger's connector doesn't match your car, you can't use it. The common types in Saudi Arabia and the region are:
- Type 2 (Mennekes): The European standard and the most common in Saudi Arabia. Most European and Asian vehicles use it, including BMW, Mercedes, BYD and Hyundai. It supports AC charging at 7 to 22 kW.
- CCS2 (Combined Charging System): The Type 2 connector with extra DC pins at the bottom. It supports DC fast charging and is the approved fast-charging standard in Saudi Arabia.
- CHAdeMO: An older Japanese standard used by some Nissan and Mitsubishi models. It is less common now because most manufacturers have moved to CCS2.
- Tesla (NACS): Teslas in North America use their own connector. In Saudi Arabia and Europe they come with CCS2.
Tip: Check your car's manual or visit the manufacturer's website to confirm the exact connector type. Most EVs sold in Saudi Arabia support Type 2 for standard charging and CCS2 for fast charging.
2. Work out your daily charging needs
Not everyone needs the same charging capacity. It depends on how many kilometers you drive daily:
- Less than 50 km per day: A 7 kW charger is enough. Plug in at night and the car is fully charged by morning.
- 50 to 100 km per day: A 7 kW charger works, but an 11 kW charger charges faster and gives you more margin.
- More than 100 km per day: Consider an 11 or 22 kW charger depending on your car's on-board charger capacity.
The simple rule: every 1 kW of charger output adds about 5 to 6 km of range per hour of charging. So a 7 kW charger adds about 35 to 40 km per hour.
3. Choose the right output: 7, 11 or 22 kW
This is the question we hear most. Here is how the options compare:
- 7 kW, single-phase: The most popular option for homes in Saudi Arabia. It needs a 32-amp single-phase connection, covers most users who charge overnight, and costs less to install.
- 11 kW, three-phase: Needs a three-phase connection in the electrical panel. It charges 50% faster than a 7 kW charger and suits households with more than one car or long daily drives.
- 22 kW, three-phase: The fastest AC option. Many cars' on-board chargers take only 7 or 11 kW, and a 22 kW charger cannot push them past that. It suits commercial sites that serve many different cars.
Important: Charging runs at the lower of the wall charger's output and the car's on-board charger capacity. For example, if your wall charger is 22 kW but your car supports only 7 kW, it charges at 7 kW.
Popular charger brands in Saudi Arabia
These charger brands are the best known in Saudi Arabia:
- Schneider Electric: A global electrical company. Its chargers suit home and commercial use and come in 7, 11 and 22 kW versions.
- ABB: A Swiss company that makes AC and DC chargers. Its DC fast chargers are common at commercial and public stations.
- Wallbox: A Spanish maker of smart home chargers, with an app to control charging remotely.
- EVBox: A Dutch company whose charge point management system, or CPMS, suits businesses and complexes with many charging points.
The right brand depends on whether you need a simple home charger or a commercial setup with management and billing. A specialist can help you choose for your site and budget.
Home vs commercial chargers
Home and commercial chargers differ in output, features and cost.
For a home with one or two EVs, a 7 or 11 kW charger is the right choice. A business that wants to offer charging to customers or staff needs commercial chargers with a charge point management system.
5 common mistakes when choosing a charger
These are the mistakes we see most often on our installations across Saudi Arabia:
Buying a charger with the wrong connector: Some buyers order from Amazon or AliExpress without checking the connector, then cannot use the charger.
Choosing a lower output than needed: A 3.5 kW charger costs less but takes twice as long. Buy at least 7 kW. The price gap is small, and the time saved is large.
Ignoring smart features: Smart chargers let you schedule charging at night, track energy use and get remote updates. Skip chargers without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Not accounting for installation costs: Wiring, a dedicated breaker, cables and labor can add 30% to 50% to the charger price. Ask for a full quote before you decide.
Hiring a non-specialized electrician: Installing an EV charger needs a technician who knows charging systems and electrical protection, not a general electrician. A bad installation can damage the charger or the battery and void the car's warranty.
Our advice: Talk to a specialist before you buy a charger online. They can inspect your electrical setup and recommend a charger that fits your car and building. A few minutes of advice can save thousands of riyals.
Need help choosing a charger?
Our team inspects your electrical setup for free, recommends a charger for your car and budget, and gives you a full quote with no obligation.
