Taycan can charge faster on AC 3 phase?

[Undirection]

How does this work? According to their site the Taycan can charge at 7kW AC. I am guessing this is the max the inverter in the car can convert to AC but then it says it can charge at 11kW from AC 3 phase too. Given my basic knowledge, isn't 3 phase essentially just 3 supplies of single phase? What am I missing?

[phil4]

3 phase isn't 3 separate supplies, it's where the alternating current is at a different phase from the other phases.

As such you can get more power using the peak of two or even three cycles. If the car allows, and can work with it, that means you can get 11Kw rather than 7Kw, because you're using the next phase.

But why not 14 or 21Kw? Because they're not 100% out of sync, each phase is a partial overlap of the previous... like the graph here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase

Unless you really really need it, I wouldn't aim to get it, it'll cost a lot to install, smart meters which are three phase aren't easily fitted/supplied etc.

[Undirection]

Thank you, very helpful. Every day's a school day

[theboss]

7.4kw single phase charging is based on 1 x 32A

11kw 3-phase charging is based on 3 x 16A

You can deliver more power on 3-phase but you have to uprate the AC hardware in the car, there is an option for 22kw charging which is 3 x 32A

[Heres Johnny]

3 phase is effectively 3 supplies from a maths perspective for charging.

But EVs tend top out at either 32a single phase or 16A 3 phase hence 7kw and 11kw. The reason is often because they have the capability to do 3x 16A in the car and they simply share a single phase 32A supply in the car between 2 of them. There are a few exceptions, Tesla manages to get to 17kw from 3 phase on some cars and once upon a time used to have a second charger option which gave 32a 3 phase. I'm pretty sure some of the smaller EVS (maybe wothout DC charging) allow 32A 3 phase and I think some of the Zoes even managed 40kw+ AC charging at specialist chargers.

Edited by Heres Johnny on Tuesday 10th November 11:48

[DuncanM23]

Yes, just for completeness, all Zoes can charge at 22kW, which is 3 phase 32A. This uses the motor windings as part of the inverter circuit. There was also a "Q" model in the 22kWh and 40kWh cars that had a different motor, and that could do 43kW on 3 phase (I assume 64A). 22kW chargers are relatively common (and simple), especially in France, but the 43kW ones are almost always built into the same unit as 50kW DC chargers, and the newer charge point providers seem to be ignoring these and only providing CCS.