Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1 EV charger: which one fits best?
The Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1 is the first electric generation of this van, built between 2011 and 2017. It charges at home on a single phase, up to 3.7 kW, a good deal slower than the later Z.E. 33. For an affordable work van that is often bought second hand, that pace is usually plenty: you plug it in at the end of the day and drive off the next morning on a full battery. Renault builds several electric vans with very different charging speeds, which you can compare on our Renault EV chargers overview.
For the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1 we recommend a charger from our 7.4 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | approx. 21 kWh (22 kWh gross) |
| Max. AC charging power (at home) | 3.7 kW (single phase, 16A) |
| Charging time with a 3.7 kW charger | approx. 6 to 7 hours |
| Charging connector | Type 1 (Yazaki) |
| DC fast charging | not available |
Which EV charger suits the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1?
The Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1 charges on one phase up to 3.7 kW, so its onboard charger sets the ceiling. Our entry level 7.4 kW charger covers that comfortably, with headroom left for a faster-charging vehicle later, while a heavier 11 or 22 kW unit adds nothing for this van. Do watch the connector. The van has a Type 1 inlet while most of our chargers carry a Type 2 socket, so you bridge the two with a Type 1 to Type 2 charging cable. We always recommend having the charger connected by a qualified electrician, which is safer and important for your insurance.
Pick a charger with a MID meter, a certified kWh meter that records exactly what goes into the van. You need those certified readings whenever you have to prove your charging to someone else, an employer, a lease company, a landlord or an owners' association, because without them each of those settlements is only an estimate. In the Netherlands there is an extra reason: from 2026 private drivers can earn back up to 500 euros a year through their energy supplier, but only with a certified meter, and that scheme applies in the Netherlands only. In our view a MID meter is no longer a luxury, and a charger without one closes those doors. Our EV chargers with a MID meter show which models qualify.
Two more features earn their keep on a van like this. A charger with dynamic load balancing turns the power down by itself when the rest of the building draws heavily, so a long overnight session never trips your main fuse. An EV charger with an app lets you move charging to off-peak hours and read back every session. Starting from scratch? Our home EV chargers are the easiest place to begin.
Do you have solar panels? Then a solar controlled model is worth a look, because it tops the van up with your own surplus. Browse our solar EV chargers, or see every option in our 7.4 kW EV chargers.
How long does the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1 take to charge?
With a 3.7 kW charger you fill the usable battery from empty to full in about 6 to 7 hours. Plug the van in at the end of the working day and it is ready the next morning. A portable charger on an ordinary wall socket delivers around 2.3 kW, which stretches that time considerably and makes it a fallback rather than a daily routine for a working van.
Other versions of the Renault Kangoo Z.E.
Wallbox Discounter also has charging information for the other versions of the Renault Kangoo Z.E.:
- Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 2, the newer generation with a larger battery and faster onboard charger
- Renault Kangoo Maxi Z.E. 33, the longer variant
Frequently asked questions
Does the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1 need a three phase connection?
No. The Phase 1 charges on one phase only, up to 3.7 kW. A three phase connection charges this van no faster. A single phase 16A supply is enough, as long as there is current left over for the rest of your home or business premises. A charger with load balancing adjusts its power to your consumption automatically, which keeps the circuit from being overloaded.
Why does a MID meter matter on this van?
A MID certified kWh meter records your charging exactly, which is what you need when the van is used for work and the electricity has to be settled with an employer or a lease company. In the Netherlands it is also the condition for the scheme that lets private drivers earn back up to 500 euros a year from 2026, a scheme that applies in the Netherlands only. A charger without that meter is cheaper, but it cannot deliver certified readings.
Which charging connector does the Kangoo Z.E. Phase 1 have?
It has a Type 1 (Yazaki) inlet, the standard on early Japanese and European EVs, while our chargers use a Type 2 socket. You therefore bridge the two with a Type 1 to Type 2 cable rated for at least the van's 3.7 kW. On a charger with a fixed cable, check that it is the Type 1 version before you order.