There are two main types of chargers for electric vehicles, AC (alternating current), and DC (direct current) chargers. The main difference between the two is whether the conversion of AC power from the grid to DC power needed for charging an EV’s battery happens inside or outside the vehicle.

AC charging stations are the most common type of chargers. When charging with an AC charger, the AC to DC conversion happens inside the vehicle’s onboard converter. Given the limited space inside a vehicle, the size of the onboard converter is also limited. This means the maximum charging capacity an onboard converter can deliver is between 1.4 kW and 43 kW. EVBox offers three different AC charging stations: EVBox Elvi, EVBox Livo, and EVBox BusinessLine.

DC chargers convert AC power into DC power outside of the vehicle within the charging station. By moving the conversion outside of the vehicle, DC chargers can charge much faster, up to 350 kW. EVBox offers two different DC fast chargers: EVBox Troniq Modular, and EVBox Troniq High Power.

Power from the electricity grid is alternating current (AC) by nature. The electric power of a battery is direct current (DC) by nature. Therefore, to charge an electric vehicle from the grid, power must be converted from AC to DC.

When plugging an electric vehicle into an AC charging station, power from the grid is fed to the car via the vehicle inlet using the charging cable and connector. The onboard AC/DC converter converts AC power to DC power, suitable for charging the battery.

Due to the limited space inside a vehicle, the onboard charger is limited in size and weight. Therefore, onboard chargers typically have a power ranging between 1.9 kW – 43 kW.

To increase the charging power further, the AC/DC converter must be moved outside the vehicle and placed in an off-board charger. This is known as DC charging. DC power is directly fed to the car via a DC charging inlet. With no size or weight restrictions, the off-board charger can typically deliver up to 350 kW.

Just like electrical outlets, charging stations have different plugs and sockets depending on the vehicle brand and the country where you’re charging. Luckily though, most countries follow the below standards:

AC charging standards

For American and most Asian vehicles, Type 1 plugs are standard. These single-phase plugs can deliver up to 7.4 kW of power.

For European vehicles, Type 2 plugs are standard. These triple-phase plugs can deliver up to 22 kW for private charging, and up to 43 kW for public charging.

One exception is Tesla. In the US, all Tesla models have a specific type of socket. In Europe, all Tesla models have a Type 2 socket.

DC charging standards

The Combined Charging System or CCS plug is standard for European (CCS2) and North American (CCS1) car manufacturers. Supporting both AC and DC charging, it can deliver up to 350 kW of power.

Developed in Japan, the CHAdeMO charging plug enables high-power charging of up to 100 kW as well as bidirectional charging. At the moment, Asia is leading the way in manufacturing EVs compatible with CHAdeMO plugs. You may also find CHAdeMo plugs in Europe, however, they are slowly being phased out since 2018 as the technology is not fully ready.

GB/T is the Chinese standard for electric vehicle battery charging. Currently, GB/T plugs deliver up to 237.5 kW, however, China is developing a new version that could offer up to 900 kW.

Note: If your charging station has a fixed cable, you need to make sure the attached cable fits into your vehicle’s socket. For example, if you’re in Europe but drive an Asian Nissan LEAF, you’d need a cable that connects the Type 2 plug of the charging station with the Type 1 outlet of your vehicle.

All EVBox chargers are compatible with every electric vehicle with the standard Type 1 (SAE J1772) or Type 2 (IEC) connectors. As these connectors are the standard in most countries, you can confidently use EVBox chargers to power up your EV.

EVBox fast chargers are available with CCS and CHAdeMO connectors as standard ensuring they work with most EVs on the market.

Residential EV chargers are compact, built to blend in with the environment and provide a smooth charging experience for private users.

Commercial EV chargers are designed with durability in mind. They are weatherproof, shockproof, and can withstand 24/7 continuous charging. They also have load balancing capabilities to ensure multiple chargers can work together at any commercial location. Plus, with EV roaming, many EV drivers can charge at your charging stations, no matter if they’re using third-party cards and apps.

The cost to install an EV charger depends on the station you choose and the civil infrastructure at the location itself. Residential chargers are the least expensive to buy and install. Whereas commercial and fast chargers are more expensive.

In terms of installation costs, EV chargers are installed by certified electricians who charge usually charge an hourly or fixed rate. On top of this, you also need to consider the costs of installing heavy-duty electrical outlets, possible grid upgrades, optional wall mounts, and wiring, depending on the location of your chargers. In general, residential installations are the least expensive, whereas commercial installations are more expensive.

The time it takes to charge an EV depends on the size of the EV’s battery and the speed of the EV charger.

Fast chargers are the quickest way to charge an EV. In just 15 minutes to one hour, a 50 kW – 350 kW DC fast charger can deliver between 200 km – 500 km of range.

Residential or commercial AC charging stations between 7 kW – 22 kW take around four to eight hours to charge an EV from empty to full. However, instead of waiting until their battery is empty to charge, many EV drivers charge wherever they park. Known as the top-up model, this makes AC chargers a practical choice for businesses and drivers alike.