As Electric Vehicle (EV) usage and public charging networks expand, a conundrum appears as to what the most efficient and future-proof charging approaches emerges: Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). The debate over whether AC or DC charging is the key to a greener and more accessible EV ecosystem has emerged among automakers, legislators, and consumers. Both AC and DC charging technologies have distinct advantages and disadvantages, with each influencing aspects like charging speed & cost, infrastructure investment, and user convenience.
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While AC charging has long been the standard for charging at home and in the workplace, DC fast charging has emerged as the frontrunner for facilitating long-distance travel and reducing charging times for convenience. Although the question appears simple, the answer is not as straightforward; as it turns out, there is a need for both but that unfortunately makes Network Planning even more complex! It is estimated that there will be a need for DC Charging even in towns and cities (please see below)
Data derived from EU EV Masterplan: https://www.acea.auto/files/Research-Whitepaper-A-European-EV-Charging-Infrastructure-Masterplan.pdf
Why is there a need for both?
At the moment, the demographic of current EV users has meant that AC charging has been at the forefront with an estimate of 80% of EV users charging their vehicles at home. However, as adoption grows and the profile of EV drivers shifts this is bound to change. Public AC chargers are essential for residential areas, as well as destinations with long dwell times, like hotels.
In general, AC charging infrastructure is less expensive to install and operate than high-power DC fast chargers. As a result, companies, apartment complexes, and public parking lots with restricted budgets opt for the installation of AC charging stations, which also makes sense because of the longer dwell time.
DC fast chargers, on the other hand, are essential for long-distance travel and provide a high level of convenience. While they come with a higher price tag, consumers are willing to pay for the convenience of substantially faster charging, allowing EVs to add hundreds of miles of range, typically in 30 minutes or less.
DC fast chargers alleviate range anxiety by being placed along highways and main routes, while also catering to individuals and especially business users who do not have the time or opportunity for a 6-10 hour charge.
Comparison of Costs per kWh and Time to charge on typical AC and DC chargers
The need for both can also be illustrated with the example of locations that can either have a short or long dwell time, requiring both charger types, such as hotels; consumers can either stop for a quick lunch and top up with a DC charger or stay overnight and plug in to an AC one.
The logic behind a blended network
Unfortunately, most CPOs focus on one flavour of charging, although this is beginning to evolve presently they often deploy what they have instead of what the market requires. EV users have diverse demands and as the market grows, it is likely that only CPO's who can satisfy the whole range of demands will be the most successful.
On one hand having a blended network means catering to users in residential and workplace settings, but also on longer trips and in time poor scenarios. New charging technologies and standards will also develop as the EV sector evolves. With both AC and DC chargers, CPOs may change their infrastructure to suit future EV market trends without having to replace the entire charging network. Operators can diversify their revenue streams by installing both AC and DC chargers.
While AC charging may retain frequent customers for longer periods of time, DC fast charging, because of ease and shorter charging times, can produce more revenue each charging session. As local authorities invest in public charging networks, they are incentivising both AC and DC charger installation. Local authorities are already struggling with just AC deployment and a blended network is even more complex and difficult to plan and deploy making CPOs who can provide a blend preferred partners.
Anecdotally, it appears that the buyers (Local Authourities particularly) are becoming more more educated and sophisticated in their understanding of a blended estate as I have heard to tender responses being rejected for not considering both within the bid.
Whist it's good for CPOs to have a sole focus, because AC and DC are pretty different beasts perhaps it's unfortunate for Local Authorities, when they don't have a single supplier to manage and motivate it is a challenge to plan a network that serves the public well. It does seem that CPOs, either on there own or in cooperation with others that do not offer both may in the future be disadvantaged and much less likely to be successful.
In conclusion
The need for both AC and DC charging solutions is evident due to the diverse demands of electric vehicle users. AC charging drives EV adoption with home charging and workplace convenience, while DC fast chargers are essential for long-distance travel and reducing charging times. A blended network of both options allows for future adaptability, caters to varied scenarios, and positions charge point operators for sustained growth in the evolving EV market.
About Dodona Analytics
We are the leading EV network-planning platform and work with some of the most ambitious and successful CPOs to help deploy many tens of thousands of chargers every year. As Data Scientists that are experts in Future Mobility and changing the way we drive, we are passionate about building a better future!
Electricity is the backbone of all electric vehicles.
However, not all electricity is of the same quality.
There are two main types of electrical current: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current).
In this blog post, we will explore the differences between AC and DC charging and how they impact the charging process of electric vehicles.
But before we delve into the details, let's clarify something first.
Alternating current is what comes from the power grid (i.e., your household outlet).
Direct current is the energy stored in your electric car battery.
DC (direct current) power is a type of electrical power that flows in one direction.
Unlike AC power, which changes direction from time to time, DC power flows in a constant direction.
It's often used in devices that require a constant, steady power source, such as computers, televisions, and smartphones.
DC power is generated by devices such as EV batteries and solar panels, which produce a constant flow of electrical current.
Unlike AC power, which can be easily transformed to different voltages using transformers, DC power requires a more complex conversion process to change its voltage.
AC (alternating current) power is a type of electrical power that changes direction every now and then.
The direction of AC voltage and current changes periodically, typically at a frequency of 50 or 60 Hz.
The direction of the electric current and voltage reverses at regular intervals, which is why it's called alternating current.
The AC electricity flows through the power lines and into your home, where it is accessible through the power outlets.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Are Electric Cars Ac or Dc.
Accessibility. AC charging is accessible to most people because it can be done using a standard electrical outlet.
This means that EV drivers can charge at home, work, or public places without specialized equipment or infrastructure.
Safety. AC charging is generally considered safer than other charging methods because it delivers power in a sine waveform, which is less likely to cause electrical shock than other waveforms.
Affordability. AC charging is less expensive than other charging methods because it does not require specialized equipment or infrastructure.
This makes it a more cost-effective option for most people.
Slow charging times. AC chargers have limited charging power and are slower than DC stations, which can be a disadvantage for EVs that require fast charging on the road, such as those used for long-distance travel.
Charging times for AC charging can range from a few hours up to days, depending on the battery's capacity.
Energy efficiency. AC chargers are not as energy-efficient as ultra-fast charging stations because they require a transformer to convert the voltage.
This conversion process results in some energy loss, which can be a disadvantage for those who are concerned about energy efficiency.
Fast charging. DC charging is the fastest charging method available for electric vehicles (EVs). It can charge an EV in as little as 20-30 minutes, depending on the capacity of the battery being charged.
DC charging cons:
Accessibility. In certain regions, rapid charging stations may be scarce or widely dispersed. Not all public charging stations have fast charging equipment, so EV drivers will have to use an app to locate nearby DC chargers.
Cost. Charging at DC charging stations can be costly, depending on location.
Some are free for the first 30 minutes, while some charge a fixed fee.
The bottom line is, it's more expensive than AC charging.
Battery degradation. Frequent fast charging is known to have adverse effects on a car's battery.
The charging curve exhibits degradation, wherein the charging process initiates at a rapid pace, but gradually decelerates as the battery approaches its maximum capacity.
In comparison, AC power travels in a flat line since the onboard charger can only accept limited power spread over longer periods.
AC chargers for EVs are similar to AC chargers for other devices.
An AC charger uses a sine waveform to deliver power to the electric vehicle battery.
The voltage used for an AC charging station is typically between 110-240V, depending on the country and electrical standards.
This is relatively slow compared to a DC charger, with charging times ranging from a few hours to days, depending on the battery's capacity.
Because of this, AC charging is also known as slow or trickle charging.
AC chargers deliver power to the EV's onboard charger, which then converts AC power to DC power that can be used by the EV battery.
AC chargers are typically used for home charging and can often be plugged directly into a regular household outlet.
Meanwhile, DC charging stations are significantly faster and more efficient than AC chargers.
DC fast charging uses a constant waveform to deliver power to the electric vehicle's battery.
Unlike an AC charger that needs an on-board charger to convert AC power, a DC charging station already has a converter inside, which allows it to deliver energy directly to the car batteries, effectively increasing the charging speed.
The voltage used for DC fast chargers is typically between 400-800V, which is significantly higher than the voltage used for AC charging.
This higher voltage allows for faster charging times, with some EVs being able to charge in as little as 20-30 minutes.
Because of the significant amount of power required, DC chargers can only be found in commercial EV charging stations.
Mixing AC and DC charging for electric cars can be a practical solution for some EV owners.
This is because AC charging is more widely available and less expensive than DC charging, while the latter provides faster charging times.
One way to mix AC and DC charging is to use AC charging for daily charging needs and DC charging for long-distance travel or when fast charging is required.
This allows EV owners to take advantage of the convenience and accessibility of AC charging for daily charging needs, while still having the option to use DC charging for fast charging when necessary.
Another way to mix AC and DC charging is to use a hybrid charger that combines AC and DC charging capabilities.
These hybrid chargers can provide both AC and DC charging from the same charging station, which can be a practical solution for EV owners who want the flexibility to use both types of charging.
However, it's important to note that not all EVs are compatible with both AC and DC charging.
Some EVs require specialized charging equipment, which may not be compatible with all charging stations.
In addition, mixing AC and DC charging can be more expensive than using AC charging alone.
DC charging is more expensive than AC charging and may require additional fees or subscriptions to use.
Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries to operate. Lithium ions are released from the positive electrode when the battery is charged and move through the electrolyte solution to the negative electrode, creating a potential difference that produces electrical energy. When the battery is discharged, the process is reversed, and the lithium ions move back to the positive electrode, releasing electrical energy to power the vehicle.
This will depend on your charging needs. If you drive short distances on a daily basis, then regular top-ups using an AC charger should be enough. But if you're always on the road and are driving long distances, DC charging is the better option, as you can fully charge your EV in less than an hour. Do note that frequent rapid charging could cause battery degradation as the high power produces too much heat.
Yes, DC charging is faster than AC. DC chargers can deliver power directly to the car's battery without relying on the EV's onboard charger. This eliminates the need for conversion and speeds up the charging process. AC chargers provide between 3-40 miles of range per hour of charging, while DC fast chargers can charge batteries from 0 to 80% in just 20 minutes.
Tesla uses both AC and DC charging. The Mobile and Wall Connectors use alternating current, while the Supercharger uses direct current.
In the long run, AC charging is better for battery health as it doesn't put too much strain on the battery. Since DC charging requires more power, it produces heat that degrades the battery faster.
Electric vehicles run on direct current. The battery in an EV stores electrical energy in a DC format, and the electric motor that powers the vehicle runs on DC power as well.
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