Are you thinking about switching to electric vehicles but are confused by the various types of EV chargers and connectors available? We recognize that navigating the world of EV charging may be difficult, so we've created a short guide to help you understand the fundamentals.
An electric vehicle (EV) charger is a piece of equipment that supplies electrical power for charging plug-in electric vehicles (including cars, trucks, buses, and plug-in hybrids). These chargers come in two forms:
AC Chargers - An AC charger provides power to the onboard charger of the vehicle, converting that AC power to DC to charge the battery. These chargers are slow and thus take 6-8 hours to charge a vehicle completely.
DC Chargers - DC chargers are high-capacity chargers used for fast- charging the vehicle. DC chargers directly deliver DC power to the battery, bypassing all of the limitations of low capacity conversion of the onboard chargers, thus taking less time to charge the electric vehicles.
Electric vehicle chargers can be further classified based on the charging guns. There are three main types of EV charger:
· Type 2 Charger - The Type 2 Charger provides slow chargers and is compatible with both AC charging systems. These types of chargers work with single-phase or three-phase input power systems, depending on the charger rating. The input power can manage between 3.3 kW to 43 kW with a 400-volt AC supply. Such chargers are usually ideal to be installed at home, compatible with vehicles with CCS-2 plugs. It is among the prominent standards in the Indian market.
· CCS or Combined Charging System - For DC charging, one of the prominent standards in the four-wheelers and bus segment for high-capacity charging is CCS. A combined charging system plug or CCS type plug (often called a CCS Type 2) is common in current-age electric vehicles. CCS-based chargers are fast chargers and are prominently used for a public charging station. CCS can deliver power up to 350kW and with a wide operating voltage of 200-1000VDC, which is the highest in the industry of EV Charging.
· CHAdeMo Charger - With global acceptance and presence in over 70+ countries worldwide, this is one of the first types of fast-charging systems developed. It can handle DC fast- charging of up to 62.5 kW. But the new electric vehicles are now switching to CCS due to its versatility.
It's important to note that not all electric vehicles are compatible with all charging connectors. Before you hit the road, make sure to check your vehicle's charging capabilities and ensure that the charging station you plan to use has a compatible connector.
Overall, making the switch to electric vehicles can be a bit intimidating, but understanding the basics of EV chargers and connectors can make the transition much smoother. At ElectricPe, we're committed to provide smart, affordable, and clean Electric Mobility to a billion Indians. Click here to learn more and get plugged in!
