What are the differences between DC charging stations and AC charging stations? How to choose?

In today's rapidly developing electric vehicle market, choosing the right charging station has become one of the important issues faced by car owners. What is the difference between DC charging stations and AC charging station areas? What aspects are different? What are the applicable scenarios for each? How to choose different scenarios? This article will provide you with a detailed explanation.

Working principle of DC charging station and AC charging station

The charging process of electric vehicles requires the conversion of alternating current (AC) from an external power source into direct current (DC) stored in the battery. The AC charging station hands over this conversion process to the car charger, which converts the external AC power into DC power for storage. The DC charging station completes the conversion process from AC to DC inside the charging station, directly supplying DC power to the electric vehicle battery.

Advantages and Applications of Communication Charging Stations

The AC charging station (commonly known as "slow charging") charges the battery of an electric vehicle through a car charger, and the charging process requires the car charger to convert AC power into DC power. This method of charging is relatively slow, but it causes less battery damage.

1. Lower cost: Due to the simple converter of AC charging stations and the fact that the main power conversion is completed inside the car charger, the cost of AC charging stations is lower compared to DC charging stations.

2. Easy installation and maintenance: AC charging stations have a small volume, flexible installation, and relatively low requirements for ground bearing capacity, making them easy to install and use in personal residences, commercial buildings, and other places.

3. Wide applicability: Almost all electric vehicles support AC charging, making AC charging stations more widely applicable.

However, the charging efficiency of communication charging stations is relatively low, usually taking several hours to complete the charging process, making them more suitable for situations where people stay at home or work for a long time.

Advantages and Applications of DC Charging Stations

Flow charging stations (also known as "fast charging stations") directly convert alternating current into direct current to quickly charge the batteries of electric vehicles with high power. This method can bypass the limitations of car chargers and directly charge the battery, resulting in a faster charging speed.

1. Fast charging speed: The most significant advantage is the fast charging speed. For consumers in urgent need of quick power replenishment, DC charging stations can charge electric vehicles to around 80% of their capacity within 30 minutes, greatly improving charging efficiency.

2. High efficiency conversion: Due to the fact that the power conversion process is completed inside the charging station, energy transmission losses are reduced and charging efficiency is improved.

3. High degree of intelligence: DC charging stations are generally equipped with more advanced control systems and user interfaces, which can provide more charging management and payment functions.

The main disadvantage of DC charging stations is their high cost and relatively strict installation and maintenance requirements. Therefore, they are more commonly installed in public charging stations and fast charging networks.

Comparison of Core Differences between DC Charging Stations and AC Charging Stations

1. Charging speed

DC charging station: Due to its high charging power, usually above 60kW, there are other specifications such as 30kW, 120kW, 160kW, 360kW, 380kW, etc. Supercharging stations can even reach 800kW, so the charging speed is faster. In an ideal situation, the battery can be fully charged within 20-150 minutes;

AC charging station: The charging power of AC charging stations is generally low, usually around 7kW, and there are other specifications such as 3.5kW and 11KW, so the charging time is longer, usually taking 8-15 hours to fully charge the battery;

2. Charging pile cost

DC charging station: The manufacturing and installation costs of DC charging stations are relatively high, requiring large volume transformers and AC-DC conversion modules, which are much more expensive than AC charging stations;

Communication charging station: The manufacturing and installation cost of communication charging stations is relatively low, the structure is simple, the volume is small, and it is easy to install and popularize;

3. Volume of charging station

Due to the large number of internal components, the volume of the DC pile is relatively large, and its charging gun head has nine holes;

The modules of the communication station are relatively few and the volume is small, with a 7-hole charging gun head;

4. Impact on batteries

DC charging station: DC charging stations may cause certain damage to the battery during the charging process, as their output current is high and they release more heat during charging. High temperatures may lead to a sudden decrease in battery capacity and damage to the battery cells;

AC charging station: Due to its low charging power and long charging time, AC charging stations do not cause excessive impact on the battery, which is beneficial for extending battery life;

5. Protection level

DC charging station: Generally, DC charging stations are more commonly used in complex outdoor scenarios, facing more complex weather such as rain and snow, with higher protection levels, generally above IP54 protection level.

AC charging station: Generally, DC charging stations are more commonly used in indoor garage scenarios, facing relatively simple environments and requiring lower levels of protection.

6. Adapt to the scene

DC charging station: Due to its fast charging speed, DC charging stations are suitable for installation in charging stations next to highways, taxi and bus stops, and other scenarios that require high charging time.

Communication charging station: Communication charging stations are suitable for installation in residential areas, parking lots, and other places to meet daily charging needs, especially suitable for night charging because users can charge at night and the battery will be fully charged the next day when using the vehicle.

How to choose between DC charging station and AC charging station?

Choosing the appropriate type of charging station should be based on the following considerations:

1. Charging speed requirement: If you often need fast charging, a DC charging station is a more suitable choice. But if most of the time is spent parking at home or work for a long time, then AC charging stations can meet the demand.

2. Installation site: Considering the installation cost and the adaptability of charging piles to the environment, individual residences and small businesses are more suitable for installing AC charging piles.

3. Budget: If the budget is sufficient, it is possible to consider equipping DC charging stations in public places to attract more electric vehicle owners to use them. However, if the budget is limited, AC charging stations are a more economical choice.

Current situation and development trend of charging pile market

The market concentration of DC charging piles is relatively high, with the market share of major operators reaching 85.2%, and the number of public DC piles continues to grow, but the proportion has decreased. Communication charging stations: Due to their low cost and ease of promotion, communication charging stations are commonly built in residential areas, parking lots, and other places.

With the continuous expansion of the electric vehicle market, both DC charging piles and AC charging piles will be more widely used. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the decrease of costs, both will improve in charging speed, intelligence level, cost-effectiveness, and other aspects. At the same time, new charging technologies such as wireless charging will gradually mature, bringing more and more convenient choices for electric vehicle users.