What is mode 4 charging?

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Although electric vehicles have been around for more than a hundred years, they are relatively new in the global transport sector. The rapid growth of electric vehicles has led to one of the main changes for drivers, namely how to “refuel”.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, electric vehicles and their accompanying infrastructure have evolved considerably. For many, this has created some confusion around the different types of charging, their names and what is best for certain vehicles and their drivers.

Today, there are three distinct types of charging that EV drivers can choose from: mode 2, mode 3 and mode 4. Mode 4 charging, also called “fast charging” or “direct current charging”, is the latest arrival in the electric mobility market. In this article, we will answer the most common questions that can arise from mode 4 charging.

The difference between mode 2, 3 and 4 loading

The three different EV charging modes all boil down to the output power of the terminal. The output power, in turn, has a direct relationship with the charging times. The higher the power, the faster the charging. Similarly, the higher the mode, the more power is delivered. Here is a brief overview of the three different EV charging modes:

Mode 2 load

Mode 2 charging is the slowest way to charge an electric vehicle and is primarily intended for home charging. As mode 2 charging is done by plugging the electric vehicle into a regular wall socket, the maximum power of mode 2 charging is between 1.3 kW and 2.4 kW, equivalent to about 6-8 kilometres per hour.

Mode 3 load

A Mode 3 charging station can recharge an electric vehicle faster than Mode 2, by providing power from 3 to 22kW to a vehicle. These charging stations are generally found in public parking lots and are an excellent option for companies that offer EV charging or wish to electrify their fleet. At the maximum power of 22 kW, one hour of mode 3 charging allows you to travel about 120 kilometers.

Mode 4 load

Mode 4 charging stations are the fastest on the market today. Capable of providing power between 50 kW and 350 kW, charging using a high-end mode 4 terminal allows to increase the range of an EV up to 480km. The terminals delivering a charging power of up to 50kW allow in one hour of charge, to recharge up to about 278km – depending on the capacity of the vehicle.

If you would like a more in-depth analysis of the differences between the three EV charging modes before addressing mode 4 charging, see our article explaining the different EV charging modes.

What is the difference between mode 4 charging, fast or ultra-fast charging and direct current charging?

E-mobility – and in particular the charging infrastructure sector – is evolving very rapidly, so that the definitions of many technologies have changed considerably.

What some call mode 4 charging, others call it direct current charging, fast charging, or even ultra-fast charging.

In reality, all these terms refer to charging stations that convert the current before it reaches the vehicle. Let’s hope this clears the confusion up a bit.

What is Mode 4 EV charging?

Ultimately, mode 4 EV charging is the fastest of the three modes currently available for EV drivers. Depending on the output power, a mode 4 terminal can charge an EV in minutes, while it takes hours for mode 2 and 3 terminals.

For example, at maximum power, a mode 4 terminal can charge an EV to 80% in 15 to 60 minutes. To learn more about the speed of mode 4 charging stations and the different factors that affect charging speed, we have written another article exploring this topic.

Due to the rapid evolution of charging, mode 4 charging is perfect for stops along highways, city charging, commercial enterprises such as gas stations and commercial fleets like taxis or delivery vehicles.

How do the mode 4 charging stations work?

To understand how mode 4 charging works, it is important to first understand two fundamental principles of electric vehicle charging.

• The current from the grid is always alternating current (AC).
• Electric vehicle batteries only accept direct current (DC)

These two factors combined mean that at some point, the current must be converted from AC to DC.

With mode 2 and mode 3 charging, the conversion (from alternating current to direct current) is done on board the vehicle itself, via an integrated charger. With mode 4 charging, the conversion takes place before the power reaches the vehicle, bypassing the slower built-in charger and directly charging the vehicle battery. Mode 4 terminals come in many shapes and sizes, but all have one thing in common: the conversion is done outside the vehicle.

And since the current is already converted when it reaches the vehicle, mode 4 charging stations can provide energy at higher speeds and are significantly faster than mode 2 or 3 charges.

How much does it cost to charge an EV with mode 4 charging?

As a general rule, charging mode 4 will always be more expensive than charging mode 2 or 3.

When you opt for mode 4 charging, you recharge your electric car very quickly and of course this convenience incurs additional costs.

The exact amount depends on many different factors: Where are you recharging? Are you charged per kWh, per minute, or maybe even a combination of the two?

To get the most out of mode 4 charging, you need to balance price with convenience and know what works best for your vehicle. For example, many electric vehicles have a maximum load capacity, i.e. a limited number of kW that the battery can absorb. If your vehicle’s maximum DC charging capacity is 50 kW and you charge to a Mode 4 (250 kW) superfast charger and pay by the minute, you will pay more for the same range.

Ultimately, mode 4 charging is more expensive than mode 2 and 3 charging, however if you are looking for convenience, the benefits may outweigh the costs.

Is mode 4 charging suitable for all electric vehicles?

Mode 4 charging works with almost all vehicles. The power that each vehicle can handle is very different and depends on the battery.

While some batteries can accept up to 350 kWh, others can only accept 50 kW. There are some vehicles equipped with smaller batteries, such as the one on the Fiat 500, which is not suitable for charging mode 4 EVs.

Tesla owners, although they have their own Mode 4 terminals called “Superchargers”, can also use the Mode 4 terminals, even if some models must use an adapter.

Can I install a level 3 terminal at my place?

Hypothetically yes, if you are a superhero, but in theory, this is not really possible.

The main advantages of mode 4 charging stations are that they are suitable for use in public and commercial places.

Due to their price (significantly higher than that of a Mode 2 or 3 charging station) and their complexity, fast-charge Mode 4 charging stations are not suitable for home installation. You will find more information about the domestic charging stations here.

What Mode 4 charging means for e-mobility

As Mode 4 charging unfolds on highways and in cities around the world, some see this technology as the turning point for electric mobility.

Although the percentage of electric vehicles in circulation is still relatively low compared to traditional gasoline cars, their adoption explodes from year to year. To reach a tipping point and drive mass adoption of EVs, the average EV will need to be able to offer more than 450 km range with half an hour load.  According to a study by Castrol, 57% of OEMs said that 30-40 minute loading is already available but not accessible for most drivers.

At the same time, the first factor that prevents future drivers from buying an electric vehicle is anxiety about autonomy – the fear of not being able to recharge their vehicle when and where they need it.

The deployment of Mode 4 fast-charging stations will undoubtedly make 30-minute charging more accessible to EV drivers and dispel this fear of range. As this technology becomes increasingly accessible, many expect the tipping point towards large-scale adoption to occur within the next two years.

Find out what mode 4 charging can mean for your business.

Read our free e-book to get a complete overview of all EV fast charging possibilities, their differences and points to watch before investing.