Electric car charging points for homes and businesses

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

Once an electric car is plugged into an AC charging point, power from the grid is delivered to the car via the vehicle inlet using the charging cable and connector. The AC/DC converter onboard transforms 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 range in power capacity from 1.9 kW to 43 kW.

Electric car chargers are divided into two categories: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). The key difference between the two is whether the AC power from the grid is converted to DC power for charging inside or outside the vehicle.

The most common type of charger is an AC charging point. The AC to DC conversion occurs inside the vehicle's onboard converter when charging with an AC charger. The size of the onboard converter is limited due to the limited space within a vehicle. This means that an onboard converter's maximum charging capacity is between only 1.4 and 43 kW. The EVBox Elvi and EVBox BusinessLine are two separate AC charging points offered by EVBox.

DC chargers convert AC power into DC power outside of the vehicle within the charging point. By moving the conversion outside of the vehicle, DC chargers can charge significantly faster, up to 350 kW. The EVBox Troniq 50, EVBox Troniq Modular, and EVBox Ultroniq are three different DC fast charging points offered by EVBox.

Do you want to learn more? Read more about the differences between AC and DC in our blog.

Just like power outlets, charging points have different plugs and sockets based on the car brand and the country where you're charging. Fortunately, most countries adhere to the following guidelines:

Charging standards for AC

Type 1 plugs are standard in American and most Asian vehicles. These single-phase connectors have a maximum power output of 7.4 kW.

Type 2 plugs are standard for European vehicles. These triple-phase plugs provide a private charging capacity of 22 kW and a public charging capacity of 43 kW.

Tesla is an exception. All Tesla models in the United States have a specific type of socket. All Tesla models in Europe, however, feature a Type 2 plug.

Charging standards for DC

For European (CCS2) and North American (CCS1) car manufacturers, the Combined Charging System or CCS plug is the industry standard. It can offer up to 350 kW of power and supports both AC and DC charging.

The CHAdeMO charging plug, which was developed in Japan, allows for high-power charging of up to 100 kW as well as bidirectional charging. Asia is currently leading the way in the production of electric cars that work with CHAdeMO connectors. CHAdeMo connectors are also available in Europe, although they have been gradually phased out since 2018 due to the technology's lack of maturity.

The Chinese standard for electric car charging is GB/T. GB/T plugs currently deliver up to 237.5 kW, but China is working on a new version that could deliver up to 900 kW.

Note: If your charging point has a fixed cable, make sure the cable connecting to it fits into the socket in your vehicle. For example, if you live in Europe but drive an Asian Nissan LEAF, you'll need a cable to connect the charging point's Type 2 socket to your vehicle's Type 1 outlet.

Every electric car with a Type 1 (SAE J1772) or Type 2 (IEC) connector is compatible with an EVBox charger. As these connectors are common in most countries, you may charge your electric car with confidence using EVBox chargers.

EVBox fast chargers are available with CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, enabling compatibility with the majority of electric cars on the market.

Do you want to know more? Take a peek at this blog to learn more about electric car charging cables and plugs.

Residential charging points for electric cars are small, designed to blend in with their surroundings, and offer a smooth charging experience for private users.

Commercial charging points for electric cars are built to last. They are waterproof, shockproof, and can be charged continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also feature load balancing capabilities, allowing several chargers to work in any business setting. Furthermore, many electric car drivers can charge at your charging points using third-party cards and apps thanks to electric car roaming.

The length of time it takes to charge an electric car is determined by the size of the battery and the charging speed of the charging point.

Fast charging points are the quickest way to charge an electric car. A 50 kW - 350 kW DC fast charger can offer 125 to 310 miles of range in 15 minutes to an hour.

Charging an electric car from empty to full at a residential or commercial AC charging point with a power output of 7 kW to 22 kW takes four to eight hours. Therefore, many electric car drivers, on the other hand, charge wherever they park rather than waiting until their battery is completely depleted. This is known as the top-up approach, and it makes AC charging points a viable option for both companies and drivers.

The cost of installing an electric car charger is determined by the charging point you select as well as the civil infrastructure existing in the area. The least expensive to buy and install are residential charging points. Commercial and rapid charging points, on the other hand, are more expensive.

In terms of installation expenses, electric car chargers are typically installed by trained electricians at an hourly or fixed rate. In addition, depending on the location of your charging point, you'll need to factor in the price of adding heavy-duty electrical outlets, probable grid modifications, optional wall mounts, and wiring. Residential installations are often the least priced, whereas commercial installations are more costly.