Case FAQ about DC fast charging stations

Q1: How does DC charging work?

There are two different types of electric vehicle charging stations: AC and DC. It is important to remember that the electricity in the grid is always alternating current, and electric vehicle batteries only accept direct current. This means that at some stage, the current must be converted. The difference between AC charging stations and DC charging stations lies in whether the power converter is located on or outside the vehicle.

·AC is an AC/DC converter that delivers alternating current (AC) to vehicles.

·DC charging stations convert AC power before it reaches the vehicle, instead delivering direct current (DC) directly to the battery of the electric vehicle.  

By using DC charging, the converter can be significantly increased as it is located outside the vehicle. Because the current has already been converted to direct current when it reaches the vehicle, it can provide more power faster.  

Due to this different charging technology, DC stations can provide up to 350 kilowatts of electricity and fully charge electric vehicles within 15 minutes (provided that the electric vehicles allow it). Due to its fast charging capability, DC fast chargers are very suitable for short distance parking, fleet vehicle charging, and are beneficial for passenger cars as well as buses and trucks.

Q2: What is the power of a DC fast charger in kilowatts?

The power output of DC fast charging stations varies due to various factors, including location, brand, and model. Broadly speaking, there are two different types of DC fast charging stations: standalone and split type.

·Independent charging station: Composed of a unit, an independent charging station can typically provide 50 kW to 250 kW of electricity.

·Split type: Charging stations with a split type architecture have two main components - a user unit and a power unit, typically providing power ranging from 175 kW to 350 kW. At Champion, we have fast chargers ranging from 30 kW to 350 kW.

Q3:How fast is it to charge with DC charging?

There are many factors that affect the DC charging speed of electric vehicles. However, since the AC/DC converter is located at the charging station itself, charging electric vehicles with DC charging may be much faster than charging with AC.

The different factors that affect the DC charging speed of vehicles include the current battery level, weather conditions (batteries charge slowly in cold weather), battery charging capacity, and of course, power output.

Current battery level: Due to measures taken to extend battery life and ensure safe charging, the charging speed will significantly slow down during the last 20% of the time. Compared to AC charging, DC fast charging allows electric vehicle batteries to reach 80% capacity in a relatively short amount of time, and then decelerate within the remaining 20%, so the time required for the battery to reach 100% full charge may be the same as the initial 80% charging.

Weather conditions: Depending on the location where you are charging your electric vehicle, temperature may affect the charging speed. Low temperatures can have a negative impact on charging speed, as lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles are highly sensitive at low temperatures.

Power output: Obviously, the power output of the charger will affect the charging time. For example, a 15 minute charging time can provide you with an additional range of 130 to 480 kilometers at outputs of 100 kW and 350 kW, respectively. Charging a passenger car for one hour at a power of 50 kilowatts will increase the range by 278 kilometers.

Q4:Is DC fast charging more expensive than AC charging?

The cost of direct current fast charging is likely to be higher than charging electric vehicles with alternating current. When you pay for DC charging, you need to pay an additional fee to quickly charge the vehicle.

However, the price difference depends on the location where you charge and whether the charging station charges by the minute or by the kilowatt hour.

Balancing price and convenience boils down to knowing what's best for your car. For example, if your vehicle has a maximum DC charging capacity of 50 kW and you are using a super fast charging station (250 kW), you will pay more while still receiving the same fee.

In the end, the answer is yes. The cost of DC fast charging is higher than that of AC charging, but it is important to ask oneself, "Do I really need to charge so fast, or is it more logical to slow down the charging speed