What is a DC fast charger? The DC fast charger might be your ideal option to charge your electric vehicle in twenty to ninety minutes. While it is less popular than the AC charging system, the DC fast charger is a lifesaver for long-distance drivers and fleet managers.
The AC charging unit transmits electricity to the onboard charger within the car, converting it into a direct current for storage in the battery. On the other hand, a DC fast charger converts alternating current into a direct one in its system.
This detailed guide will help you discover what a DC charger is and how it works. Moreover, you will understand how it differs from the more popular AC charger. Let us start learning next.
Overview of DC Fast Chargers
The world of electric vehicles is growing at an alarming rate. Countless people now prefer driving an EV to a combustion engine car. The rapid adoption of EVs has created a demand for a more convenient and efficient charging system.
The DC fast charger or level 3 charger is the solution that Tesla and other brands have provided for the AC charging problem. It is a highly-powerful charging infrastructure that charges a battery directly in about ninety minutes. On the other hand, an AC EV charger sends electric power to the car’s onboard converter, which converts it into DC before it enters the battery.
The DC fast charger has shortened the process by bypassing the onboard charger and adding the DC power directly to the battery. It has significantly reduced the AC level 1 and 2 waiting times. If you are a long-distance driver, you will love the rapidness and accuracy of the DC fast charger or level 3 charger.
How A DC Fast Charger Works
Now you know what is a DC fast charger. Next, you are probably asking this question: how does a DC fast charger work? To understand how DC fast chargers operate, learn the difference between direct and alternating currents. Alternating current, or AC, is the power type that electricity grids generate for residential, industrial, and commercial use.
Direct current is the power found in a car battery. In a typical combustion engine car, the battery charges as you drive. Once you add power to an electric vehicle’s onboard charger, it will convert it into direct current for storage in the battery. An ordinary charging station can take many hours to do the AC to DC power conversion process, causing inconvenience because of the long wait.
But, what is a DC fast charger and how does it solve this problem? The DC fast charger itself will convert the grid current into direct current. It shortens the conversion process by transmitting the DC to the battery pack rather than the onboard power converter.
DC chargers connect to the battery management systems directly. Their rapid recharging speed is the top reason they have grown in popularity.
How fast is the DC Charger for EVs?
Some factors will affect how quickly an EV recharges. Some factors affecting an EV’s overall charging time include the charging station’s power output and the battery’s SOC (state-of-charge) now, size or capacity, and temperature levels. Research shows that the best DC fast chargers can do the job in under an hour.
It can allow the EVs to receive at least eighty percent of the charge within this interval. Others can take an hour to one hour and thirty minutes to charge your EV. Still, some DC fast chargers can take much longer, depending on how reliable your battery is. Here is more to help you understand the charging times further:
- Hign-range – DC charger with a high-range power? It is a DC rapid charger providing up to 350 kilowatts. You can charge your EV within fifteen to twenty minutes with one of these.
- Mid-range – DC fast charger with a mid-range output? This type can generate between 100 and 150 kilowatts. Hence, it can charge your EV in thirty to sixty minutes. In short, it can raise the battery charge from 20 to 80 percent in about an hour or less.
- Low-range – The DC fast chargers in the low-range output level are the slowest. They can only produce fifty kilowatts in about sixty to ninety minutes. Thus, these are ideal for standard electric vehicle users who can wait for their autos to recharge.
Businesses that own fleet vehicles need DC fast chargers to avoid experiencing low productivity during downtimes.
Types of EV DC Fast Charging Systems
Only three EV charging connector types are available in North America now. You need to understand how they work and differ from one another. Read more about these chargers below:
Tesla Supercharger
You cannot miss the Tesla Supercharger. This is so because before other electric vehicle manufacturers emerged, there was Tesla. The company has over one thousand and six hundred proprietary EV chargers in North America. It has also elected them in other countries across the world. These rapid chargers allow long-distance motorists to charge their Tesla EVs from anywhere they are. Tesla has also placed rapid charging superchargers in cities and towns to aid short-distance drivers working within urban areas. Tesla Supercharger works for models like the Tesla Model X, Tesla Model S, and Tesla Model 3. Only Tesla EVs can use the Supercharger. However, Tesla vehicles have an adapter that allows car owners to use the CSS and CHAdeMO DC fast chargers.
CHAdeMO
Another of the three popular DC fast chargers for EVs is CHAdeMO. It is the CHAdeMO Association’s brainchild. As some of you might know, the Japanese CHAdeMo Association checks how compatible the charger and the car are before offering certification. It operates closely with electric vehicle manufacturers, gathering members from many countries. Some vehicle models using the CHAdeMO DC fast charger include the Kia Soul EV, Nissan LEAF, and Nissan LEAF Plus.
Combined Charging System
A combined Charging System (CCS) uses the single-phase and three-phase AC with the DC rapid charging. The CCS is largely accessible in the USA and Europe. The combined charging infrastructure has a connector, an inlet, and control functions. No wonder many vehicles can use it reliably, including the BMW i3, Audi e-tron, Honda Clarity EV, Hyundai Kona EV, Chevrolet Bolt, Kia Niro EV, Jaguar I-PACE, etc. Tesla vehicles can use the CCS charger via an adapter.
Benefits of DC Fast Charging
Here are the advantages of DC fast chargers:
Direct Current Delivery
A fast DC charger delivers battery power in the correct form. This is unlike the AC charger that first converts alternating current into DC. The DC fast charger converts the current within its system rather than the onboard converter.
Produces Higher Kilowatts
Some DC fast chargers can deliver 350 kilowatts in less than thirty minutes. On the other hand, the AC Level 1 and 2 chargers generate a power output range of 3.7 to 22 kilowatts. Their outputs are lower than what the lowest-range DC fast chargers can produce in slightly over one hour.
Rapid Charging Without Overheating
A fast DC charger comes equipped with components that prevent overheating. It recharges an electric car battery in minutes without heating excessively. Hence, they operate with minimal downtime, allowing you to continue your trip. These fast chargers work with modern battery management systems to prevent overheating. No wonder these charging stations will hardly lower the life expectancy of your EV battery.
DC Fast Chargers and Impact on Battery Life
Does regular use of DC fast charger affect battery life? To some extent, and that’s why it is advisable to avoid using a DC rapid charger regularly in hot climates. This is so because rapid charging still heats up more than any AC charging station. Using it often in hot areas can escalate thermal stress, even with cooling components in place.
It might gradually ruin the battery and lower its life. Still, the impact is low due to the advancing battery technology and battery management systems. Moreover, those who use their EVs less often might not notice any battery power loss. If you need DC and AC charging stations interchangeably, you can use the fast charger without impacting battery life.
For businesses managing electric vehicle fleets, commercial EV chargers equipped with smart energy management systems can help optimize battery performance by balancing charging speeds. These chargers ensure fleet vehicles are ready for operation without compromising long-term battery health.
Final Word
What is a DC fast charger, and is this the future of electric vehicles? DC fast charging units have increased in popularity these days. As more people buy EVs, these rapid battery rechargers will become unavoidable in the years ahead. These chargers facilitate fleet management and allow long-distance drivers to save time.
They can cover longer distances with little or no downtime, thanks to DC fast chargers. These high-quality chargers will likely become more efficient later, reducing the charging times further. Furthermore, these chargers will likely use renewable energy sources to limit environmental pollution and global warming.