Types of electric vehicle charging stations: which charging station should you choose? 

The exciting adventure of sustainable mobility is opening up for your company and your fleet, but one crucial question still holds back many managers and future users of electric vehicles (EVs) for business purposes: how and where can EVs be charged efficiently? 

This comprehensive guide is your company's compass in the world of vehicle charging stations. Together, we will break down the fundamental differences between each type of charging station, their impact on your daily operations, and how to choose THE solution that is perfectly suited to your company's needs and the way you use your commercial vehicles, using simple language and concrete examples tailored to the fleet context. 

 

The Heart of Charging for Your Fleet: Alternating Current (AC) vs. Direct Current (DC)

Before addressing the specifics, it is essential for your company to understand the fundamental distinction that governs the world of electric vehicle charging: the type of current. It is this difference that determines the charging power, speed, and even the location of your future charging stations on site or for your employees.

AC (Alternating Current) Charging Stations: Everyday Charging, Smart and Accessible

AC (alternating current) charging stations deliver alternating current (the same as your home power supply). This current must then be converted into direct current  in order to be stored in your vehicle's battery. This task is performed by your electric vehicle's onboard charger. This is a crucial point: the charging power via an AC charging station will always be limited by the capacity of this internal charger.

Typical Power and Implications:

• 3.7 kW (single-phase, 16A): Often the power rating of a reinforced Green'Up-type outlet. Ideal for plug-in hybrids or for slow overnight charging of an EV. Expect to recover approximately 15-20 km of range per hour.
• 7.4 kW (single-phase, 32A): The most common power rating for single-phase residential charging stations. Provides approximately 35-40 km of range per hour. A full night's charging is usually enough to fully charge most EVs.
• 11 kW (three-phase, 16A): Requires the installation of a three-phase charging station. Common for businesses, condominiums, or homes with a suitable subscription. Recovers approximately 60-65 km per hour.
• 22 kW (three-phase, 32A): The maximum AC power for many public and professional charging stations. Provides up to 120-130 km of range per hour. Please note: not all EVs can accept 22 kW AC; many are limited to 11 kW or even 7.4 kW by their onboard charger.

Reload Speed:

Described as slow to medium, AC charging is ideal for times when the electric vehicle is stationary for a long period of time: 

• At night at the company depot or at employees' homes: Electric vehicles are plugged in when returning from a job, so they are ready and charged the next morning for a new day of work.
• At work, in the company car park: Allows vehicles to be recharged during office hours, ensuring their availability.
• In public parking lots, at customers' premises, or other places where vehicles are parked for long periods: Top-up charging during business activities or appointments.

Cost and Installation:

• Charging stations: Generally more affordable to purchase.
• Installation: Less complex and therefore less expensive, especially for 3.7 or 7.4 kW models. The 11 kW and 22 kW models may require modifications to your electrical panel and a more powerful subscription.
• Compactness: AC charging stations are often smaller and more discreet.

Recommended use for strategic purposes:

The AC charging station is the ideal solution for charging at work (depots, company parking lots, branches) and potentially at the homes of employees who have an electric company car. It preserves the longevity of fleet vehicle batteries thanks to less “stressful” charging and optimizes the company's energy costs (off-peak hours, smart charging management).

Common connectors in Europe:

• Type 2: The essential European standard for AC charging. Virtually all EVs and public AC charging stations in Europe use it.
• Domestic outlets (Schuko, type E/F): For very slow charging (often limited to 2.3 kW, or 10A) with an occasional charging cable (CRO). To be considered as a temporary solution.
• Reinforced outlets (Green'Up type): Allow safe charging up to 3.7 kW (16A) with a suitable cable.
• CEE industrial sockets (CEE17): Can be used with specific mobile chargers for variable power ratings (e.g., CEE17 single-phase 16A for 3.7 kW, three-phase 16A for 11 kW).

 

DC (Direct Current) Charging Stations: High Power for Long Journeys and Urgent Operational Needs

DC charging stations are revolutionizing fast charging for commercial fleets. They supply direct current (DC) directly to the electric vehicle's battery, bypassing the onboard charger. It's as if the charging station incorporates a huge external charger. This allows for much higher charging power, drastically reducing vehicle downtime, which is a major issue for fleet operational efficiency.

Typical Power and Segmentation:

• “Fast” charging stations (up to 50 kW): Historically the first threshold for fast charging. These allow you to recover around 80% of your range in 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the size of the battery and the EV's charging curve.
• “Very fast” charging stations (50 to 150 kW): The current standard on many networks. A 150 kW charging station can restore 100 km of range in about 10 minutes and 80% of the battery in 20 to 40 minutes for compatible vehicles.
• “Ultra-fast” charging stations (over 150, up to 350, or even 400 kW and above): The new generation, designed for electric vehicles with large batteries capable of accepting such power. The goal is to get closer to the refueling time for a full tank of gas. A 350 kW charging station can add 200 km of range in less than 10 minutes on an optimized electric vehicle (e.g., 800V architecture).

Reload Speed:

Fast to ultra-fast. The goal is to minimize downtime, typically to:

• Recover 100 to 200 km of range in 10-20 minutes.
• Recharge up to 80% of the battery in 20 to 30 minutes (above 80%, the charging speed decreases significantly to protect the battery).

Cost and DC Infrastructure for Businesses:

• Terminals: Significantly more expensive to purchase and maintain due to their advanced technology (power electronics, cooling systems). Represents a significant investment for the company.
• Installation: Complex and costly, requiring high-power electrical connections and often dedicated transformers on the company's premises.
• Location: Mainly at highway rest stops, major roads, dedicated gas stations, and certain parking lots at strategic shopping centers. Can also be considered at logistics hubs or company sites with high fleet activity.
• Size: Larger than AC charging stations, requiring more installation space on site.

Recommended use for strategic purposes:

DC charging stations are essential for fleets that travel long distances (employee vacations with company vehicles, intercity business trips, freight transport) where short stops are necessary to continue the journey. They are also useful for occasional fast charging needs for fleet vehicles in the city when time is short. It is crucial for the company to check the maximum DC charging capacity accepted by each electric vehicle in its fleet in order to take full advantage of these power ratings.

Common connectors in Europe:

• CCS (Combined Charging System) combo: The European standard for fast and ultra-fast DC charging. It combines a Type 2 plug with two additional pins for direct current. Most new EVs in Europe are equipped with CCS.
• CHAdeMO: Japanese standard, still used on some vehicles (e.g., older generation Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi). Tending to be replaced by CCS in Europe.
• Tesla Supercharger: Tesla's proprietary network. In Europe, Superchargers used a modified Type 2 connector for DC. More and more new Supercharger stations are equipped with CCS connectors and are (partially) open to other brands.

 

Comparison Table: AC vs. DC – Which terminal should you choose?

 

How to Choose the Right Terminal for the Actual Needs of Your Business and Your Fleet?

The choice is not simply a matter of “AC or DC?”, but rather an analysis of your fleet's operational habits and needs:

Your fleet's usage profile:

• Main daily use? Do your vehicles travel short distances in urban areas, are they used for local deliveries, or to transport employees between sites? → An AC charging station on company premises or at the depot (7.4 kW or 11 kW) is often ideal and the most economical solution for your organization.
• Frequent long journeys? Do your employees or service vehicles regularly travel several hundred kilometers? → Access to a fast/ultra-fast DC charging network is crucial. The vehicles in your fleet must also be able to accept these power levels.
• No possibility of centralized charging at company sites? → Your fleet will depend on public AC charging stations and DC charging stations for faster but more expensive charging. Charging solutions for employees at home can be considered.

The vehicles in your fleet:

• What is the maximum AC charging power accepted by the onboard charger of each EV model in your fleet? (There is no point in the company installing a 22 kW AC charging station if the majority of its vehicles only accept 7.4 kW or 11 kW).
• What is the maximum DC charging power accepted by the battery of the vehicles in your fleet? (Are your company's vehicles compatible with ultra-fast charging at 150 kW, 350 kW?)

Your budget and the electrical installation at your sites:

• What budget can the company allocate for the purchase and installation of charging stations?
• Can the current electrical installation in your business premises support the desired power (especially for AC charging in the company parking lot)?

 

In Summary: The Optimal Charging Strategy for Your Company Fleet

• AC charging stations: Your fleet's everyday ally. Ideal for extended, economical, and battery-friendly charging (of company vehicles) (overnight at the depot, during the workday in the company parking lot). The initial investment for the company is moderate. They form the basis of the charging ecosystem for most professional fleets.
• Fast and Ultra-Fast DC Charging Stations: Your Fleet's Wild Cards for Long Distances and Operational Emergencies. Essential for your commercial vehicles to travel far and fast. More expensive to use and requiring compatible vehicles within the fleet, they offer unmatched flexibility for the company's “high-mileage drivers.” Ultra-fast stations (up to 400 kW and above) redefine the concept of “fast charging,” making fleet EVs even more versatile for demanding missions. Here again, there are different mounting options designed for installation on public roads, highways, or logistics bases.

The future of charging for businesses and their fleets is smart and diverse. It's not about choosing between AC and DC, but understanding how they complement each other for a smooth and hassle-free electric fleet management experience. By analyzing the specific needs of your business and its vehicles, you can invest wisely and take full advantage of the benefits of electric mobility for your operations.