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

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

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

This complete guide is your company's compass in the world of vehicle charging stations. In plain language, with concrete examples drawn from fleet life, 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 fits your company's needs and the way your company vehicles are used.

The heart of fleet charging: alternating current (AC) vs. direct current (DC)

Before getting into the specifics, your company needs to understand the fundamental distinction that governs electric vehicle charging: the type of current. This difference determines the charging power, the speed, and even where your future charging stations will be installed, on your sites or for your employees.

AC (alternating current) charging stations: everyday charging, smart and accessible

AC charging stations deliver alternating current (the same as your household supply). That current then has to be converted into direct current before it can be stored in your vehicle's battery. This job falls to your EV's onboard charger. This is a crucial point: the charging power from an AC charging station will always be limited by the capacity of that onboard charger.

Typical power and what it means:

• 3.7 kW (single-phase, 16A): often the power of a reinforced socket such as Green'Up. Ideal for plug-in hybrids or for slow overnight charging of an EV.

• 7.4 kW (single-phase, 32A): the most common power for single-phase home charging stations. A full night is usually enough to fully charge most EVs.

• 11 kW (three-phase, 16A): requires a three-phase charging station installation. Common for businesses, apartment buildings, or homes with a suitable electricity contract.

• 22 kW (three-phase, 32A): the maximum AC power for many public and business charging stations. Note: not all EVs can accept 22 kW AC; many are limited to 11 kW, or even 7.4 kW, by their onboard charger.

Two calculations are enough to estimate the range you recover. The energy delivered equals the power multiplied by the charging time. The range recovered equals that energy divided by the vehicle's consumption, in kWh per 100 km. One hour of charging at 7.4 kW therefore delivers at most 7.4 kWh. The power that counts is the lower of the two: the charging station's or the onboard charger's.

Charging speed:

Rated slow to medium, AC charging is ideal whenever the electric vehicle is parked for a long time:

• Overnight at the company depot or at employees' homes: electric vehicles are plugged in when they return from a job, and they are charged and ready the next morning for a new working day.

• At work, in the company parking lot: vehicles charge during office hours, which keeps them available.

• In public parking lots, at customers' premises, or other long-stay parking: top-up charging during business activities or appointments.

Cost and installation:

• Charging stations: generally more affordable to buy.

• Installation: less complex and therefore less expensive, especially at 3.7 or 7.4 kW. The 11 kW and 22 kW models may require changes to your electrical panel and a higher-capacity electricity contract.

• Compactness: AC charging stations are often smaller and more discreet.

Recommended strategic use:

The AC charging station is the go-to solution for charging at the workplace (depot, company parking lot, branches) and potentially at the homes of employees who have an electric company car. It preserves the life of fleet 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.

• Household sockets (Schuko, type E/F): for very slow charging (often limited to 2.3 kW, i.e., 10A) with an occasional charging cable (câble de recharge occasionnelle, CRO). Best seen as a backup solution.

• Reinforced sockets (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 different power levels (e.g., single-phase CEE17 16A for 3.7 kW, three-phase 16A for 11 kW).

DC (direct current) charging stations: high power for long trips and urgent operational needs

DC charging stations are revolutionizing fast charging for business fleets. They supply direct current straight to the electric vehicle's battery, bypassing the onboard charger. It is as if the charging station contained a huge external charger. This makes much higher charging power possible and drastically cuts vehicle downtime, a major issue for a fleet's operational efficiency.

Typical power and segments:

• "Fast" charging stations (up to 50 kW): historically the first fast-charging tier. The time it takes to recover about 80% of range depends on the station's power, the battery size and the EV's charging curve.

• "Very fast" charging stations (50 to 150 kW): the current standard on many networks. A 150 kW station only delivers its full power to vehicles that can accept it.

• "Ultra-fast" charging stations (over 150, up to 350 or even 400 kW and more): the new generation, designed for electric vehicles with large batteries that can accept such power. The goal: get close to the time it takes to fill up a gasoline tank. A 350 kW station only delivers its full power to a vehicle designed to take it (e.g., 800V architecture).

Charging speed:

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

• Recover enough range in a short stop to get back on the road. Ten minutes at 150 kW deliver at most 25 kWh; divide that energy by the vehicle's consumption to get the range gained.

• Charge up to 80% of the battery, in a time that depends on the station's power and the battery size. Charging slows down as the battery fills up: according to Tesla France's support page, reaching 100% generally takes much longer than reaching 80%.

DC cost and infrastructure for businesses:

• Charging stations: significantly more expensive to buy and maintain because of their advanced technology (power electronics, cooling systems). A significant investment for the company.

• Installation: complex and costly, requiring high-power electrical connections and often dedicated transformers on the company site.

• Location: mainly at highway service areas, along major roads, at dedicated service stations, and in some strategic shopping center parking lots. They can also be considered for logistics hubs or company sites with heavy fleet activity.

• Size: bulkier than AC charging stations, requiring more installation space on site.

Recommended strategic use:

DC charging stations are essential for fleets that cover long distances (employees' vacations in company cars, intercity business trips, freight transport), where short stops are needed to keep going. They are also useful for occasional fast top-ups of fleet vehicles in town when time is short. To get the full benefit of these power levels, the company must check the maximum DC charging power each electric vehicle in its fleet can accept.

Common connectors in Europe:

• CCS Combo (Combined Charging System): the European standard for fast and ultra-fast DC charging. It combines a Type 2 plug with two extra pins for direct current. The EU's AFIR regulation requires at least this connector, known as "Combo 2", on DC charging points.

• CHAdeMO: a standard of Japanese origin, still found on some vehicles (e.g., older-generation Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi). It is gradually being replaced by CCS in Europe.

• Tesla Supercharger: Tesla's proprietary network. In Europe, Superchargers used a modified Type 2 connector for DC. According to Tesla France's support page, only some sites are open to other EVs, and only to CCS-compatible vehicles. The Tesla app shows which ones.

Comparison table: AC vs. DC, which charging station should you choose?

Criterion	AC charging stations (normal to accelerated charging)	DC charging stations (fast to ultra-fast charging)
Type of current delivered	Alternating (AC)	Direct (DC)
Current conversion	AC → DC by the EV's onboard charger	DC sent directly to the battery
Typical power	3.7 kW to 22 kW	25 kW to 400 kW (or more)
Charging speed	Slow to medium (several hours)	Fast to ultra-fast (depending on the station's power and the battery size)
Role of the EV's charger	Limited by the capacity of the EV's charger	Independent of the EV's onboard charger
Installation cost	Lower	Much higher
Charging station cost	More affordable	Significantly more expensive
Charging station size	Compact	Bulky
Main use	Charging at home, at work, long-stay parking	Charging on highways, long trips, urgent needs
Connectors (Europe)	Type 2, household socket, CEE socket	CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla Supercharger (with CCS)
Impact on the battery	Generally gentler on the battery	Frequent use can (slightly) speed up wear if poorly managed by the EV's BMS

How do you choose the charging station that fits the real needs of your company and your fleet?

The choice is not just "AC or DC?" but an analysis of your fleet's habits and operational needs:

Your fleet's usage profile:

• Mainly daily use? Do your vehicles make short urban trips, run local rounds, or carry employees between sites? → An AC charging station on the company site or at the depot (7.4 kW or 11 kW) is often ideal and the most economical option for your organization.

• Frequent long trips? Do your employees or service vehicles regularly travel several hundred kilometers? → Access to a fast/ultra-fast DC charging network is crucial. Your fleet vehicles must also be able to accept these power levels.

• No way to charge centrally on company sites? → Your fleet will depend on public AC charging stations, and on DC stations for faster but more expensive charging. Home charging solutions for employees can be considered.

Your fleet vehicles:

• 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 most of its vehicles only take 7.4 kW or 11 kW.)

• What is the maximum DC charging power accepted by the batteries of your fleet vehicles? (Are your company vehicles compatible with ultra-fast charging at 150 kW or 350 kW?)

Your budget and the electrical installation at your sites:

• What budget can the company allocate to buying and installing charging stations?

• Can the current electrical installation at your business premises handle 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 long, economical charging that is gentle on the batteries of company vehicles (overnight at the depot, during the working day in the company parking lot). The initial investment for the company is moderate. They form the foundation of the charging ecosystem for most business fleets.

• Fast and ultra-fast DC charging stations: your fleet's wild cards for long distances and operational emergencies. Essential for your company vehicles to travel far and fast. More expensive to use, and requiring compatible vehicles in the fleet, they offer unmatched flexibility for the company's high-mileage drivers. Ultra-fast stations (up to 400 kW and beyond) redefine what a "quick fill-up" means, making fleet EVs even more versatile for demanding missions.

The future of charging for companies and their fleets is smart and diverse. It is not about pitting AC against DC, but about understanding how they complement each other for a smooth, hassle-free electric fleet. By analyzing the specific needs of your company and its vehicles, you can invest wisely and take full advantage of electric mobility in your operations.