Advantages and Challenges of AC EV Charger Stations

With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the increasing focus on sustainable transportation, efficient charging infrastructure is essential. AC EV chargers provide car owners with a convenient charging solution.

Among various charging methods,AC EV Charger is a promising solution for balancing charging speed and infrastructure costs. This blog will discuss the advantages, policies, and challenges of AC charging stations.

Advantages of AC EV chargers

1. Cost-effective solution

AC EV charging stations have significant cost-effectiveness advantages. Compared with DC chargers, their installation, maintenance, and fast-charging infrastructure costs are low, and the equipment is simple, which can reduce overall costs.

In a survey in Germany, statistics on the construction costs of charging stations in 100 parking lots of different sizes showed that the average construction cost of AC charging stations is about 40% lower than that of DC charging stations, and the annual maintenance cost can also be saved by about 30%.

2. Compatible infrastructure

AC EV charging stations are highly compatible and convenient, They take advantage of the widespread distribution of AC power and easily integrate into existing buildings, parking lots, and public places, simplifying the installation process and accelerating the deployment process.

In some old block renovation projects in Paris, France, the installation success rate of AC charging stations is over 95%, while the installation success rate of DC charging stations is only about 60% due to their high power facility requirements.

3. Efficient charging time

In some cities' bus charging stations, AC EV chargers are used to charge buses during the night when electricity prices are low. This can not only meet the daytime operating needs of buses but also effectively reduce charging costs and improve operating efficiency.

Using an AC charger, charging time is about 24 hours, for example, a Tesla Model 3 can be charged from 30% to 100% in 1 to 2.5 hours. There is also a WiFi connection and a smartphone app to monitor and control the charging process.

4. Safe and versatile, widely distributed and convenient.

With advanced safety functions and multiple protection devices, it complies with strict industry standards, and can effectively reduce electrical hazards, allowing car owners to charge with peace of mind. Its application scenarios are wide, from personal daily use to parking lots, residential areas, commercial areas, public infrastructure, etc.

For example, the parking lot of Huangshan Scenic Area in China is equipped with more than 50 AC charging stations, which can provide charging services for hundreds of electric vehicles every day during the peak tourist season, effectively solving the tourists' range anxiety.

AC EV charging policies and subsidies.

For example, Austria's electric mobility promotion plan (BMK) in 2024. A total of 114.5 million euros will be provided in 2024, including increased subsidies for new energy vehicles and charging facilities.

. Individuals will receive a subsidy of up to €5,000 for purchasing an electric car.

. For private charging infrastructure, individuals can receive a subsidy of €600 for installing a charging wall box or charging post.

. Shared charging facilities in multi-unit buildings can receive a subsidy of up to €1,800.

. Public charging infrastructure can receive a subsidy of up to €30,000.

In addition, through the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) and other national funds, Austria has raised a total of 365 million euros in grants to promote zero-emission commercial vehicles and related infrastructure.

For charging wall boxes /floor mounts accessible to the public:

. 11 - 22kW AC: 2,500 EUR

. DC up to 100kW: 15,000 EUR

Charging wall box /floor mount not open to the public:

. 11 - 22kW AC: 900 EUR

. 50kW DC: 4,000 EUR

. 50 - 100kW DC: 10,000 EUR

In Norway, in order to encourage the construction of AC charging stations, the government subsidizes up to 50% of the construction cost for public AC charging stations, while the subsidy rate for DC charging stations is 30%, which makes AC charging stations popular in Norway faster.

Challenges and Future of AC EV Charging Stations

1. Deep integration with smart grids

AC charging stations are deeply integrated with smart grids, with two-way charging and discharging functions, realizing two-way interaction. During low periods, the electric vehicle transmits power back to the grid to help it balance the load and improve stability and efficiency.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, more than 3,000 AC charging stations have been connected to the smart grid, which can save about 5% of the electricity costs for the grid each year by shaving peak loads and filling valleys. Car owners can also earn an average of about 300 euros per year.

2. Alleviate the grid's reliance on

intelligent dispatching for grid interaction and systems, and control charging power according to load. In distributed power sources, solar and wind energy need to be coordinated with energy storage, and the cost of fuel cells needs to be reduced.

In some remote towns in Australia, local AC charging stations are combined with solar power generation systems to achieve more than 70% electricity self-sufficiency in seasons with sufficient sunshine, greatly reducing dependence on long-distance power transmission.

3.Technological innovation

Battery technology improvement is the key to the development of AC chargers, which requires coordinated adaptation, and the development of dedicated protocols and modes based on new features to improve efficiency and extend life.

For example, a new brand of lithium battery is used in electric vehicles. When used with an adapted AC pile, the charging efficiency is increased by about 15%, and the battery cycle life is extended by about 20%.

The popularization of EVs drives the rapid growth of charging stations. Despite challenges, it has a bright future thanks to its merits, policies, and market chances.

Nanjing AEAUTO, a professional maker, advances the charging sector with excellent tech and quality products, building a network to boost the EV industry.