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Glossary · Mobility

AC charging (Level 1/2)

Charging an electric vehicle from alternating-current supply, with the vehicle's on-board charger converting AC to DC; typically 1.4–22 kW.

In AC charging, the charging station (EVSE) supplies grid alternating current and handles safety signalling, while the conversion to DC happens inside the car's on-board charger (OBC). Charging power is therefore limited by the weaker of the supply, the cable and the OBC rating; many cars accept 7.4 or 11 kW AC, fewer 22 kW.

Single-phase: P = V x I (230 V x 32 A ≈ 7.4 kW)
Three-phase: P = √3 x V_LL x I (√3 x 400 V x 16 A ≈ 11 kW; 32 A ≈ 22 kW)
US Level 2: 240 V x 48 A ≈ 11.5 kW
Charge time (h) ≈ energy needed (kWh) / (P x ~0.9 efficiency)
  • Level 1 (North America): 120 V household socket, 1.4–1.9 kW, adding about 6–8 km of range per hour
  • Level 2: 208–240 V, 3.7–19.2 kW in North America; in Europe, single- or three-phase up to 22 kW (Mode 3, Type 2 connector)

Connectors: Type 1 (J1772) and NACS/SAE J3400 in North America, Type 2 (IEC 62196) in Europe, GB/T in China. AC charging losses are typically 10–15% at low power, falling at higher currents.

Most EV charging, roughly 70–80% of energy in markets with high home-parking availability, happens via AC at home or work, overnight or during the workday. This makes it well suited to smart charging that shifts demand to off-peak or high-solar hours, and to demand response.

Related terms

All terms →
  • DC fast charging

    High-power EV charging in which an off-board charger delivers direct current straight to the battery, typically 50–400 kW and above.

  • Battery electric vehicle (BEV)

    A vehicle propelled solely by electric motors powered from an on-board rechargeable battery, with no internal combustion engine.

  • Vehicle-to-grid (V2G)

    Bidirectional charging that lets a parked electric vehicle export battery energy to the grid, providing storage and grid services.

  • Demand response

    Changes in electricity consumption by end users, in response to price signals or operator requests, to balance the grid.

  • Power vs energy (kW vs kWh)

    Power (kW) is the rate of energy flow at an instant; energy (kWh) is power accumulated over time. Capacity is measured in power, output in energy.