How is AC power used in electric vehicles?
1 Answer
As of my last update in September 2021, most electric vehicles (EVs) do not directly use AC power as their primary energy source for propulsion. Instead, they rely on DC (direct current) power from the vehicle's battery pack. Here's how AC power fits into the overall electric vehicle charging process:
AC Power Source: The electric grid supplies alternating current (AC) power to charging stations and wall outlets. AC power is readily available in homes and businesses, making it convenient for charging electric vehicles.
Onboard Charger: Electric vehicles are equipped with an onboard charger, which is responsible for converting the incoming AC power from the charging station or wall outlet into DC power suitable for charging the vehicle's battery. The onboard charger's function is similar to the charger you might use for your mobile phone or laptop.
AC Charging: When you plug in your electric vehicle to a standard charging station or a home wall outlet, the onboard charger converts the AC power to DC power, which is then used to charge the vehicle's battery pack. The charging rate and time may vary depending on the vehicle's charging capabilities and the power rating of the charging station.
DC Fast Charging: While AC charging is the most common method for overnight charging or when you have more time, many modern electric vehicles also support DC fast charging. DC fast chargers directly provide DC power to the vehicle, bypassing the onboard charger. This allows for much faster charging rates, making it feasible to charge the vehicle to a significant level in a short amount of time.
In summary, while AC power is involved in the charging process of electric vehicles, it's converted to DC power by the onboard charger before being stored in the vehicle's battery pack. As technology continues to advance, there might be changes and improvements to the charging infrastructure and the way electric vehicles use and interact with the power grid.
AC Power Source: The electric grid supplies alternating current (AC) power to charging stations and wall outlets. AC power is readily available in homes and businesses, making it convenient for charging electric vehicles.
Onboard Charger: Electric vehicles are equipped with an onboard charger, which is responsible for converting the incoming AC power from the charging station or wall outlet into DC power suitable for charging the vehicle's battery. The onboard charger's function is similar to the charger you might use for your mobile phone or laptop.
AC Charging: When you plug in your electric vehicle to a standard charging station or a home wall outlet, the onboard charger converts the AC power to DC power, which is then used to charge the vehicle's battery pack. The charging rate and time may vary depending on the vehicle's charging capabilities and the power rating of the charging station.
DC Fast Charging: While AC charging is the most common method for overnight charging or when you have more time, many modern electric vehicles also support DC fast charging. DC fast chargers directly provide DC power to the vehicle, bypassing the onboard charger. This allows for much faster charging rates, making it feasible to charge the vehicle to a significant level in a short amount of time.
In summary, while AC power is involved in the charging process of electric vehicles, it's converted to DC power by the onboard charger before being stored in the vehicle's battery pack. As technology continues to advance, there might be changes and improvements to the charging infrastructure and the way electric vehicles use and interact with the power grid.