For electric vehicle owners, the impact of charging stations on electric vehicles is as important as it is for traditional fuel-powered cars. The user experience of charging stations directly affects the overall car experience.

Currently, the main types of charging stations for new energy vehicles on the market are DC charging stations and AC charging stations. There are significant differences in technical parameters such as current and voltage. The most noticeable difference is power: a pure electric vehicle can be fully charged using a DC charging station in just 1 to 2 hours, while an AC charging station requires 8 to 10 hours.

Why is the charging efficiency of AC charging stations low yet they account for a large proportion?

Firstly, due to the low technical barriers, the manufacturing cost of AC charging stations is relatively low. Secondly, DC charging stations must be matched with three-phase 380V power supply, which requires separate approval from the power department, whereas AC charging stations only need single-phase 220V, which can be supported by ordinary household electricity. Compared to the need to coordinate land and grid resources for building DC charging stations, the investment and construction constraints for AC charging stations are much smaller.

Due to their low cost and fast installation, during the competitive "land-grabbing" phase, many companies invested in building a large number of low-power AC charging stations to quickly capture the market, resulting in AC charging stations being widely available.

However, for new energy vehicle owners, their preference for AC charging stations is far less than their proportion. According to the "White Paper on Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior" released by the China Charging Alliance in early December last year, over 99% of owners prefer to use DC fast charging for their new energy vehicles, while less than 1% choose AC charging stations.

If DC charging stations are the trend, why do I say that AC charging stations cannot be phased out?

Firstly, currently, charging stations are mainly built in concentrated areas, and the power advantage of DC stations is self-evident. In the future, with the prevalence of private charging stations, which are cheaper and easier to install, AC charging stations are clearly more suitable for private owners.

 It is estimated that by 2025, the proportion of slow charging output will exceed 70%. Achieving this target largely depends on the construction of private charging stations. Due to the constraints of community parking spaces and grid capacity, the construction of private stations is currently progressing slowly. However, with the inclusion of charging stations in new infrastructure construction and the introduction of relevant national policies, the construction of private stations may experience explosive growth. At that time, AC charging stations will be more affordable and easier to install.

Secondly, AC charging stations are better at load balancing, having a smaller impact on the power grid. DC stations have high power and fast charging, which puts a greater strain on the grid. If new energy vehicle owners use high-power DC stations for charging, the grid's burden can be imagined. On the other hand, if you have AC charging stations, you don't need to go out of your way to find a station to charge. Charging during off-peak hours after work not only reduces the grid's burden but also allows you to take advantage of time-of-use electricity rates to lower charging costs.

Lastly, AC charging stations are friendlier to batteries, helping to extend their lifespan. While every battery produced by a reputable manufacturer undergoes professional testing to ensure its normal lifespan, experts still recommend that new energy vehicle owners prioritize slow charging when conditions permit, especially if they have doubts about their vehicle's battery management system.