Why AC Chargers Are the Right Choice for EV Charging

While electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, the biggest question on the minds of buyers as well as owners is what type of charging is best for their vehicle. In most practical applications, AC charging is the way to go because it is cost-effective, battery-friendly, and relatively simple to implement.

For homes, offices, businesses, and even public parking lots, AC charging is the way to go because it is the best combination of cost-effectiveness, practicality, and long-term usability. This is why AC charging continues to be at the heart of EV charging in India.

What Is an AC Charger?

An AC charger will provide the car with alternating current. The on-board charger will then change the current into direct current for the battery. This means that AC charging will be slower than DC fast charging, but easier and cheaper.

What does it mean for you?

In reality, AC chargers are those chargers that most users will be using when the car is parked for some hours, for example, at home or at work.

A simple way to understand it

AC charging functions like a meal, while DC charging operates as an energy boost. AC charging requires more time to complete than DC charging, yet consumers find it more accessible and less expensive.

Why AC Chargers Win for Most Users

Less installation cost

AC chargers require much simpler installation infrastructure compared to DC fast chargers. This is a major advantage.

For example, this is important to residential buildings, offices, campuses, hotels, parking areas, and fleet stations that wish to add charging stations to their properties without the hassle and cost of complex installation.

Best suited for daily usage

Most electric vehicle owners do not require fast charging every single day. They require a charger that is reliable and will recharge their vehicle while it is parked and stationary for several hours. This is where AC chargers are best suited.

Savekar’s 7.4 kW AC charger is specifically suited to this purpose. It is an ideal solution for daily usage, especially for residential, retail, and business purposes.

Less stressful on the battery

If you charge your battery quickly over and over again, it will wear out faster. This is why charging with AC is better for the battery.

Many electric car owners like to charge their cars every day with an AC charger and save fast charging for long trips on the road.

Universal everyday fit

AC charging has been found to be effective for a broad range of EVs, especially when charging over a night or when using a destination charger. India’s charging infrastructure also has a high presence of AC charging.

This means that many sites will have more AC charging points than a single expensive fast charger.

Where AC Chargers Make the Most Sense

Home charging

Home charging is perhaps the most obvious use case for AC charging, as the vehicle is unused for long periods of time, perhaps while the owner is sleeping. This means the owner can wake up with a ready battery without the need to use a public charging station.

Workplace charging

Workplaces are another promising use case for AC charging, as people tend to stay at work for long periods of time. This means they can use their vehicle for AC charging while at work.

This is perhaps best utilized by workplaces that want to offer EV charging as an employee perk without the need for costly fast charging.

Retail and destination charging

Retail destinations, restaurants, hotels, and mixed-use developments have long periods of time available for charging. A customer may need a quick boost while parked for 1 to 4 hours.

Commercial property and parking assets

For commercial property, AC chargers are likely to be the most attractive starting point, as they are more scalable, simpler to maintain, and more cost-effective to monetize.

Savekar’s solution is particularly relevant to this category, as it integrates charging hardware with WhatsApp and a UPI-based experience, built specifically for the Indian audience.

AC Charging Explained Through Indian Use Cases

The benefits of AC charging can be better understood by taking examples from real life, where they have to be used in India. Let's look at some instances below that will help clarify how AC charging is the ideal choice in many such situations.

1. Residential areas opting for multiple AC charge points rather than a single costly DC

In the case of residential communities, there might be around 15-30 people who own electric cars out of the total number of residents, but then, there is a budget and power supply limit. In such a scenario, instead of spending on a costly DC charger, which could service only one electric vehicle at once, a community can use multiple AC chargers installed throughout the area in different parking lots.

2. Companies providing AC charging as part of employee welfare services

For companies interested in encouraging the use of electric cars among their employees, there is no need for highway-standard fast charging systems. All that the company needs is for some charging stations to be installed in the basement or parking lot of the building that will charge the employees' vehicles during the workday.

3. Hotels & destination properties that use AC + WhatsApp + UPI

AC charging works most effectively in hotels and resorts and destination properties. Guests who plan to stay for long periods at these locations should find this charging system most convenient. The AC charger enables guests to charge their vehicles through WhatsApp and UPI because they can start and track their charging process using their phones without needing to download extra applications.

AC vs DC at a Glance

Rapid Decision Framework: Is AC the Solution for Your Needs?

When it is difficult to determine if AC is appropriate, it can be resolved by answering a few basic queries.

• Do vehicles typically park at your facility for durations exceeding 1-2 hours per session?
• Do you wish to enable convenience-based charging, rather than rapid recharging?
• Do you require low-cost installations and easier electrical modifications?
  • Are you managing private homes, housing societies, office complexes, hotels, commercial establishments, and campus parking lots, and not highway rest stops?

For most “yes” responses, AC charging may be the appropriate standard option for your facility. DC fast charging could then be used selectively in instances of critical necessity, for example, on highways and fleet depots.

India’s EV Charging Reality Supports AC

Public charging stations have grown significantly in India, with the country now having 29,151 EV charging stations, out of which 20,346 are slow charging stations and 8,805 fast charging stations, according to PIB reporting.

It is evident that this is based on a very simple market reality: AC chargers are cost-effective and easier to deploy, and they are appropriate for the majority of charging requirements.

The coverage of the industry is another important point to understand, and it is evident that AC chargers have a large share.

The Relationship Between AC Charging and India’s Future with EVs

India’s public charging stations have been favoring AC and slower charging from the very beginning, and there is a method behind that madness. It is simply easier to set up AC charging systems in the densest part of cities, to adapt to building infrastructure, and to be less burdensome on the grid in general.

With an increase in electric vehicles on the streets of India, a large-scale and even distribution of AC charging stations in households, residential societies, offices, shopping centers, colleges, universities, and parking areas. It would allow for sufficient power consumption from these points without overstressing any transformer points or overhauling the entire electrical grid structure. DC fast charging will still be essential for the highway system, but AC will continue to reign supreme in regular charging stations.

Why Businesses Should Care

The assumption is always that faster is better, but this is not always true for charging points where vehicles are parked for hours at a time. In these types of applications, AC charging can provide better utilization, lower installation costs, and better compatibility.

This is true for campus, work, retail, hotel, and society parking applications, where long dwell times are expected, thereby making AC charging viable.

The EV charging ecosystem proposed by Savekar is relevant in this context because of the focus on Indian implementation, charging costs, and monetization through the use of WhatsApp + UPI.

This makes AC charging not only viable but easier from a business perspective as well.

“Looking to deploy reliable AC charging at your property? Explore Savekar’s AC charger range and B2B charging solutions built for India.”

Economics of AC Charging for Parking Owners

From an economic point of view, what matters to a parking owner is not just the answer to "which charger is faster?" But rather, which solution provides better ROI for parking spaces and power availability? The answer will most likely be AC.

Take a simple illustration, where installing one DC fast charger may easily cost as much as installing multiple AC chargers, including the cost of installation and power upgrades. By the same amount of money spent, parking operators will be able to offer more options for charging to the customers, since instead of installing one fast charger, they can install multiple regular ones in various spots around the parking bay. Several customers can then charge their cars at the same time, whereas previously it would be only one car using it.

Operational costs in the case of AC chargers are also expected to be lower since they have lower power loads, thus making it easier to maintain the charger and not overload the transformer and wiring in a building. This solution is ideal for any household, office building, or other locations where cars are parked for long periods of time.

Why AC Chargers Are Better for Battery Longevity

Fast charging may be necessary in emergency conditions when the user has limited time. However, fast charging may cause more stress on the battery.

AC chargers are slower and more consistent in their performance. Therefore, this makes AC the more popular option for daily use.

For the sake of simplicity, the following approach may be applied: AC for regular use and DC for emergency use. This approach ensures the balance between the user's need for fast charging and the health of the battery.

Why AC Charging is Better for Indian Batteries

The climate in India is such that it makes driving difficult, thus making it difficult to recharge the batteries of the electric vehicle. The combination of hot weather conditions and jerky driving, as well as short-distance driving during the day, made it difficult for the battery to recharge quickly.

The batteries experience rapid damage because their cells malfunction after multiple DC charger fast charging sessions, which result in battery overheating. However, AC chargers provide an ideal solution since they charge the battery slowly and reduce any heating effect. The ideal combination would be to use AC chargers to top off batteries in case of emergency and long journeys on highways, while charging regularly using AC chargers.

Your Perfect Charging Strategy: AC as the Norm and DC as a Backup

The most straightforward strategy for EV charging can be summarized as AC being your norm, while DC acts as your emergency backup. The typical driver of an electric vehicle requires no more than standard home charging facilities because they can recharge their car completely before leaving their home or office.

The following demonstrates a successful strategic approach:

• Always utilize AC charging for your vehicle at your house during nighttime or while you are at work during the daytime.
• Always utilize AC destination charging for your vehicle at shopping malls, hotels, or parking lots while you are spending considerable time parked there.
• Utilize DC fast charging only if you are traveling far away on the road or in case of any delays.

This strategy is both cost-effective and ensures that you do not have to spend a lot of money or stress your battery unnecessarily.

Why Savekar Fits This Use Case

Savekar has the advantage of catering to the AC charging segment because they feature useful AC products, such as 7.4kW AC chargers, in their product catalog.

Savekar claims to be an EV charging network for B2B businesses with a simple India-first flow for charging. This makes them more suitable for parking owners and businesses.

If your audience is considering AC chargers for an actual project, Savekar can be presented as the company that makes AC charging both intelligible and economically viable.

AC Charger Deployment Strategy for Companies (Based on Savekar)

If you own a facility or parking spot, the issue becomes not only “AC or DC,” but also “how should I deploy my AC chargers practically and without much hassle?” Here is the step-by-step guide based on the AC-centric deployment strategy:

Step 1: Locate your slow parking spots

Locate those parking spots where cars usually tend to park for longer periods of time. For instance, resident parking, parking basements of offices, employee parking, guest parking at hotels, mall parking, movie theater parking, etc., are the most suitable places for installing AC chargers as they align with the requirement of slow charging.

Step 2: Define your initial capacity

Rather than opting for a single unit of a more costly fast charger, opt for a ratio of AC chargers that fits well with the number of available parking spots. For example, a society can choose to start with 4–6 AC chargers for 40–50 parking slots. Similarly, an office can opt to start with a few AC chargers to cater to its EV-friendly staff members.

Step 3: Maintain user experience without the app using WhatsApp + UPI

The India-first approach of Savekar allows customers to begin, manage, and pay for charging using WhatsApp and UPI. No need to use an app just for one location. From the business perspective, no need for support calls. They get the same visibility for usage and sales as an app.

Step 4: Consider adding DC only if really necessary

If you have installed your AC chargers and they are operating well, then think about adding DC fast chargers. There is no need for DC fast chargers in many cases, but you can add one if there is a need for a particular property, such as on highways with short stops.

When AC May Not Be Enough

AC charging is the right choice for most common situations, but there are cases when AC is not enough. For highway corridors, long-distance travel stops, and cars that need to charge very quickly, like those that go very long distances, DC fast charging is needed.

A smart charging plan uses AC power for everyday needs and DC power for quick charging when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes AC chargers a good choice for electric vehicles?

The AC chargers provide entry-level pricing together with straightforward installation work, which makes them suitable for electric vehicles. The AC chargers function optimally when used to charge vehicles that stay parked for multiple hours.

2. Is charging with AC better for the battery?

The AC charging method provides better battery protection than fast charging because it avoids battery strain and prevents battery overheating.

3. How long does it take to charge with AC?

The AC charging process delivers battery charging at a slower rate than fast charging does. The AC charging method operates most effectively when it charges batteries during extended periods, which include both short parking times and entire nighttime periods.

4. Where are AC chargers most suitable?

AC chargers are most suitable for deployment at homes, workplaces, retail locations, hotels, campuses, parking locations, etc., where dwell time is long.

5. Are AC chargers cost-effective compared to DC chargers?

Yes. AC chargers are cost-effective compared to DC fast chargers, as their deployment cost is relatively lower compared to fast charging technology.

6. Why are AC chargers preferred for deployment at business locations?

AC chargers are preferred for deployment at business locations as they are cost-effective and easier to deploy compared to fast charging technology.

Postscript: Technical Deep Dive

How AC charging works (the technicalities)

The chargers provide alternating current from the electricity grid to the car. Then the car’s inbuilt charger transforms this alternating current into direct current before supplying it to the batteries. The efficiency of the AC charge, thus, depends on both the power rating of the charger, say 7.4 kW, and the power output of the onboard charger in the car, which ranges between 3.3 kW and 7.4 kW in several popular electric cars sold in India today. This makes AC charging a suitable choice for overnight and workplace charging.

Why are AC chargers more affordable to install and maintain

Since AC chargers do not require high-power direct current components inside, their internal electronic system is simpler and generates less heat. This results in relatively lower costs of installing them, since they are cheaper to manufacture, and lower maintenance, as they are less likely to require parts replacement due to excessive heat generation.

Technological differences of DC fast charging

While AC fast chargers draw AC current and convert it to DC at the battery level, DC fast chargers convert the AC current to DC at the charger terminal and send the DC current to the batteries. The DC chargers use more powerful electronics, as well as cooling and safety devices; they tend to be heavier, noisier, and more costly than AC fast chargers. The use of DC fast charging also means that you need better connectivity with the power grid.

Charging power and connectors: important specifications in India

As for AC charging, 3.3–7.4 kW is the standard capacity for passenger electric vehicles in India under one-phase charging. Three-phase power supply enables the operation of more powerful AC chargers in India. DC fast chargers. However, generally have much higher capacity, starting at 30 kW, with up to 60 kW or more for four-wheeler charging corridors and heavy vehicles. This helps to charge the vehicle quickly, but it is more costly and poses additional challenges for the grid and battery.

Technical lesson learned

Technically speaking, AC charging is more justified if the vehicle can remain stationary for a sufficiently long duration to enable the process to occur steadily. Although DC fast charging is a great technology, it would be an exception and can only be utilized in cases where the main limiting factor is time, along with the availability of electrical infrastructure for such purposes. The overwhelming majority of Indian households, societies, businesses, and other establishments would benefit from using AC charging first.