A charge equalization apparatus comprising: - a plurality of transformers (T1-TN) having primary windings (M11-M1N) and secondary windings (M21-M2N) wound around respective cores, the second windings being connected in parallel with each other; - a plurality of battery cells (B1-BN) connected in series with each other, the battery cells (B1-BN) being connected in parallel with the primary windings (M11-M1N) of the transformers (T1-TN); - a plurality of first switches (S1-SN) respectively connected in series with the primary windings (M11-M1N) of the transformers and adapted to control flow of current of the primary windings (M11-M1N) in a first direction or a second direction; - a voltage sensing and switch drive signal generation unit configured to sense voltages of the plurality of battery cells (B1-BN), thus turning on/off the plurality of first switches (S1-SN), wherein the charge equalization apparatus is operated such that, when one or more of the first switches (S1-SN) are turned on, current flows into one or more primary windings (M11-M1N) connected to the turned-on first switches (S1-SN) in the first direction, so that current is induced in the second windings (M21-M2N), and current is induced in the primary windings (M11-M1N) because of the current induced in the secondary windings (M21-M2N), thus enabling equalized charge to be distributed to the plurality of battery cells (B1-BN), characterized in that it further comprises: - charging means (B0, C) being a battery or a capacitor, connected in parallel with the parallel-connected secondary windings, - a first diode interposed between first ends of the parallel-connected secondary windings and the charging means, and adapted to provide flow of current from the secondary windings to the charging means, a second transformer having a primary winding connected to the charging means and a secondary winding connected to the series-connected battery cells; - a second switch connected in series with the primary winding of the second transformer; and - a second diode interposed between the secondary winding of the second transformer and the battery cells. - a plurality of transformers (T1-TN) having primary windings (M11-M1N) and secondary windings (M21-M2N) wound around respective cores, the second windings being connected in parallel with each other; - a plurality of battery cells (B1-BN) connected in series with each other, the battery cells (B1-BN) being connected in parallel with the primary windings (M11-M1N) of the transformers (T1-TN); - a plurality of first switches (S1-SN) respectively connected in series with the primary windings (M11-M1N) of the transformers and adapted to control flow of current of the primary windings (M11-M1N) in a first direction or a second direction; - a voltage sensing and switch drive signal generation unit configured to sense voltages of the plurality of battery cells (B1-BN), thus turning on/off the plurality of first switches (S1-SN), - charging means (B0, C) being a battery or a capacitor, connected in parallel with the parallel-connected secondary windings, - a first diode interposed between first ends of the parallel-connected secondary windings and the charging means, and adapted to provide flow of current from the secondary windings to the charging means, a second transformer having a primary winding connected to the charging means and a secondary winding connected to the series-connected battery cells; - a second switch connected in series with the primary winding of the second transformer; and - a second diode interposed between the secondary winding of the second transformer and the battery cells.