The difference between an On Board Battery Charger and a DC fast charger lies primarily in their charging capabilities, speed, and application within the EV charging infrastructure.
On Board Battery Chargers are primarily utilized for level 1 and level 2 charging, which typically involves charging the EV from a standard household outlet or a dedicated charging station using AC power. These chargers are integrated into the vehicle itself and are designed to convert AC power from the grid into DC power suitable for charging the EV’s battery. However, the charging speed of On Board Battery Chargers is comparatively slower than DC fast chargers.
In contrast, DC fast chargers are specifically designed for level 3 charging, also known as fast charging or rapid charging. These chargers are capable of delivering DC power directly to the EV’s battery at a much higher rate than On Board Battery Chargers. DC fast chargers bypass the vehicle’s On Board Battery Chargers altogether, directly supplying DC power to the battery, which significantly reduces charging times.
Another key difference is the infrastructure required for each type of charger. On Board Battery Chargers rely on standard AC power outlets or dedicated charging stations, which are prevalent in homes, workplaces, and public parking areas. DC fast chargers, on the other hand, require specialized charging infrastructure with high-power DC connections, typically found at dedicated fast charging stations along highways or major travel routes.