The EV revolution is reshaping the commercial landscape, from office parks and retail hubs to highway rest stops and fleet depots. As more businesses embrace electrification, choosing the right type of charging station—AC or DC—has become a key strategic decision. The right choice ensures efficiency, user satisfaction, and long-term scalability; the wrong one can lead to operational bottlenecks and unnecessary costs.
So how do you make the right call? Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Understand Your Scenario and User Profile
Before diving into power levels and features, start with the basics: who will be charging and for how long?
1. Workplace and Fleet Charging
In corporate campuses or fleet depots, vehicles often remain parked for several hours or overnight. In such cases, reliability, cost-efficiency, and smart scheduling matter most.
In such scenarios, AC chargers are often ideal, as they provide a full charge over a longer dwell time (e.g., during an 8-hour workday or overnight) without the need for rapid replenishment.
2. Destination and Public Charging
At shopping centers, hotels, or restaurants, drivers stay for 1–3 hours. You’ll want a balance between charging speed and investment cost. High-power AC or mid-range DC chargers can deliver a meaningful top-up within a short visit, enhancing customer satisfaction and dwell time.
3. Highway and High-Traffic Hubs
For highway rest areas and transit corridors, charging speed is critical. Drivers expect fast turnarounds. Here, DC fast chargers built for continuous operation in demanding environments.
Step 2: AC vs DC — Understanding the Technology
The main difference lies in where AC power is converted into DC to charge the vehicle’s battery.
(Image Source: Open Access Government)
AC Charging Stations
- Supply alternating current (AC) to the car, which then converts it to DC via the onboard converter.
- Generally rated from 7 kW to 22 kW.
- Lower installation and hardware costs.
- Ideal for locations with long parking durations or predictable usage.
- Example: Injet Swift 2.0 supports Plug & Charge, RFID access, and dynamic power sharing for up to 10 units—perfect for commercial parking and workplaces.
DC Charging Stations
- Convert AC to DC within the charger itself, then feed it directly to the vehicle battery.
- Delivers much faster charging speeds—often 150 kW and beyond.
- Higher upfront investment but enables rapid turnover and revenue generation.
- Example: i-Ampax 480 provides 120–480 kW flexible output with dynamic power sharing 40-80kW, future-proofing your investment.
Step 3: Evaluate Power Output and Scalability
Your charger’s power rating directly affects charging time and operational capacity.
For most commercial sites, a mix of AC and DC chargers is optimal:
- Install AC chargers for employees, residents, or long-term parking.
- Add DC fast chargers for visitors and high-traffic demand.
Both Injet Swift 2.0 and i-Ampax 480 are designed with scalability in mind—Swift 2.0 enables load balancing across 10 units, while i-Ampax 480 allows future upgrades by simply adding modules instead of replacing the system.
Step 4: Smart Features and Connectivity
Today’s EV chargers are more than power devices—they’re digital assets.
Look for:
- OCPP compliance (1.6 or 2.0.1) for backend integration and future compatibility.
- Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) to optimize available energy across multiple chargers.
- App & Cloud Control for real-time monitoring and billing.
- PV Surplus Charging, a standout feature of Injet Swift 2.0, to maximize solar energy usage.
- Programmable Power Controller (PPC)—exclusive to i-Ampax 480—which simplifies internal logic and enhances reliability.
These smart capabilities ensure efficiency, safety, and seamless user management, reducing total cost of ownership over time.
Step 5: Reliability, Certification, and Service
Commercial sites demand durability and global compliance.
When evaluating products, consider:
- Build quality: IP54+ weatherproofing, and tempered glass panels.
- Certifications: CE, RoHS, MID/PTB, and regional metering standards.
- Maintenance & Support: Modular components for quick repair, remote diagnostics, and OTA updates.
Both Injet models meet stringent international certifications and are backed by global service support—ensuring your charging infrastructure stays online, 24/7.
Conclusion: Build a Future-Ready Charging Network
Choosing between AC and DC isn’t about one being “better”—it’s about finding the right balance for your site’s needs.
- For long-duration, cost-efficient, and smart workplace or destination charging, Such as Injet Swift 2.0 offers flexibility and refined user experience.
- For rapid, high-volume commercial use, Such as i-Ampax 480 provides unmatched scalability, power, and reliability.
Together, they form a complete ecosystem that helps businesses future-proof their charging strategy.
At Injet New Energy, we go beyond charging products — we deliver integrated energy solutions built for the future. From smart AC and DC chargers to Large-scale energy storage systems and Microgrid capabilities, every innovation we create is designed to make charging faster, smarter, and more reliable.
Contact the Injet team today to explore your commercial EV charging solutions.