A comprehensive review on charger technologies, types, and charging stations models for electric vehicles

• Published in: Heliyon
• Main Authors: V.N. Saraswathi, Vijaya Priya Ramachandran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2024-10-01
• Subjects: Charging station; Electric vehicle; Energy storage systems; Grid-to-vehicle; Off-board charger; On-board charger
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024149766

Electric vehicles (EVs) are popular now due to zero carbon emissions. Hence, with the advancement of EVs, charging station (CS) design also plays a vital role. CS is generally called a charge or power supply point and delivers power to the EVs. Usually, CSs are either of the direct current (DC) type, as the EVs need a DC supply or in some cases of the alternating current (AC) type, as the traditional power grid delivers AC power. Usually, on-board chargers (on-BCs) and off-board chargers (off-BCs) are used to charge the EV batteries. Due to heavy loads, size, and budget constraints, many on-BC facilities have power limits, which can be overcome by designing the on-BC with an electrical motor. In different types of off- and on-BCs, the power flow can be in one or two directions. Uni-directional power flow reduces hardware needs and makes connecting problems easier, whereas bi-directional power flow allows battery energy to be injected back into the grid. The primary issue with EVs is the charging time as well as the need for charging infrastructure. The infrastructure for fast charging makes on-board energy storage less expensive and more essential. This paper details various charging technologies, including wired and wireless methods. Also, numerous on-board and off-board charging topologies are summarized in the literature. Different EV battery charging standards and levels are also discussed. The paper also delineates several alternative CS topologies based on architecture, energy storage, and renewable energy sources. Considering the present scenario, having a sophisticated quick EV charging network is crucial to ensure maximum EV charging with renewable power and reduce grid strain.