Why a 7 kW home wallbox and a 60 kW public charger behave so differently — and how to decide which one your site actually needs.
Every EV battery stores direct current (DC), but the grid supplies alternating current (AC). The difference between AC and DC chargers is simply where that conversion happens — and that decides how fast, how expensive and how complex the charger is.
An AC charger passes grid power to the car, and the vehicle's own on-board charger (OBC) converts it to DC. Because the OBC is limited in size, AC charging typically ranges from about 3.6 kW to 22 kW. In the UAE the most common home unit is a 7 kW single-phase wallbox, which fills a typical battery overnight in roughly 6–10 hours.
A DC charger contains the conversion hardware itself and feeds the battery directly, bypassing the OBC. That is why DC chargers can deliver 30 kW to 350 kW and add a large amount of range in under an hour. They need a much larger power supply, heavier cabling and active cooling.
| Feature | 7 kW AC | 22 kW AC | DC fast (30–150 kW+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply | Single-phase | Three-phase | Dedicated high-capacity supply |
| Typical 0–100% | 6–10 hours | 3–5 hours* | 20–80% in ~20–60 minutes |
| Connector (UAE) | Type 2 | Type 2 | CCS2 (some GB/T) |
| Best for | Homes and villas | Workplaces, hotels, fleets | Highways, hubs, quick turnaround |
*Only if the vehicle's on-board charger accepts 22 kW. Many cars are limited to 7–11 kW on AC, so a 22 kW unit will not charge them any faster.
"22 kW" is usually an AC rating, not DC. When comparing quotes, check whether a charger is AC or DC and what your vehicles can actually accept — the slowest link in the chain sets the speed.
Choosing between AC and DC for a commercial site is ultimately about dwell time, power availability and demand. See how EV Shield plans charger mixes for different locations.
If you are looking for the most recommended EV home charger in Kerala, the Zignova 11 Eco wallbox charger sets the benchmark. Engineered for climate resilience, safety, and smart charging, the Zignova 11 Eco delivers reliable, fast AC charging for every electric car on Indian roads.
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