Comparison and development trends of AC PLC European standard charging piles and ordinary CCS2 charging piles

Comparison and development trends of AC PLC European standard charging piles and ordinary CCS2 charging piles

What is an AC PLC charging pile?
AC PLC (alternating current PLC) communication is a communication technology used in AC charging piles that uses power lines as a communication medium to transmit digital signals. AC PLC charging piles, on the other hand, utilize PLC communication technology. Generally, these charging piles are used in countries and regions outside of China that adhere to the CCS charging standard. European-standard AC PLC charging piles and standard CCS2 charging piles are two major charging solutions, each with distinct characteristics and application scenarios. This article will provide a detailed comparison of these two types of charging piles in terms of intelligence, functionality and applications, market demand, and technological development, and explore the future development trends of AC PLC charging piles.

1. Level of Intelligence

The standard European CCS2 AC charging point primarily provides basic charging functionality, relying on the on-board charger (OBC) to control the charging process. It exhibits a relatively low level of intelligence and typically lacks advanced smart control and communication capabilities. In contrast, AC PLC charging points achieve higher-level intelligent control through Power Line Communication (PLC) technology. For instance, it supports demand response, remote control, and smart charging within smart grids. Furthermore, it can integrate with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve more intelligent system control and management. PLC communication technology enables efficient data transmission between charging points and vehicles, supporting the development of smart grids. Through PLC communication, cloud-based control platforms can implement energy management and optimise charging strategies, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.

2. Functionality and Applications

The standard European AC charging point primarily fulfils basic charging requirements with relatively limited functionality. The AC PLC charging point, however, offers enhanced capabilities, such as: – Mitigating overcharging risks through data exchange with the vehicle. – Supporting advanced charging features including ISO 15118 PNC (plug-and-charge) and V2G (vehicle-to-grid bidirectional power transfer). – Enabling full lifecycle management of the charging process, including handshake protocols, initiating charging, monitoring charging status, billing, and concluding the charge.

3. Market Demand

Due to their high technical maturity, low cost, and ease of installation, Euro-standard conventional AC charging points command over 85% market share in Europe and America. However, with the advancement of smart grid and new energy vehicle technologies, conventional AC charging points now face demands for intelligent retrofitting and upgrading. AC PLC charging points, as an application trend within smart charging infrastructure, have gained traction in CCS-standardised countries and regions. They enhance charging station operational efficiency and user experience without requiring additional grid capacity, attracting increasing attention and procurement from CCS-standardised operators and distributors. 4. Technological Advancements

4. Technological Development

AC PLC charging piles combine low power consumption, high-speed data transmission, and time synchronization. They support the ISO 15118 international standard and are compatible with ISO 15118-2/20. This means they can support advanced charging features such as demand response, remote control, and future PNC (Personalized Charging) for smart charging and V2G (Vehicle-to-Gear) for smart grids. They can also be combined with other smart charging technologies to advance EV charging towards greater efficiency, safety, and convenience, all of which are unattainable with standard CCS charging piles.