What's best for your business?
Are you thinking about installing an EV charging system in your place of business? Workplace charging, fleet depots, hotels and commercial properties, public fast-charging corridors—more and more businesses are considering electrification. And there are many things to consider, starting with your choice between AC charging and DC fast charging. The right choice for your business depends on factors such as parking duration, infrastructure, and budget.
AC versus DC: What's the difference?
AC chargers are far less expensive than DC charging products. During AC charging, the electric vehicle's on-board charging system converts AC power to DC, and this process is slower (best for overnight charging) than DC.
DC chargers, however, convert AC grid power to DC power externally before it reaches the vehicle, sending power directly to the battery for a much faster charge. The tradeoff is the expense of DC charging units.
Charging Costs
AC Level 2 chargers, such as Soneil Spark's AC45 and AC80 amp commercial chargers, are two to three times less expensive per kWh than DC fast charging. For a passenger EV, a full charge on Spark's AC commercial chargers costs about $7–$11.50, versus $21–$30 at a DC charging station. That's a considerable savings.
Installation Costs
Installation savings are even higher: Installing an AC unit is 10 to 50 times less expensive than installing a DC unit. A commercial AC port costs between $3,500 to $15,000, whereas a DC port can cost from $50,000 to $350,000 due to complex grid requirements—requirements not needed for AC installation.
For fleet owners able to charge their EVs overnight, commercial AC charging provides a considerably higher return on investment—AC charging takes about six to nine hours for passenger cars, or 12 hours for trucks, without straining the electrical grid and requiring expensive and time consuming electrical upgrades.
Incentives
Soneil Spark commercial AC chargers qualify for key grants such as ZEVIP (covering up to $5,000 per charging port) and ChargeON (covering from 25-75 percent for commercial sites). These and other grants—which Soneil Spark staff can assist customers in securing—can greatly offset the cost of electrifying your business or fleet.
For businesses with long parking durations, such as fleet depots, workplaces, and hotels, AC Level 2 charging delivers a great balance of cost, scalability, and infrastructure requirements. We can help you learn more about our products or securing grants for your business. Contact us at XXX
Grants
- ZEVIP: Up to $5k/port (50% cost-share) for fleets. Learn more
- EVAP: $5k/EV for businesses. Learn more
- ChargeON (ON): 25-75% commercial.
Charger Types
- AC Level 2 (7–22 kW): Onboard conversion, overnight/depot use.
- DC Fast (50–350 kW): External conversion, direct battery charge, rapid turnaround.
Charging Speed by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle Type | Battery | AC Time (11 kW) | DC Time (150 kW, 80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger EV | 60–80 kWh | 6–9 hrs | 20–35 min |
| Fleet Truck | 116 kWh | 12 hrs | 35–45 min |
Costs for Passenger EVs
| Amount | AC Home Cost | AC Public Cost | DC Fast Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kWh full | $7–$11.50 ($0.12–$0.192/kWh) | $12–$21 ($0.20–$0.35) | $21–$30 ($0.35–$0.50) |
Costs for Trucks
| Amount | AC Cost | DC Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 50 kWh | $9.60 ($0.192) | $22.90 ($0.458) |
| 116 kWh full | $22.27 | $53 |
AC 2–3x cheaper; DC adds demand fees for commercial.
AC Level 2 Costs
- Equipment: $500–$10,000/port (commercial-grade, networked).
- Installation (labor, wiring, permits): $3,000–$10,000/port; simpler sites $3k–$5k.
- Total per port: $3,500–$15,000 (multi-port discounts apply).
- Factors: Panel upgrades ($1.5k–$3k), trenching ($1k+).
DC Fast Costs
- Equipment: $10k–$200k/port (50–350 kW).
- Installation (3-phase, transformer): $20k–$100k+; includes utility upgrades.
- Total per port: $50k–$350k+ (avg. $75k–$150k for 50–150 kW).
- Factors: Transformer ($20k–$50k), grid connection delays.
AC vs. DC: Commercial Comparison
| Aspect | AC Level 2 (Commercial) | DC Fast (Commercial) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost/Port | $3.5k–$15k | $50k–$350k |
| Power Needs | 240V single-phase | 480V 3-phase + transformer |
| Site Prep | Basic wiring/panel | Extensive utility |
| Scalability | Easy, low disruption | High upfront, grid strain |