Jul 18, 2025
Designing Mixed Charger Sites: A Practical Guide for Property Developers
Priya T
Picture this: A resident parks their EV overnight in your apartment complex and expects it to be fully charged by morning. Meanwhile, a visitor arrives for a quick meeting and wants a 30-minute top-up before hitting the road again. Both scenarios are common—and both require different types of charging solutions.
This is where the choice between an AC and DC charger comes in. For property developers, the question isn’t just “AC vs DC chargers?” but “How do we design a mixed site that works for everyone?”
Understanding which is better between an AC and DC Charger
Think of AC chargers as a slow cooker—steady, reliable, and perfect when you have time. DC chargers, on the other hand, are like a microwave oven—fast and powerful, but consuming more resources. Both are valuable, depending on the situation.
AC Chargers (Alternating Current)
Power range: 3.3 kW – 22 kW
Best for: Apartments, villas, workplaces
Charging speed: 4–8 hours
Ideal for overnight or long-stay parking
DC Chargers (Direct Current)
Power range: 30 kW – 120+ kW
Best for: Highways, malls, fleets
Charging speed: 30–90 minutes
Designed for quick turnaround needs
For developers, AC chargers meet residents’ daily convenience, while DC chargers provide fast service for guests and fleets.
When to Use AC vs DC Chargers
AC makes sense when…
Residents or employees park for long hours.
The aim is affordability and scalability.
DC makes sense when…
Visitors need a fast top-up.
Fleets operate on tight schedules.
Your property is on a highway or transit corridor.
Guiding question for developers: How long do vehicles usually stay parked at my site?
Designing Mixed Charger Sites
Mixed charger sites are about balance. Here’s how to plan them:
Layout Planning
Separate bays for AC (long-stay) and DC (short-stay) charging.
Clear signage to guide users.
Load Management
Use Dynamic Load Management (DLM) to distribute power smartly.
Avoid costly transformer upgrades while still supporting growth.
Scalability
Begin with 20% EV-ready parking, as most state rules suggest.
Install conduits and cabling now so expansion later is easy.
Case Example:
A premium housing society in Bengaluru installed 80% AC chargers for residents and a few DC fast chargers for visitors and delivery fleets. This ensured convenience without overwhelming the electrical load.
Costs and ROI
AC chargers: Lower upfront cost, great for scale.
DC chargers: Higher cost but essential for high-turnover needs.
Blended model: Gives flexibility, reduces downtime, and satisfies diverse user needs.
For developers, mixed setups offer the best return—covering both long-term residents and transient demand.
Conclusion
For developers, the question isn’t just “Which charger is better?” but “Which mix of chargers fits my property?”
By combining AC and DC chargers, builders can deliver:
Convenience for residents
Speed for guests and fleets
Future-ready compliance with government mandates
The right blend ensures your property is not only EV-ready today but remains competitive tomorrow.