11/26/2025
With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, manufacturers are continuously exploring ways to cut costs, boost performance, and enhance the user experience. Recently, the idea of removing the on-board charger (OBC) has gained traction as a strategic move to improve charging speeds, lower production costs, and align with the expanding fast-charging infrastructure. As a supplier of EV charging equipment, nexwayev is dedicated to delivering high-quality chargers that support multiple charging standards, supporting the industry’s ongoing evolution.
An on-board charger (OBC) is a key component in electric vehicles, responsible for converting external alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) to charge the vehicle's battery. The power rating of the OBC determines charging efficiency when using AC charging points—such as home chargers or public slow-charging stations. For instance, a 6.6kW OBC can deliver around 30A at 220V, while an 11kW OBC enables faster charging but requires a charging station that supports higher voltage or current levels.
Core functions of the OBC include:
1. Lower Vehicle Costs
The OBC typically makes up 1–2% of the vehicle's Bill of Materials (BOM). Removing it can significantly reduce hardware costs. It also frees up valuable interior space (around 5–10 liters), which can be repurposed for expanding battery capacity or other features.
2. Aligning with Market Trends: Larger Batteries and Fast Charging
Today's EV batteries commonly range between 60–100 kWh, and users increasingly rely on DC fast charging (e.g., superchargers). In this context, a low-power OBC can become a bottleneck. Looking ahead, with the adoption of 800V high-voltage platforms and batteries exceeding 150 kWh, dependence on slow charging will diminish. Removing the OBC becomes a logical step in optimizing cost structures.
3. Boosting the DC Fast Charging Ecosystem
Eliminating the OBC allows manufacturers to focus more on advancing DC fast charging capabilities—such as supporting 800V architecture or 400kW ultra-fast charging. This shift will accelerate the rollout of public charging networks, particularly DC fast charging stations. Moreover, combining OBC-free designs with battery-swapping models (like those from NIO and Aulton) can further cut down charging times for users.
Nexway's Support Role: As a leading EV charging equipment supplier, nexwayev offers chargers compatible with various DC and AC charging protocols (including IEC 62196 and GB/T). This makes nexwayev an ideal partner for automakers and charging infrastructure developers, helping advance the DC fast charging ecosystem.
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4. Alignment with State Grid Preferences
The State Grid favors stable three-phase AC power (380V) over single-phase AC (220V), as the latter can lead to three-phase imbalance. By removing the OBC and relying more on DC fast charging, EVs can utilize more stable three-phase power inputs, better meeting grid operational requirements.
1. User Acceptance and Charging Scenarios
A major challenge lies in user acceptance. Many households already have AC charging stations installed—especially BYD owners, who often receive free home charger installations. Removing the OBC would make these existing AC stations incompatible, requiring new solutions and infrastructure support.
2. Technical Hurdles
BMS Complexity: Without an OBC, the Battery Management System must take on a greater role in managing charging parameters like temperature, current, and voltage. This demands more precise control to prevent overcharging and ensure battery longevity.
Charging Protocol Compatibility: Older community grids or third-party charging stations may not support newer DC fast charging protocols. Automakers will need to work closely with grid operators to improve compatibility.
3. Supply Chain and Infrastructure Coordination
Phasing out the OBC could strain existing charging infrastructure. If more automakers adopt this approach, the public charging network will need to shift more rapidly toward DC fast charging. At the same time, the adoption of low-power DC fast charging for home use (e.g., 20kW units) must accelerate to meet changing consumer needs.
Removing the OBC is an inevitable step in optimizing EV costs, but it should be implemented based on market needs and usage scenarios. For the home segment, a combination of OBC removal + smaller battery packs (e.g., 30–50 kWh) + battery swapping could lower the entry barrier—but this depends on the availability of battery swap networks or compact home DC charging stations.
In the coming years, we can expect AC charging stations and low-power DC chargers to coexist, with public infrastructure increasingly focused on DC fast and ultra-fast charging. Government policy, grid infrastructure upgrades, and industry collaboration will be essential in this transition.
As a supplier, Nexway provides charging connectors and solutions that support various DC fast charging and AC charging protocols (such as IEC, SAE J1772 , NACS and GB/T), helping to drive charging infrastructure upgrades and EV adoption. As charging technology and infrastructure continue to evolve, the EV charging experience will become more convenient and efficient—paving the way for broader acceptance of electric vehicles.
The following are our popular EV charging products that you may be interested in. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, and our specialists will answer within 24 hours.
