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What is an On-Board Charger (OBC) in Electric Vehicles?

riyo@panasonic
What is an On-Board Charger (OBC) in Electric Vehicles?

— Panasonic’s High-Efficiency AC/DC Conversion System for Faster EV Charging —

As electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) become increasingly common, the demand for faster and more efficient battery charging grows. At the heart of this process is the On-Board Charger (OBC) — a critical system that converts AC power from charging stations into DC power suitable for vehicle batteries.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of OBCs, their system architecture, and the Panasonic components that enable high-performance, compact, and reliable charging solutions.

Electric plug What Does an On-Board Charger (OBC) Do?

An OBC is a power conversion system installed in EVs and PHEVs. It transforms AC power from residential or public charging stations into DC power required by the vehicle’s battery. Most OBCs operate in the 3.6kW to 22kW range, depending on regional standards and vehicle specifications.

Zap Types of EV Charging

・Normal charging
In normal charging, the battery is charged to full. The battery of an EV is charged with AC voltage from a private residents' charging equipment or a public charging station. Generally, charging the battery fully takes about eight hours. In the case of normal charging, the OBC incorporated in the vehicle converts AC voltage into DC voltage applicable to the vehicle battery.

・Quick charging
Quick charging is charging to refill the battery in a short time. In quick charging, the charging station supplies DC voltage corresponding to the battery voltage, charging up the vehicle battery in a short time by quickly feeding the battery with large power. Quick charging, in general, takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to finish, depending on the battery capacity. You will find those chargers for EVs in a lot of expressway rest areas, commercial establishments, etc.

Charging Type Power Source Location OBC Usage Charging Time Purpose
Normal Charging AC (200V/400V) Home, Office Converts AC to DC ~8 hours Full battery charge
Fast Charging DC (direct output) Highways, Commercial Facilities Not used ~30–60 minutes Quick top-up
Normal charging relies on the OBC to convert AC to DC, while fast charging bypasses the OBC by supplying DC directly to the battery.

Battery Battery Capacity & OBC Output

Battery capacity varies by vehicle type (compact, SUV, sports car). OBC output is designed to fully charge the battery within approximately 8 hours, with regional variations in specifications.

Chart with upwards trend Market Trends & Component Requirements

As EV adoption accelerates, OBCs must evolve to support:
  • Higher output power
  • Faster charging times
  • Smaller battery sizes
To meet these demands, electronic components must offer:
  • High voltage tolerance
  • Large current capacity
  • Low power loss
  • High heat resistance
  • Compact design

OBC System Architecture

The OBC system consists of multiple circuits:
  1. Voltage Measurement (Input/Output) – Controls conversion accuracy using high-precision chip resistors.
  2. Noise Filters (Input/Output) – Suppress external and internal noise using automotive-grade film capacitors.
  3. Full-Wave Rectifier & PFC Circuit – Converts AC to DC and improves efficiency using capacitors and inductors.
  4. Voltage Conversion Circuit – Uses transformers and switching elements with noise-suppressing resistors.
  5. DC/DC Converter – Powers control circuits using hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors and power inductors.
  6. Communication Interface – Protects transceiver ICs from ESD using chip varistors.

Overall configuration of the OBS system

Wrench Panasonic Components for OBC Systems

Panasonic offers a wide range of components optimized for OBC applications:
Component Features High Voltage High Current Low Loss Compact Heat Resistant High Precision
Hybrid Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors Low ESR, High Reliability Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark
Automotive Power Inductors High Current, Low Loss Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark
High-Precision & High-Power Chip Resistors High Accuracy, Heat Resistance Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark Heavy check mark
Chip Varistors Compact, Lightweight Heavy check mark
Automotive Film Capacitors High Reliability Heavy check mark Heavy check mark

These components are designed to meet the evolving needs of EV charging systems, ensuring safety, efficiency, and scalability.

Shopping cart Explore Panasonic’s OBC Solutions

Panasonic’s advanced electronic components are engineered to support the next generation of EVs. Whether you're designing for high power, compact size, or fast charging, our lineup offers the reliability and performance your system demands.