CHARGERS

What Does the Onboard Charger Do?

The onboard charger (OBC) is what lets a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle charge from an ordinary AC power source, whether that’s a home wallbox or a public AC charging point. The grid supplies alternating current, but the high voltage battery can only accept direct current, so the OBC’s job is to convert that AC into DC at a voltage and current the battery can safely take.

Most passenger vehicle OBCs are rated somewhere between roughly 3.6 kW and 22 kW, and the charger communicates constantly with the vehicle’s Battery Management System, which decides how much current the pack can safely accept at any given moment.

It’s worth knowing that DC fast charging, the high-power chargers found at motorway services, bypasses the onboard charger completely. Power goes straight to the battery through the BMS instead. The OBC only comes into play for standard AC charging at home or at public Level 1/Level 2 points.

Below you’ll find new, used and refurbished OEM onboard chargers for your make and model, tested before shipping and covered by warranty.

Signs of a Failing Onboard Charger

• Vehicle won’t charge from a home wallbox or public AC point, but DC fast charging still works fine
• Charging stops partway through, or takes far longer than it used to
• Charging system warning light on the dash
• Fault code relating to the charge port or onboard charger

New, Used & Refurbished OEM Chargers

These onboard chargers are available new, used or refurbished depending on your model. Each one is tested before shipping, with a 12-month warranty.

Compatible Makes & Models

Filter by make below, or search by part number.

Testing, Warranty & Exchange Service

Every onboard charger is tested before it leaves our warehouse, and comes with a 12-month warranty. Exchange parts require a refundable deposit, returned once your original defective part is received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my EV charge at home but it charges fine at a DC fast charger?

That’s a classic sign of a failed onboard charger. Home and public AC charging both rely on the OBC, while DC fast charging bypasses it entirely.

What’s the difference between AC charging and DC fast charging?

AC charging routes power through the onboard charger, which converts it to DC for the battery. It’s slower but gentler on the pack. DC fast charging feeds direct current straight to the battery, skipping the OBC, for much quicker charging.

How long does charging take through the onboard charger?

Depends on the OBC’s rated power and the battery’s size, but a typical home AC charge takes several hours, compared to roughly 30 minutes to an hour on a DC fast charger.