AEC-21Y-G1: A Smart 21kW AC EV Charging Module for Europe’s Next Generation of Charging Infrastructure

Europe's EV Charging Market Is Moving Toward Smarter AC Infrastructure

The European electric mobility market is entering a new stage. The challenge is no longer simply putting more electric vehicles on the road—it is building enough convenient, reliable and interoperable charging infrastructure to support them.

The European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) has established mandatory targets for charging infrastructure and places greater emphasis on interoperability, user information, payment options and smart charging. The regulation has applied since April 2024.

At the same time, industry data shows that charging infrastructure still needs to expand substantially. ACEA has estimated that Europe needs a much faster annual deployment rate of charging points to meet its 2030 ambitions.

This creates opportunities not only for high-power highway charging, but also for AC charging in homes, workplaces, residential parking, hotels, supermarkets, offices and other everyday destinations.

For these applications, a charging system needs to combine power delivery with accurate metering, safety protection, communication and flexible user authentication.

This is where the AEC-21Y-G1 is designed to fit.

One Module Combining Charging, Metering and Connectivity

The AEC-21Y-G1 is an all-in-one AC EV charging module designed to simplify the architecture of an EV charging station.

It supports single-phase and three-phase AC charging, with a maximum charging power of 21kW and a current range of 16–32A. The module supports Mode 3 charging and provides Class 1.0 metering accuracy.

Instead of treating charging control, energy measurement and communication as completely separate functions, the AEC-21Y-G1 integrates them into one compact module.

This can help charging equipment manufacturers and system integrators develop more streamlined charging products while retaining flexibility for different European deployment scenarios.

Built Around the European Type 2 Charging Ecosystem

Type 2 has become a key interface for AC charging across Europe.

The AEC-21Y-G1 supports Type 2 IEC 62196-2, as well as Type 1 SAE J1772 adaptations, giving manufacturers flexibility when developing charging equipment for different vehicle markets.

Importantly, the European Commission has further strengthened interoperability requirements. Under the amended AFIR technical specifications, from 8 January 2026, newly installed or renovated AC normal-power and high-power charging points for light-duty EVs must use Type 2 socket outlets or vehicle connectors for Mode 3 interoperability.

For companies developing European-oriented AC charging equipment, Type 2 compatibility is therefore an important consideration when selecting the core charging module.

Accurate Energy Measurement for Commercial Charging

EV charging is increasingly becoming an energy service rather than simply a method of supplying electricity.

A charging point installed at an apartment building, workplace, hotel, parking facility or commercial property may need to record how much electricity each charging session consumes.

The AEC-21Y-G1 incorporates energy metering with Class 1.0 accuracy and a pulse constant of 1000 imp/kWh. Its LCD display can show charging voltage, charging current, energy consumption and charging duration.
This makes the module suitable for charging applications where operators need visibility into charging energy and session information.

It is particularly relevant to commercial and semi-public charging environments where electricity consumption needs to be monitored as part of the charging service.

Multiple Communication Options for Connected Charging

Modern European charging infrastructure increasingly relies on digital connectivity.

A charging station may need to communicate with an energy management system, local controller, payment system or remote operation platform.

The AEC-21Y-G1 provides several communication options, including:

• RS485

• NFC

• Bluetooth 4.0–5.0

• 4G remote communication

The module also supports NFC card charging and RS485 connectivity, while its communication system uses IVY's own Ivy-bus protocol.

This combination allows manufacturers to develop different charging architectures depending on the application.

For example, NFC can support local user authentication, Bluetooth can support local configuration or communication, RS485 can connect the charging module to other equipment, and 4G can enable remote connectivity.

Designed for Residential and Commercial Charging

Not every European EV charging application requires a high-power DC charger.

For many everyday charging scenarios, vehicles remain parked for several hours, making AC charging a practical solution.

The AEC-21Y-G1 is designed for applications including private homes, public locations, long-term rental and electricity-selling scenarios, as well as new energy vehicles.

Potential applications include:

Residential charging

For homeowners and residential developments, an AC charging system can provide convenient overnight charging without requiring a high-power DC infrastructure.

Workplace charging

Employees may leave vehicles parked throughout the working day, creating a natural use case for AC charging.

Hotels and commercial properties

Hotels, shopping facilities and other destinations can integrate EV charging into their customer services and parking infrastructure.

Public and semi-public charging

Parking operators and charging service providers can deploy connected AC chargers with metering and authentication functions.

Long-term rental and electricity-selling applications

Where charging sessions need to be monitored and energy consumption measured, integrated metering and communication can simplify the overall charging architecture.

Safety Protection for Everyday EV Charging

Safety is a fundamental requirement for EV charging equipment.

The AEC-21Y-G1 integrates multiple protection functions, including:

• Emergency stop protection

• Open-cover protection

• Leakage protection

• Lightning protection

• Overheating protection

• Grounding protection

• Short-circuit protection

• Overvoltage and undervoltage protection

• Surge protection

• Electrostatic protection

• Automatic charging stop when the battery is full

These functions are integrated into the module to provide an additional layer of protection within the charging system architecture.

The product documentation also lists IEC 61851-1:2019, CE-EMC, CE-LVD and MID compliance.

For European equipment manufacturers, considering applicable regulatory and metering requirements early in product development can help reduce integration complexity and simplify the path toward market-ready charging equipment.

Compact DIN-Rail Design for Flexible Integration

Charging equipment does not always have unlimited internal space.

The AEC-21Y-G1 uses a DIN-rail installation design, allowing it to be integrated into suitable charging station electrical enclosures and control cabinets. Its compact and customizable design is intended to support different charging station configurations.

This approach can be particularly useful for OEMs and system integrators developing their own charging station housings, control systems or branded EV charging products.

Instead of purchasing a complete finished charger, manufacturers can integrate the charging module into their own equipment architecture.

A Practical Building Block for Europe's Charging Expansion

Europe's charging infrastructure will not be built from a single type of charger.

High-power DC charging will remain important for motorways and long-distance travel, while AC charging will continue to serve locations where vehicles remain parked for longer periods.

The European Commission has also emphasized the need for broader deployment of charging infrastructure, while AFIR establishes requirements designed to improve interoperability and user experience.

This creates a market for charging modules that are not only capable of delivering electricity, but can also measure energy, communicate with other systems and provide integrated protection.

The AEC-21Y-G1 Smart Charging Module brings these functions together in a single platform:

Up to 21kW AC charging + Class 1.0 metering + Type 2 compatibility + multiple communication interfaces + integrated safety protection + DIN-rail installation.

For EV charger manufacturers, energy companies, parking operators and system integrators looking to develop connected AC charging equipment for Europe, AEC-21Y-G1 can serve as a flexible core component for the next generation of smart charging solutions.

Key Specifications at a Glance

The specifications above are based on the AEC-21Y-G1 product information provided by IVY Metering.

Conclusion

As Europe accelerates the deployment of EV charging infrastructure, the next generation of charging equipment will need to be connected, measurable, interoperable and adaptable.

The AEC-21Y-G1 addresses these requirements by combining 21kW AC charging, accurate energy metering, Type 2 compatibility, multiple communication interfaces and comprehensive protection functions in one compact module.

For residential charging, workplaces, commercial properties, public parking and long-term charging applications, it offers an integrated foundation for building smarter AC EV charging stations.

AEC-21Y-G1 — a compact and connected charging module for building smarter EV charging infrastructure in Europe.