Apparatus and method for charging a traction battery of an electric vehicle

The device has a traction battery connection (3), a power converter (2), and a motor connection (5) i.e. three-phase electric machine, where the power converter includes a commutation circuit for converting an external alternating current voltage or an external direct current voltage into a direct current voltage for charging a traction battery (4) The commutation circuit includes two mutually coupled inductive elements and a commutation half bridge, where the inductive elements are formed as primary and secondary transformer coils, respectively. An independent claim is also included for a method for charging a traction battery of an electric car.