a voltage converter for charging an energy storage module from an alternating current line voltage , includes a first charging stage , coupled to the energy storage module , converting the line voltage to a first rectified direct current module charging voltage communicated to the energy storage module , the first rectified direct current module charging voltage greater than the line voltage , the first charging stage including an inductance for communicating a first charging current to the energy storage module ; a second charging stage , switchably coupled serially with the first charging stage , down - converting the alternating current line voltage to a second rectified direct current module voltage , the second rectified direct current module voltage less than the first rectified direct current module charging voltage , wherein the second charging stage produces a second charging current not greater than the first charging current ; and a controller for selectably switching the second charging stage serially with the first charging stage when the line voltage has a peak value greater than a predefined relationship to a voltage of the energy storage module wherein the second charging stage communicates the second charging current to the energy storage module through the inductance .