Electric car ownership
What is the difference between AC and DC public EV charging?
<p><strong>AC charging supplies alternating current for the vehicle's onboard charger to convert; DC charging supplies direct current to the battery through the vehicle's charging system.</strong></p><h2>Why this matters</h2><p>The charger's advertised maximum power is not a promise of sustained speed. An EV can be limited by its onboard AC capacity, DC charging curve, battery temperature or state of charge. For example, a car with a modest AC onboard charger may not gain much from a higher-rated AC post, whereas a DC charger can be useful on a long trip if the car supports it.</p><h2>What to do in practice</h2><p>Check your car's connector and maximum AC/DC charging rates. Compare price per kilowatt-hour, possible session or parking fees, connector availability and likely charging time. Plan a second option for essential journeys rather than assuming a listed charger is always functioning.</p><h2>Important distinction</h2><p>Maximum charging rates vary by model and battery conditions; do not calculate journey time using the charger nameplate alone.</p>
