EV terms, in plain English
AC vs DC charging
AC charging is what you’ll usually use when the car is parked for hours. DC fast charging is what gets you moving again on a road trip.
EV batteries store direct current (DC) electricity, but your home supplies alternating current (AC).
When you charge at home or from most destination chargers, the car converts AC electricity into DC using its onboard charger. This is why AC charging is relatively slow — typically from around 2 kW from a household powerpoint to 7–22 kW from dedicated AC chargers.
DC fast chargers work differently. They supply DC electricity directly to the battery and can deliver much more power — from around 50 kW to more than 300 kW on some chargers and vehicles.
But the maximum charging figure advertised for an EV is only its peak. A car capable of 250 kW won’t necessarily charge at 250 kW throughout the session. Charging usually slows as the battery fills.
That’s why manufacturers often quote something like 10–80% charging time rather than 0–100%.
Why it matters: if you mainly charge at home, maximum DC speed may rarely matter. If you regularly drive long distances, however, fast and consistent DC charging can make a major difference to how long you spend waiting on a road trip.
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