Every EV battery stores direct current (DC). The grid supplies alternating current (AC). Something has to convert one to the other, and where that happens is the whole difference between AC and DC charging.
AC: the conversion happens in the car
An AC charger delivers power to the car’s on-board charger, which converts it to DC. Most cars accept between 7 and 11 kW on AC, and some accept 22 kW. That is enough to add roughly 40 to 120 km of range per hour of charging.
AC hardware is simple and relatively cheap, which makes it the right choice wherever a car is parked for hours: homes, offices, hotels and depots overnight.
DC: the conversion happens in the charger
A DC charger has the converter built in and feeds the battery directly. Power levels start around 30 kW and go beyond 240 kW. A 60 kW unit can add around 150 km in an hour, and a 120 kW unit around twice that, depending on the car.
DC costs more to buy and to connect, because it needs a larger supply. It earns its place where cars are only parked briefly: shopping centers, highway stops and fleet vehicles that go straight back out.
A simple rule
If the car sits for more than three or four hours, choose AC. If it sits for less than an hour or two, consider DC. Many sites use both: AC for the long stays, and one or two DC units for short ones.
Not sure what your site needs? Send us the parking layout and the supply capacity, and we will recommend a mix.