DC (fast charging) or AC (slow charging)? Both have their place – here's when to pick which.
AC: slow and cheap
- Power: typically 11–22 kW
- Time: several hours for a full charge
- Price: lowest per kWh
- Best for: overnight, at home or at work
- Gentle on the battery
DC: fast and pricier
- Power: 50–400 kW
- Time: 20–40 minutes to 80 %
- Price: higher per kWh
- Best for: long trips, quick top-ups
- More strain on the battery, especially in heat
Which one should you use?
Use AC as your default – overnight at home, at work, when sleeping at a hotel. Use DC strategically on long trips or when you really need to be fast. ChargingTime lets you filter for either type on the route.
