If you are new to electric vehicles, you will quickly come across the terms AC and DC. They appear on charger screens, vehicle specifications, charging apps and EV guides.
AC and DC charging work in different ways and are suited to different situations. AC charging is commonly used at home, at work and at slower destination charge points. DC charging is used at rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers where drivers need to add range quickly.
In simple terms, AC charging is generally slower and better suited to routine charging. DC charging is much faster and is designed primarily for quick top-ups during longer journeys.
Most UK drivers use a 7kW AC home charger overnight and rely on DC rapid chargers when they need a quick top-up during a longer journey.
This guide explains how AC and DC charging work, where each type is used, which connectors they require and what this means for the charging cables you need.
The quick answer
AC charging is used for most home, workplace and destination charging. Electricity arrives at the vehicle as alternating current, and the car’s onboard charger converts it into direct current before storing it in the battery.
DC charging is mainly used at rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers. The charger converts the electricity before it reaches the vehicle and supplies DC power to the battery, allowing much higher charging speeds.
Most modern electric vehicles can use both. You will normally use AC charging for everyday driving and DC charging when you need to add range quickly on a longer journey.
AC vs DC EV charging compared
| Feature | AC charging | DC charging |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alternating current | Direct current |
| Typical use | Home, workplace and destination charging | Rapid public charging |
| Typical charging speed | Around 2.3kW to 22kW | Commonly around 50kW to 350kW |
| Where conversion happens | Inside the vehicle | Inside the charging unit |
| Common UK connectors | Type 2 and Type 1 | CCS2 and CHAdeMO |
| Do you need your own cable? | Sometimes, if the charger is untethered | No, the cable is attached to the charger |
| Typical charging cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Best suited to | Overnight and routine charging | Longer journeys and quick top-ups |
Charging speeds vary by vehicle, charger, battery condition and electricity supply. A charger’s maximum output does not guarantee that a vehicle will accept power at that rate.
What is AC charging?
AC stands for alternating current. It is the type of electricity supplied by the UK grid to homes and businesses.
When you charge an electric vehicle using a home EV charger, a portable charger connected to a suitable three-pin socket or many workplace and destination chargers, you are normally using AC charging.
An EV battery cannot store AC electricity directly. Batteries store DC power, so the car’s onboard charger converts the incoming AC electricity into DC before it reaches the battery.
This conversion process means AC charging is usually slower than DC charging. The maximum speed is limited by both the charge point and the vehicle’s onboard charger.
For example, if a vehicle with a maximum AC charging rate of 7.4kW is connected to a 22kW AC charge point, it will still charge at no more than approximately 7.4kW. Connecting it to a more powerful AC charger will not damage the vehicle, but it will not make the vehicle charge faster than its onboard charger allows.
Where is AC charging used?
AC charging is used for most routine EV charging.
- Homes with dedicated wallbox chargers
- Suitable three-pin sockets used with portable EV chargers
- Workplaces and hotels
- Supermarkets, retail parks and public car parks
- Destination and some on-street residential charge points
For most UK drivers with off-street parking, a dedicated 7kW AC home charger is the most practical option for regular charging.
A portable EV charger may be useful as a slower alternative or backup. It may also meet the needs of some plug-in hybrid drivers or people covering relatively low daily mileage, provided the socket and electrical installation are suitable.
AC charging connectors and equipment
The main AC connector types used by electric vehicles in the UK are Type 2 and Type 1. Portable Mode 2 chargers are also used for charging from suitable domestic sockets.
Type 2
Type 2 is the standard AC charging connector for most modern electric vehicles sold in the UK and Europe.
It is commonly used for:
- Home wallbox charging
- Workplace charging
- Public destination charging
- Untethered AC charge points
If you have an untethered home charger or use a public AC charger with a socket, you will usually need a Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.
Type 1
Type 1 is an older AC connector found on some earlier electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Examples include some earlier Nissan Leaf models and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV models.
Most newer electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids sold in the UK now use Type 2 instead.
Portable Mode 2 chargers
A Mode 2 portable charger allows a vehicle to charge from a suitable domestic socket.
Portable charging from a standard UK three-pin socket is normally limited to around 2.3kW, making it considerably slower than a dedicated 7kW home wallbox.
It can still be useful for:
- Backup charging
- Occasional charging away from home
- Some plug-in hybrid vehicles
- Drivers covering relatively low daily mileage
- Locations where a wallbox is not available
The suitability of portable charging depends on the vehicle, the time available and the condition of the electrical installation. A portable EV charger should be connected directly to an appropriate socket and should not be used with extension leads or multi-socket adapters.
What is DC charging?
DC stands for direct current. It is the form of electricity stored by EV batteries.
With DC charging, the conversion from AC to DC takes place inside the charging unit rather than inside the vehicle. The charger then supplies DC power to the battery, bypassing the vehicle’s onboard AC charger.
This allows DC chargers to provide much higher power levels than most AC charge points.
DC chargers are larger, more powerful and more expensive to install than AC chargers. They are normally found in places where drivers need to add range quickly.
A DC charger may offer 50kW, 100kW, 150kW, 250kW or even 350kW, depending on the charging unit and network.
The actual charging speed will also depend on:
- The vehicle’s maximum DC charging rate
- Battery temperature
- Current battery percentage
- The vehicle’s charging curve
- Charger output
- Whether the charging site is sharing power between units
Where is DC charging used?
DC charging is mainly used for rapid public charging.
- Motorway service stations
- Dedicated EV charging hubs
- Major A-road charging locations
- Some supermarkets and retail parks
- Fleet and commercial charging sites
DC charging is particularly useful when you need to add range quickly during a longer journey.
It usually costs more per kilowatt-hour than home AC charging, so many drivers use it when speed matters rather than as their main everyday charging method.
DC charging connectors
The main DC rapid charging connectors found in the UK are CCS2 and CHAdeMO.
CCS2
CCS stands for Combined Charging System.
CCS2 is the dominant DC rapid charging standard for modern electric vehicles in the UK and Europe.
A European CCS2 charging port combines the upper Type 2 section with two additional DC pins underneath. This allows the same vehicle port to support both Type 2 AC charging and CCS2 DC rapid charging.
Most modern electric vehicles sold in the UK use CCS2 for rapid charging.
CHAdeMO
CHAdeMO is an older DC rapid charging connector used by some earlier electric vehicles, particularly older Nissan Leaf models and certain Mitsubishi vehicles.
CHAdeMO charge points are still available, but the connector is less common on new vehicles and CCS2 has become the main UK and European rapid-charging standard.
Drivers of CHAdeMO-equipped vehicles should check suitable charger availability when planning longer journeys.
Do you need different cables for AC and DC charging?
Your cable requirements depend on the type of charger you are using.
| Charging situation | Cable required |
|---|---|
| Tethered home wallbox | No separate cable required |
| Untethered home wallbox | Type 2 charging cable usually required |
| Public AC destination charger with a socket | Type 2 charging cable usually required |
| Public DC rapid charger | No separate cable required |
| Suitable three-pin socket | Mode 2 portable charger required |
For untethered AC charging, you will normally need to carry your own cable.
For DC rapid charging, the cable is attached to the charging unit. These cables are thicker and heavier because they carry much higher levels of power. You simply select the correct connector for your vehicle, usually CCS2 for most modern EVs, and plug it into the car.
For most UK drivers, the main equipment decisions relate to AC charging: choosing the right Type 2 cable, home charger or portable charger. DC rapid chargers already have their own cables attached.
Which type of charging should you use?
Most electric vehicle owners use both AC and DC charging, but for different reasons.
Use AC charging for routine charging
AC charging is generally best for:
- Charging at home overnight
- Charging at work
- Topping up while parked for several hours
- Lower-cost routine charging
- Regular day-to-day use
A dedicated home wallbox allows the vehicle to charge while it would otherwise be parked, reducing the need to visit public rapid chargers.
Use DC charging when speed matters
DC charging is generally best for:
- Motorway journeys
- Long-distance travel
- Quick top-ups
- Charging when you cannot wait several hours
- Public charging hubs
DC charging offers much higher speeds, but it will normally cost more than charging at home.
Does AC or DC affect charging speed?
Yes. DC charging is usually much faster than AC charging.
Domestic AC wallboxes commonly provide around 7kW, while some workplace and public AC chargers can offer 11kW or 22kW.
The vehicle’s onboard charger determines how much AC power it can accept. A car limited to 7.4kW AC will not charge at 22kW simply because it is connected to a 22kW charge point.
DC charging bypasses the vehicle’s onboard AC charger and supplies DC electricity to the battery. This allows rapid and ultra-rapid charging units to provide much higher power levels.
However, a vehicle can only accept its own maximum supported rate. Connecting a car with a maximum DC rate of 100kW to a 350kW charger will not make it charge at 350kW.
Charging speeds also change during a session. Many vehicles charge fastest when the battery is warm and at a relatively low state of charge, then reduce the charging rate as the battery becomes fuller.
Is home EV charging AC or DC?
Home EV charging is almost always AC.
A standard 7kW home wallbox uses AC electricity from the household supply. The vehicle’s onboard charger then converts this electricity into DC before it is stored in the battery.
Portable chargers connected to suitable three-pin sockets also use AC electricity.
Specialist domestic DC charging equipment exists, but it is not part of a typical UK home installation. For nearly all households, home charging means AC charging.
Is DC rapid charging bad for an EV battery?
DC rapid charging is safe. Electric vehicles use battery-management systems to control charging power, battery temperature and energy delivery throughout the session.
Rapid charging can generate more heat than slower AC charging, particularly when the battery is very cold, very hot or already at a high state of charge.
This does not mean that occasional rapid charging will damage the battery. DC charging is an expected part of normal EV use.
For most drivers, a sensible approach is to use AC charging for routine home charging and DC rapid charging when faster charging is genuinely useful, such as during longer journeys.
Always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s charging guidance.
What does AC vs DC mean for EV charging cables?
The difference between AC and DC charging directly affects which equipment you need to carry.
For AC charging, a Type 2 cable is one of the most useful accessories for a modern EV. It is normally required when using:
- An untethered home wallbox
- A workplace charger with a socket
- A public destination charger without a fixed cable
For DC charging, you do not need to buy or carry a CCS2 or CHAdeMO cable because the cable is permanently attached to the rapid charger.
A practical charging setup for many UK EV drivers includes:
- A dedicated AC home wallbox for routine charging
- A Type 2 cable for untethered home and public AC chargers
- A portable Mode 2 charger for backup or occasional use
- No separate cable for DC rapid charging
The exact equipment you need will depend on your vehicle’s connectors, where you charge and whether your regular charge points are tethered or untethered.
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, AC or DC charging?
DC charging is faster.
AC charging commonly ranges from around 2.3kW to 22kW, while DC rapid chargers may offer 50kW to 350kW. The actual speed depends on both the charger and the vehicle’s maximum charging rate.
Can all electric cars use DC rapid charging?
Most modern electric vehicles can use DC rapid charging, usually through a CCS2 connector.
Some older vehicles use CHAdeMO, while a small number of vehicles may not support DC charging. Check the vehicle specification before travelling to a rapid charger.
Why does AC charging need an onboard converter?
EV batteries store DC electricity, while homes and many slower charge points supply AC electricity.
The vehicle’s onboard charger converts the incoming AC electricity into DC so that it can be stored in the battery.
Do I need different cables for AC and DC charging?
You may need your own cable for AC charging if the charge point is untethered.
You do not need your own cable for DC rapid charging because the cable is attached to the charging unit.
Is home charging AC or DC?
Home charging is almost always AC.
A home wallbox supplies AC electricity and the vehicle converts it into DC using its onboard charger.
Is CCS AC or DC?
CCS2 is used for DC rapid charging.
The vehicle’s CCS2 port also includes the Type 2 section used for AC charging, allowing the same port to support both charging methods.
Is Type 2 AC or DC?
Type 2 is primarily used for AC charging at homes, workplaces and destination chargers.
In a CCS2 connector, the Type 2 section is combined with two additional pins that carry DC power during rapid charging.
Do rapid chargers have cables attached?
Yes.
Public DC rapid and ultra-rapid chargers have tethered cables attached to the unit, so drivers do not need to bring their own rapid-charging cable.
Shop EV charging cables and home chargers
For home and destination charging from an untethered AC charge point, a suitable Type 2 cable is usually what you need.
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Choose a cable that is compatible with your vehicle, charger and expected charging speed.
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