Both exist. Home chargers and public Level 1 and Level 2 chargers supply AC power, which the car’s on-board charger converts into DC for the battery. DC fast chargers contain their own large converters and deliver DC directly to the battery, bypassing the on-board charger, which is why they can charge many times faster.
AC vs DC Charging
| AC (Level 1 and 2) | DC fast | |
|---|---|---|
| Where conversion happens | In the car (on-board charger) | In the station |
| Typical power | 1.4–19.2 kW | 50–350 kW |
| Limited by | Charger and on-board charger | Station and battery |
| Connectors (North America) | J1772, NACS | CCS1, NACS, CHAdeMO |
| Typical location | Homes, workplaces, hotels | Highways, urban hubs |
| Equipment cost | Lower | Much higher |
Why Home Charging Is AC
Homes have AC supplies, and the car already carries an AC-to-DC converter. A DC fast charger would need a large, expensive converter and a much bigger electrical service. For overnight charging, AC is cheaper, simpler and gentler on the battery.
Examples
- AC portable: EVDANCE EV-ACS4005T 40A NACS portable charger, up to 9.6 kW.
- AC wall: EVDANCE EV-ACT5006T 48A Level 2 wall charger, up to 48 A.
- AC commercial: EVDANCE EV-AC03201T dual-gun AC charging station, two Type 2 guns.
- DC commercial: EVDANCE EV-RHDC30K-L compact DC fast charger, compact DC fast charging.
See Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC fast charging for charge times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Level 2 charger AC or DC?
AC.
Is a Tesla Supercharger AC or DC?
DC.
Can I install a DC charger at home?
Technically possible but rarely practical because of cost and supply needs.
Related Reading
- How Do Home EV Chargers Work?
- How Do EV Charging Stations Work?
- Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC Fast Charging
- Mode 2 vs Mode 3 Charging
Key Takeaways
- Level 1 and 2 chargers supply AC; the car converts it to DC.
- DC fast chargers deliver DC directly to the battery.
- Home charging is AC because it is simpler and cheaper.