In EV-territory, you can't escape the technical terms! AC and DC are much heard and very important terms. To get to the point as quickly as possible we'll start off by explaining what the abbreviations mean. AC stands for alternate current, which is the same type of current that is supplied by your outlets at home. DC stands for direct current, which is the type of current that is stored in your EV battery.

What is an AC-charger?

AC-chargers are the chargers that are often installed at home addresses and public parking spaces. The main reason for this is the fact that this type of charger is easily connected to the existing energy network of a home or a business. While charging at an AC-charger the alternate current that comes from the charger is inverted to direct current by a built-in inverter in the car. This inversion process is the reason that charging at an AC-charger takes longer than charging at a DC-charger. The upside is that because of the cheaper installation and the lower acquisition price, charging at an AC-charger is the cheapest option, making this an excellent way to charge your car while at work or at night.

What is a DC-charger?

DC-chargers are often referred to as 'fast chargers'. You'll find these chargers at specialty charging stations like Fastned. Installing a DC-charger is a lot more expensive than installing an AC-charger. The reason for this is that often, big adjustments need to be made to the electric infrastructure and an inverter needs to be installed in the charging point to make sure that the electricity is made suitable to store in your EV's battery. This is the reason that charging at a DC-charger is more expensive than charging at an AC-charger. In return you're able to recharge your car within a short amount of time. The reason for this is the great capacity of DC-chargers, combined with the fact that it supplies the car with direct current, making it easy to store the electricity directly into the car battery. This way you'll be on your way no problem!