DC = direct current, meaning that the current only moves in one direction. DC current is used for power transmission over great distances because it leads to less inductive losses.

DC Charging indicates using an offboard charger, that is, a charger located at the charging station, and not in the vehicle.

DC stations in New Zealand have a tethered charging cable. The NZTA recommends that DC charging stations provide tethered cables with both the CHAdeMo DC and DC CCS Type 2 (a sort of multi fit port) connector type. 

You won't be able to get a fast charge at a DC public charging station if your car doesn't have the matching DC charging port/inlet.

You select the compatible supply cable and connector from the charging station and connects this to the electric vehicle inlet. The driver may then need to activate the power supply by using a start button on the charging station, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, swipe card, smart phone app or other device. Charging will start once access has been accepted and communication between the vehicle and the charger is established.

This BYD Atto has a Type 2 Combo CCS inlet. Some DC Charging Stations in NZ will have a tethered cable with a a Type 2 CDombo CCS plug on it allowing you to fast charge. Otherwise just use the Type 2 bit and charge at an AC station using a Type 2 Cable.

Does DC charge faster than AC?

Yes DC power is much faster than an AC charging station as there is less resistance for the current of electricity. However, the disadvantage of DC is that it is much more expensive to install than an AC charging station.

The rate a DC public charger will charger your car depends on the capacity of your onboard charger.

Factors affesting the rate of charge

The amount of time needed to completely charge an electric vehicle depends on several factors, including:

• battery capacity;
• ambient temperature;
• utility/ grid constraints limiting the current available to the charging station;
• temperature of the charging station;
• charging type;
• the vehicle’s battery management system (BMS);
• the capability of the on-board charger; and
• the amperage of the charging station.

The amount of charge already in the battery also affects the speed at which a battery can recharge – the closer it is to empty, the faster the electricity can flow.

When a battery is charged to 80 percent the charging rate typically starts to taper off. Therefore, if a driver is paying by the minute at a fast charge station, it can become costly to charge over 80 percent and they may not wish to completely fill up.

Can I get DC 'fast' charging at home?

The short answer is no. A DC fast charger is designed for industrial and commercial settings. This is mostly due to the power requirements and expenses associated with a Level 3 charger.

The choice is yours:

AC public chargers will charge your Type 1 EV at the same speed you might get at home. Nissan Leafs, for example can only charge at 3.6kWh when using an AC supply. You'll need a Type 2 to Type 1 Lead. You'll get about 20 km of range per hour of charging.

DC public chargers are fast, and you may have to pay.

A Nissan Leaf can only do "faster charges" on DC using the CHAdeMO connector type. When you arrive at a DC Public Charging Station the tethered cable supplied will have a CHAdeMO handle which connects to your car.

CHAdeMO = The Japanese use this plug type for their fast charging network so Japanese imported EV's come with this charging port as well. For example Nissan e-NV200, 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Leaf (Type 1).

CHAdeMO port (Left) Type 1 port (Right)

Drivers of a Type 2 EV can charge at AC or DC public charging stations. AC Charging is slower than DC but when travelling you may need to use an AC public charging station, or it could simply be your preference.

Most AC Chargers available on the public network will have a Type 2 plug and you'll need to supply your own Type 2 to Type 2 lead.

Some motels and smaller businesses offer charging via a domestic or industrial wall charger. These will be tethered or untethered so ring in advance to ask or use an EV network information app like PlugShare to learn what's on offer for your Type 2.

Teslas can charge at Tesla-only DC charging stations (using a tethered cable with Tesla-specific plug), DC stations offering a Type 2 tethered charging cable or at AC charging stations with a type 2 plug.

Make sure you keep a Type 2 to Type 2 charging lead in the car so that you have as many options as possible for achieving a charge. Accessing a fast or super-charge will become easier over time but currently these charging stations aren't as widely available. 

Tesla plug / Type 2 plug