Get $750 off your Tesla Powerwall 3: Rebate Now Available (Combine with Federal Subsidy Today)
Posted 17 Nov
Want the latest in energy, solar, and savings?Subscribe to our newsletter – we don’t spam!
For those who want to, or already own an electric vehicle, you’ve probably heard ‘AC’ and ‘DC’ charging, but what does it mean? Explore the differences between AC and DC electric vehicle charging in Australia, the pros and cons, and how it affects the way you charge your EV.
AC (Alternating Current) charging is when the installed charger acts as an appliance, using the home’s AC power supply, which sends AC electricity to the EV where an onboard inverter is responsible for converting it to DC power for the battery.
DC EV charging on the other hand converts the grid-supplied AC electricity to DC in the charging station itself which goes directly to the EV’s battery for increased speeds, hence the size of DC fast chargers.
In Australia, all home and home appliances run on grid-supplied alternating current (AC) electricity. Most 7-22kW chargers are AC chargers, which send the AC electricity to the EV to charge.
How fast is AC Charging? AC charging consists of level 1 and 2 chargers, providing from 2.4kW in a standard home outlet, 7kW for single phase, and up to 22kW for three-phase properties using three-phase electric vehicle chargers like myenergi’s Zappi charger.
Whilst AC chargers can provide up to 22kW of charging, it’s important to note that your EVs built-in inverter (or ‘on-board charger’) may bottleneck charging speeds with specification limitations.
What does alternating current mean? AC simply refers to when the electrical current switches direction in a circuit, which is used for homes, appliances, and long-distance transmission.
An onboard charger or inverter is responsible for converting chargers’ AC electricity from the home or grid to DC electricity for the battery. The onboard charger is only required for AC chargers and can be a limitation to charging speeds depending on your EV model.
For example, the Tesla Model Y has an 11kW on-board charger which works well with Tesla Wall Connector which provides up to 11.5kW of AC charging power, but also means that a 22kW charger won’t be fully utilised as the inverter is capped at 11kW.
Is 11kW three-phase? As single-phase properties can only get 7kW, to achieve 11kW your property will need to be three phase.
Whilst DC also provides power to your EV, this time, the AC to DC conversion happens inside the charging unit, which inverts the AC into DC which can be sent straight into the EV battery bypassing the on-board charger and its limitations.
DC chargers can unlock much faster charging speeds, with some reaching 480kW of power. DC fast chargers (DCFC) are typically used in applications like public and fleet EV charging stations that require fast and rapid charging systems to recharge electric vehicles as quickly as possible.
Whilst DC EV chargers can be installed for homes, they are typically very expensive coming in to more than $10,000, accounting for the additional tech, and home infrastructure to support it.
What does direct current mean? As opposed to AC, direct current (DC) flows in one direction which you see mainly in phones, batteries, and solar panels.
As installers of EV chargers across
Newcastle & the Hunter, our criteria for the best AC & DC electric vehicle chargers consist of reliability, quality, and
functionality. Using these, we highly recommend the following chargers as we think these are the best AC EV charger options for households
and businesses in Australia.
In most cases, a combination of both AC and DC charging will be sufficient in keeping your electric vehicle topped up. However, there may be situations where certain drivers have specific requirements that may alter recommendations.
For example, if you’re someone who works all day, and then parks in their garage at night and repeats the next day, an AC EV charger may be preferential as it fits directly into your lifestyle.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who is regularly on the road and needs constant 0-80% charges as quickly as possible, relying on public DC chargers may be the better choice.
Most EV owners will opt for both solutions, with AC charging being much more convenient at home, and relying on public EV charging stations for quick charges throughout the week.
Because both AC and DC chargers technically end up charging the battery with DC electricity with either the DC charger or on-board charger supply the DC electricity, it shows us that AC and DC don’t directly affect the battery’s lifespan.
The battery lifespan is determined by the speed of the charging. AC chargers max out at 22kW which is a good speed for gradual and consistent charging, whilst DC chargers can reach up to 480kW. High-powered chargers provide generate more heat and cell stress, but with modern charging management technology, the difference is minimal.
During the process of fast charging, the curve is set to optimise battery performance and prolong battery health to ensure longevity.
Courtesy of Erik Mclean on Pexels.
The main difference of AC and DC charging really comes down to how fast and the way your EV is charged. The pros of AC charging are convenience, cost effectiveness, and how it's designed for routine. AC's cons are slower and less efficient charging compared to DC.
The pros of DC charging consists of higher speeds of power (up to more than 400kW) and suitability for public charging stations, with its
cons being more expensive and requiring upgraded electrical infrastructure.
Features |
AC EV Charging |
DC EV Charging |
| Current Type |
Alternating Current |
Direct Current |
| Conversion |
Uses on-board EV inverter |
Inside the DC charger |
| Typical Power (kW) |
2.4kW – 22kW (slower) |
25kW – 480kW (faster) |
| Designed for |
Designed for homes, workplace, and public charging – daily and overnight charging. |
For public charging stations, and commercial fleet charging, for rapid recharges and road trips. |
| Connector Types |
Type 2 (AC) |
CCS2 (DC) |
Whilst both AC and DC chargers can generate heat, they both require various methods of cooling to accommodate their power output.
AC electric vehicle chargers generate heat like other electronics, however, they are designed to have adequate cooling by implementing natural convection or passive cooling. Fans aren’t required because the charger is not inverting the AC to DC which would generate heat from conversion power loss.
DC EV charging stations require strong cooling methods to deal with the high-power transfer and inversions that happen inside the charger unit. Delivering hundreds of kW of power at any given time, DC superchargers require heat management like liquid cooling in the charger, and sometimes in the charging cable itself.
It’s not only important operationally to keep each charging station cool, but it’s also important for ensuring safety and protection of the
property, charger, and customer.
Whilst they achieve the same purpose, both AC and DC electric vehicle chargers are designed for specific purposes to help keep local electric vehicles on the road.
With the uptake in electric vehicles in Australia, the demand for sufficient chargers and infrastructure becomes more and more important. In
the future, both AC and DC electric vehicle chargers will play a major role in our energy management and powering transportation.
Explore how Australia’s Q4 2025 solar and battery data highlights a major milestone: majority renewable contribution to daytime electricity demand.
How rooftop solar helped NSW avoid blackouts during the 2026 heatwave, reducing grid stress & supporting record electricity demand across Newcastle.
Explore Elite Power Group's solar and battery installation statistics for 2025, and how we performed over this year of operation in Newcastle and Maitland.
Explore the differences between peak shaving and load shifting and how it can maximise solar & battery, reduce your bills and grid reliance in Australia.
Explore the difference between solar inverter types like grid-tied, hybrid, microinverters, and off-grid inverters for solar and battery systems in Australia.
Explore Australia's first CEC-approved bidirectional and vehicle-to-grid capable electric vehicle, the V2Grid Numbat, a 6.2kW V2G/H charger now ready.
Explore how battery nominal & useable energy capacity is different to power output, and learn about state of charge, depth of discharge, and cycles.
Explore the differences between AC and DC electric vehicle charging in Australia and how it affects the way you charge your EV, and the pros & cons.
Considering a cheap solar system? Learn how low-quality, unreliable inverters and panels can lead to costly repairs, full replacements, and safety issues.
Volts vs amps vs watts explained simply. Learn what current is and how watts are calculated using examples & easy conversions for electricity in Australia.
Battery supply chains are tight across Australia, with shipping delays leaving many installers out of stock and customers waiting longer. What's happening?
Learn how to avoid solar scams in NSW. Spot red flags & dodgy installer tactics and find reputable companies with great warranty & quality installations.
Explore the best solar system sizes & how many panels you need, the best Australian solar brands, and cost estimates for 6.6 & 10kW systems in NSW.
Explore why the delays in vehicle-to-grid and bidirectional chargers are happening, and how V2G faces regulatory and legislative development in Australia.
Over 56,000 solar batteries were sold in Q2, 2025, thanks to the Australian battery subsidy. Explore solar & battery uptake, growth trends, and what's next.
Discover how to choose the right solar battery size for your home. Compare 10kWh, 15kWh, and 20kWh options to maximise savings, and solar in NSW.
Explore what Virtual Power Plants (VPP) are, if joining is worth it, and how NSW solar battery owners can earn rewards, FiTs & rebates in Australia.
Explore what solar hotspots are, how they can affect your panel performance & efficiency, & how bypass diodes can affect your cells & strings in Australia.
Explore the process of installing rooftop solar and battery storage systems in a step-by-step guide of 9 easy steps on how solar is installed in Australia.
Discover the best home EV chargers in Australia. Compare popular electric vehicle home charging stations, costs, and installations for Newcastle NSW.
Learn if your roof is suitable for solar panels and how roof materials like terracotta or tin, orientation, tilt, & shading can affect energy production and install.
Power vs Energy in Australia: Difference Between Watts and Watt-Hours, kW vs kWh, with Diagrams, Calculations, and Home Appliance Examples.
Explore upcoming & available bidirectional V2G-capable chargers in Australia from V2Grid, RedEarth, Sigenergy, Enphase, Tesla, and Fronius EV charging.
Compare the difference between Sungrow's SBH and SBR battery storage vs. BYD Battery-Box and find what battery is better for homes or businesses in NSW.
The NSW Government have announced that the NSW Battery Rebate (PDRS) will be suspended on June 30th, 2025, and will no longer be available.
Avoid the 9.7% NSW electricity bill increase with expert tips on reducing energy costs, optimising solar usage, and finding better energy plans in 2025.
Explore how you can use your EV battery via vehicle-to-load (V2L) as a backup energy source during blackouts to power your home appliances in Australia.
Explore Australia's Federal Government solar battery rebate subsidy like eligibility, approved batteries, requirements, and more about the upcoming incentive.
Partnering with Elite Power Group, Maitland City Council have invested in more electric vehicle chargers in the Maitland area, supporting the uptake of EVs.
Does installing solar & batteries affect home insurance? Explore how solar & energy storage changes home insurance premiums in Australia, NSW in 2025.
Should solar owners get a home battery (ESS) or wait for vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology to use electric vehicle battery power to be available in Australia?
Explore available NSW solar rebates, subsidies, incentives, and financing programs to help you invest in solar power for your Newcastle home in 2025.
Explore the differences between AC and DC coupled solar battery storage and how it affects your solar system and inverters' configuration in Australia.
Explore if fleet or public electric vehicle charging is better for charging workplace and employee EVs for your business in Newcastle & the Hunter, NSW.
With homes, Australian standards, and energy networks being ready for bidirectional charging, why the wait? Let's explore grid, EV, & charger developments.
The differences between Tesla Powerwall 3 vs. Sungrow battery storage (SBH) capacity, warranty, and features, and which one is better in Australia.
Explore the differences and if hot water solar or solar PV systems are better, along with heat pumps and electric water heaters for home savings in Australia.
Working closely with the Newcastle City Council, we helped the development of Gregson Park Playspace with electrical infrastructure, lighting, and facilities.
A very strong storm passed through the Hunter, leaving over 100,000 homes without power. Here's how you can protect your home's energy with independence.
As 2025 comes to light, homes and businesses in NSW have access to a range of rebates and subsidies that allow for discounted installations of solar and battery solutions.
Completing a commercial solar and electric vehicle charger installation, our Thornton neighbours can take full advantage of renewable electricity and charging.
Elite Power Group installed a 2MW commercial solar installation for National Ceramic Industries Australia, totaling 4000 solar panels in Rutherford.
Explore various ways where homes and businesses can reduce electricity bills and maximise solar generation in Newcastle and the Hunter, NSW for 2025.
Explore whether rooftop or ground mounted solar systems are better for homes, farms, and remote properties needing solar PV power in Australia.
The journey of bidirectional charging in Australia has hit a milestone with the recent approval of the new standard for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging for 2025.
Explore how daylight savings and seasonal changes during winter and summer can affect your solar panels performance and solar generation in NSW, Australia.
For cabins, homes, and sheds with limited or no access to grid energy, getting an off grid solar and battery storage system may be worth it in NSW in 2025.
Everyone has seen a solar installation a normal roof like tin or tiled roofs, but have you ever seen a solar installation a roof made of Brass? Well we did one...
With the release of the new Clean Energy Council (CEC) H1 2024 report on solar and battery storage, it gives an idea of the upward path of Australia’s renewable energy adoption.
Amber & ARENA have started trials for Vehicle-to-grid technology in NSW, Australia to help develop standards and framework in V2G and Bidirectional charging.
Explore the differences between Tesla Powerwall 2 vs. Tesla Powerwall 3 solar battery storage specs, pricing, and features in Australia for homes.
Explore solar battery fire risks, hazards, and statistics, and if solar batteries are safe to install for homes in NSW, Australia. (Spoiler alert.. they are!)
Investing in your solar system has many opportunities, but should you replace your panels, upgrade with more solar, or add battery storage to your home?
Though bidirectional charging isn't available, vehicle-to-grid is already turning heads in Australia with its potential to change energy consumption and distribution.
Renewable News Articles
Not only are we specialists in solar power, but we pride ourselves in being leading installers in battery
storage, as well as EV charging for homes and businesses. For solar and battery systems, we offer both on and off-grid solutions for a
range of applications.
Newcastle's leading solar installers, providing long-lasting residential and commercial rooftop solar systems.
Experts in both residential and commercial electric vehicle charging station installations from 7kW - 360kW+.
Specialists in off-grid solar and battery, helping properties never have to pay another electricity bill again.
With decades of electrical and industry experience, our fully-qualified & licensed electricians are here to help.
Maximise your solar generation with battery storage from reputable brands to accelerate return-on-investment.
Leave a Comment