📘 Electric Vehicle Guide

What are AC and DC charging, how do they work, how is cost calculated, which connector type does which vehicle use? Everything you need to know to understand EV technology in one page.

Sections

⚡ AC Charging 🔌 DC Fast Charging 🔧 Connector Types 💰 Cost Calculation 📈 Charging Curve 💡 Practical Tips

What is AC Charging?

AC (Alternating Current) charging is the method used in homes and public slow charging stations. The grid in Turkey supplies alternating current, so home charging is naturally AC. Typical power range is 3.7 kW to 22 kW.

How does AC charging work?

AC current from the grid is converted to DC by the OBC (Onboard Charger) inside the vehicle and delivered to the battery. So in AC charging the actual conversion is done by the vehicle itself; the station just provides the current.

      Important note: In AC charging, the bottleneck is usually the vehicle's OBC capacity. Even if the station provides 22 kW, if the vehicle's OBC is limited to 11 kW, charging will be at 11 kW. Check OBC capacity when buying a new EV.    

Common AC power levels

3.7 kW

Older / entry-level (16A single-phase)

7.4 kW

Common EVs (32A single-phase)

11 kW

Modern European EVs (16A three-phase)

22 kW

Premium / high-end (32A three-phase)

Typical charging durations

AC charging time for a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% (36 kWh):

3.7 kW: ~10 hours
7.4 kW: ~5 hours
11 kW: ~3.5 hours
22 kW: ~2 hours

What is DC Fast Charging?

DC (Direct Current) charging is the high-power method used at public fast charging stations. Current is delivered directly to the battery, bypassing the OBC. This allows much higher power than AC.

DC power levels (as of 2026)

50-150 kW

Standard fast charging (CCS, CHAdeMO)

150-250 kW

Ultra-fast (new European stations)

250-350 kW

High-power fast charging

350-500 kW

Next-gen ultra-fast charging

1 MW+

MCS — for trucks/buses

What is the Megawatt Charging System (MCS)?

MCS (Megawatt Charging System) is a new charging standard developed for heavy commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, heavy machinery). Operates at 1 MW (1,000 kW) and above. Goal: charge an 800 kWh truck battery in 30 minutes (3-5x DC levels for passenger vehicles). First installations began worldwide in 2024-2026.

      Practical info: Most current passenger EVs accept maximum 150-250 kW DC. Even if a station provides 350 kW, the vehicle can't use it. Check your vehicle's "max DC charging power" in its documentation.    

DC charging durations

DC charging time for a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% (36 kWh, including charging curve effects):

50 kW: ~45 minutes
150 kW: ~25 minutes
250 kW: ~18 minutes
350 kW: ~15 minutes

Connector Types

Different regions use different charging connectors worldwide. The common pair used in Turkey: Type 2 (AC) and CCS Combo 2 (DC).

AC Connectors

Type 1 (SAE J1772): Older American and Asian market. Single phase, max 7.4 kW. Almost non-existent in Turkey.
Type 2 (Mennekes): European and Turkish standard. Three phase, up to 22 kW.

DC Connectors

CCS Combo 1: Type 1 + DC pins. American DC standard.
CCS Combo 2: Type 2 + DC pins. European and Turkish DC standard. Supports up to 350 kW.
CHAdeMO: Japanese DC standard. Found in some older Asian-origin vehicles. Being phased out in Europe in favor of CCS2.
NACS: New connector type of North American origin. Becoming standard in the US; the same manufacturer's vehicles use CCS2 in Europe.
GB/T: Chinese DC standard. Specific to the Chinese market.
MCS: Megawatt Charging Standard. New for 1 MW+ commercial vehicles.

      Practical info for Turkey: If buying a new EV, ensure it has Type 2 (AC) + CCS2 (DC) combination. Approximately 95% of charging operators support this combination. If you buy an older model with CHAdeMO, your charging options will narrow long-term.    

How is Charging Cost Calculated?

Basic formula:

Cost = (Battery kWh × Charge %) × kWh price / Charging efficiency

Step-by-step example

Scenario: 60 kWh battery, charging from 20% to 80%:

Energy to charge: 60 × 0.60 = 36 kWh
Charging efficiency (~90%): 36 / 0.90 = 40 kWh drawn
Total cost: 40 kWh × your tariff's kWh price

Note: Fuel and electricity prices change constantly. Calculation results are approximate; actual values may vary./en/tools/charging/ac-calculator/" class="text-link">calculator.

Charging efficiencies

DC fast charging: %88-92
AC charging: %85-90
Cold weather (-10°C): 5-10% additional loss

Gasoline vs EV cost comparison

EV charging cost is significantly lower than gasoline/diesel in most cases. Typical relative ratios (per 100 km):

Home charging (AC, night tariff): 70-85% cheaper than gasoline — most economical EV usage
Public AC charging: 50-65% cheaper than gasoline, varies by operator tariff
DC fast charging: 25-45% cheaper than gasoline, difference is smaller at premium operators

Warning: These ratios are general averages. Fuel and electricity prices vary by country, period, and operator policies. Use your own fuel price and operator's kWh price for exact calculation.

➜ Try your own scenario with our calculator

Charging Curve

The charging curve shows how charging power changes with battery level. Lithium-ion batteries don't charge linearly — slow at start, fast in the middle, slow at the end.

Typical DC fast charge session

%0-20: Low power (protection if battery is very low)
%20-50: Peak power (battery charges fastest)
%50-80: Gradual power decrease
%80-100: Very slow charging (to protect battery cells)

      Practical advice: On long trips, charging to 80% and continuing is much more efficient than waiting for 100%. Most manufacturers specify DC fast charge times as "10% to 80%".    

Practical Tips

Extending battery life

Try to keep between 20-80% (except long trips)
Avoid daily DC fast charging; charge at home with AC if possible
Don't leave at high charge in extreme heat
Pre-condition battery before charging in cold weather
Charge to 100% only before long trips

Cost savings

Subscribe to 2-3 operators you use frequently (subscriber rates 20-40% cheaper)
Charge at home with cheap night tariff if possible
On trips, prefer AC stops over DC (during meal/rest breaks)
Abroad, prefer local operator apps over roaming cards

Trip planning

Plan backup stations for each DC stop on highway trips (~30 km away)
Use planning apps like Plugshare, Chargefinder, ABRP
Account for 20-30% range loss in cold weather
A/C consumes battery; pre-condition vehicle while still on charge