Although there is only one connection under the Tesla charging socket cover, the vehicle can be charged with both AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). But which is actually better?
Tesla AC charging vs. Tesla DC charging
The short answer is: In principle, it doesn't matter to the battery whether it is charged via AC or DC - only DC ever arrives. This is ensured by the inverter installed in every Tesla, which converts incoming alternating current into direct current and simply "lets through" incoming direct current.
DC charging Tesla: it's the power that counts
Much more interesting is the question of what amperageor power is used for charging. Fast charging with high charging power may be convenient, but it is much more damaging to the battery than slow charging with low charging power. And this is where the difference between AC and DC comes into play: As a rule, direct current charging stations have considerably more power than alternating current charging stations.
Tesla AC charging 22 kW: So is AC better?
In addition, the possible AC charging power at Tesla is between 11 kW and a maximum of 16.5 kW, depending on the model. More is not possible with AC - even if a 22 kW AC charging station is available. By way of comparison, newer Tesla models achieve up to 250 kW at the Supercharger, which works with direct current (DC).
This makes it clear why AC charging is much more battery-friendly in practice than DC charging. However, the battery is not the only part of the car that is stressed during charging. When charging with alternating current, the inverter becomes active, as mentioned at the beginning - direct current charging is therefore advantageous in order to protect it.
Conclusion: AC vs. DC charging Tesla
So if you are asking yourself the question: "Should I charge my Tesla Model 3 DC or AC?", the answer is as follows: If the charging power is the same, the battery doesn't care about the charging method, but in practice DC will usually be significantly more powerful and therefore more damaging. On the other hand, DC protects the on-board inverter. A good compromise is therefore to charge with AC, but if possible not to use the maximum possible charging power.
Do you have any experience with your Tesla's charging practices? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below.
Source contribution image: Ernie Journeys via Unsplash
