What’s the difference between the charging types AC, DC, and HPC?

Whether charging at home or on the road, Porsche electrified vehicles can charge using two types of electrical current: Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC).

Both methods do the same thing – charge your car – but they differ in how they work and the speeds they offer:

AC (Alternating Current) charging is the most common charging method for everyday use and is typically used at home, work, or anywhere you plan to park for an extended period. It’s usually slower and is generally well suited for charging at home or wherever the vehicle will be parked for an extended time. DC (Direct Current) charging is designed for convenient, rapid charging while traveling, helping you add range during shorter stops. While both BEVs and PHEVs can charge using AC, DC charging is only available for BEVs. HPC – which stands for High-Power Charging – is part of DC technology designed to provide a higher charging power when supported by the vehicle and charging station.

Learn more about the physical basics, the differences and unique features of the charging methods – as well as information about charging plugs and cables – in this article.

Applicable models

All BEVs & PHEVs 

What is the difference between AC and DC power? 

The electricity that comes from a household socket is AC, but vehicle batteries can only store DC power. This means the electricity must be converted before it can be stored in the vehicle's battery.

What role does charging power play and what does kW mean? 

Charging power is measured in kilowatts (kW). Put simply, higher available kW value can allow your car to charge faster, depending on the vehicle and charging conditions. This is similar to how the more gallons per minute a fuel pump can produce can help speed up the refueling process.

Good to know: The weakest link determines the charging power. This means that charging power and time are limited by the weakest component or condition – be it the car, the cable you use, the charging station or the grid connection. For example, if the charging station only supplies 150 kW, the charging power is limited to that – even if the car supports a higher charging rate.

What defines AC charging and when should I use it?

The main difference between AC and DC charging is where the alternating current (from the power grid) is converted into direct current (for charging the battery). With AC charging, this conversion happens inside the car by the On-Board Charger (OBC). With AC charging, the maximum power you can achieve is up to 19 kW depending on the available infrastructure and the OBC. In contrast, DC (or HPC) charging can deliver up to 400 kW.

At home, AC charging is typically used, for example with the Porsche Mobile Charger. While the charging power is much lower compared to a DC station, this usually doesn’t make a big difference for everyday use because you are parked and charging for a long time anyway.

What defines DC and HPC charging and when should I use it?

DC is the foundation for fast charging when using public charging infrastructure. When charging at a DC or HPC station, the On-Board Charger (OBC) is bypassed because the conversion from AC to DC happens directly inside the charging station. DC charging is generally well suited for situations where you want to charge your car quickly, for example during a road trip or while stopping along the highway. It can also be a convenient option during everyday routines, such as shopping, grabbing a coffee, or running quick errands, as it can give your car a fast boost even during short stops. DC charging generally refers to public fast charging. High-Power Charging (HPC) is the highest-performance form of DC charging and typically refers to charging stations capable of delivering more than 150 kW.

The Cayenne Electric sets new benchmarks in High Power Charging with approximately 16 minutes charging time from 10% to 80% SoC under optimal conditions (DC charging uses a CCS fast charging pedestal with > 390 kW, > 850 V, > 520 A, battery temperature 15 °C and initial SoC 9%)).

Which port and plug types are used for AC or DC charging?

Note: The following information applies to American standards.

For AC charging in North America, Porsche vehicles use either a J1772 connector or the North American Charging Standard (NACS), depending on the charging equipment and vehicle configuration. For fast DC charging, Porsche vehicles support CCS or NACS charging where available.

Depending on your vehicle and charging equipment, to charge at your home charging station, you’ll usually need a Type 1 plug (J1772) or NACS connector. Public AC charging stations may also use these connectors. For fast DC charging, a CCS plug (Combined Charging System) or NACS connector is used.

Porsche BEVs are equipped with both an AC-capable and a separate DC-capable plug while the PHEVs come with one of the AC-capable charging connections above.

Where can I find the charging ports on my Porsche? 

The charging port position depends on whether you use AC or DC charging. These illustrations are showing for the Macan Electric, Cayenne Electric and Taycan where the charging ports are located. Please refer to your car’s Owner’s Manual to check if there are more specific details for your model.