5 min read
DC Fast Charging
High-power charging that can add significant range in minutes
EV Expert Team
November 4, 2025
DC Fast Charging (also called Level 3 charging) delivers direct current power directly to the vehicle battery, bypassing the onboard charger. This enables much faster charging speeds compared to AC charging.
Charging Speeds
DC fast chargers typically range from 50 kW to 350 kW. A 150 kW charger can add 200-300 km of range in about 15-20 minutes for most modern EVs.
Common Standards
- CCS (Combined Charging System) - Used in Europe and North America
- CHAdeMO - Japanese standard, less common in new vehicles
- GB/T - Chinese standard for DC charging
- Tesla Supercharger - Proprietary but opening to other brands
Charging Curve
DC fast charging follows a charging curve - it is fastest from 10-80% state of charge, then slows down to protect battery health. Most drivers charge to 80% on road trips for optimal time efficiency.
Tags:
charging
DC
fast charging
CCS
infrastructure