How do I know which public DC charger to use?

How do you know what type of public charger to use, kW speaking? I mean can you use a 185kW DC public charger if your car charges under 185kW?

John Lynch (Tipperary )

Apr 2026 Filed under: EV charging

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Expert answer

Hi John,

You can use any of them, as the charger will only deliver what the car is capable of accepting. E.g. if you have a car rated up to 100kW of DC charging, it can be plugged into a 350kW charger without any problems. It will still only charge at up to 100kW. Likewise, plug it into a 50kW charger and it will only charge at up to th charger's maximum of 50kW.

It's an unspoken rule, though, that you don't plug your EV into a more powerful charger than you need if one closer to your car's maximum is available, as you'd potentially block access to the faster charger that someone else could avail of. 

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor