AC vs DC EV charging in Ireland: when each one makes sense

At Brite Ultra Sandy Road you'll see two types of bay — rapid DC and 22 kW AC. Marketing might push you towards the fast one. But at Brite both bays cost exactly the same per kWh, so the right choice comes down to how long you're staying.

Here's the real difference, why we have both, and how to choose.

The simple version

• DC (Direct Current) = rapid charging. Up to 300 kW at Brite. Done in 15–30 minutes for most cars. Heavier cable, CCS connector.
• AC (Alternating Current) = slower charging. 22 kW at Brite Sandy Road. Takes 2–8 hours depending on car. Lighter Type 2 cable, easier to handle.
• Both cost the same at Brite: €0.65/kWh weekday, €0.69 weekend, €0.55 night.

If you've got 30 minutes, use DC. If you've got 3+ hours and a hotel/shop nearby, AC is more relaxed. Same price either way — pick whichever suits your stop.

Why we offer both

Rapid DC infrastructure is genuinely expensive — the hardware costs much more per dispenser and the grid connection has to be a lot fatter. AC charging hands the conversion job to your car's onboard charger, which is smaller and simpler, but limited in how much power it can handle. Most EVs cap at 7–11 kW AC. A handful accept up to 22 kW.

We kept the pricing the same across both formats because we don't want anyone gaming the system or feeling penalised for taking the slower option. Same kWh, same price, regardless of how it's delivered.

What AC works well for at Sandy Road

1. Long stops where the car can sit

Going to a hotel in Galway? Staying for dinner at any of the nearby places? AC is your friend. Plug in, walk away, come back to a fully-charged car hours later — at the same per-kWh price as you'd pay on DC.

You can leave a car on AC at Sandy Road for up to 10 hours without an overstay fee. After that it's €6/hour.

2. Visiting Galway for the day

Park at Sandy Road on AC while you're in town. Come back to a fully-charged car at the end of the day. Cheaper than rapid DC.

3. Topping up while you run errands

If your car can take 22 kW AC, two hours equals about 44 kWh — a full charge for most family EVs. Same per-kWh price as DC; the difference is you've used the time productively somewhere else.

What DC works well for

1. You're in a hurry

20–30 minutes and back on the road. Don't think about AC.

2. Long road trips

A 20-minute DC top-up keeps you moving. A 4-hour AC charge means you've abandoned your journey.

3. Your car can't take AC fast anyway

If your car's onboard AC charger is rated at 7 kW (some older EVs), you'll only ever charge at 7 kW on AC even on a 22 kW bay. DC bypasses that limit entirely.

4. Cold weather

In cold conditions, rapid DC often includes some battery pre-conditioning from the car, which AC doesn't. In winter, DC can be more useful even for shorter top-ups.

Decision tree

Check your car's onboard AC charger

Not all EVs can use a 22 kW AC bay at full speed. Your car's manual will tell you its maximum AC charging rate. Common bands:

• 22 kW AC capable — some Renaults, certain Teslas with twin-charger options, certain newer EVs
• 11 kW AC capable — most modern family EVs (Hyundai, Kia, VW Group, Tesla standard, etc.)
• 7.4 kW AC capable — some older or budget EVs

If your car is the 7 kW class, AC at Brite Sandy Road still works — you just charge at 7 kW. Still cheap, just slower.

Why uniform pricing

Other networks band their prices (more for DC, less for AC), which can make AC look like a discount product. We didn't want that. Same price either way means you pick the bay that fits your stop, not the one that's cheapest. AC for long stops is good for the grid and good for traffic at the DC bays (fewer people block them when there's a useful alternative).

The bottom line

If you've got the time, AC is relaxed. If you've got the urgency, DC is faster. Both cost the same at Brite Sandy Road — so pick what suits your stop, not your wallet.