How DC fast charging works
From the electrical grid to the car's battery: what happens at each stage, why charging slows down near 80% and whether your car charges here.
- Fast charging
- 60 to 80 kW DC
- Connector
- CCS2 at all three units
- AC
- 22 kW at Pinhais (Tipo 2)
The path of energy
From the electrical grid to the car's battery, in five stages. The wave is alternating current; the straight line, direct current.
- 01 Grid
The grid delivers alternating current
Energy arrives from the utility as alternating current (AC), the same that reaches a home outlet. In the scene, the wave is the alternating current.
- 02 Panel
The panel protects the circuit
Before the charger, the electrical panel, with breakers and protections, feeds and protects the charging circuit.
- 03 Charger
The charger converts to direct current
Inside the DC charger, the alternating current becomes direct (DC), the kind the battery stores. The straight line is direct current. Converting outside the car is what allows power of 60 to 80 kW.
On AC, the charger only releases
On the AC charger, energy leaves still as alternating current. The car itself converts it, further along.
- 04 Connector
CCS2 carries direct current to the battery
The CCS2 connector has two large direct-current pins at the bottom. Through the small pins, car and charger talk before energy flows.
Type 2 carries alternating current to the car
On the 22 kW AC at Pinhais, the connector is Type 2: the top part of CCS2.
- 05 Battery
The car decides the power
The battery system asks the charger for the power it accepts. Near 80%, it reduces it to protect the cells, and charging slows down.
The onboard charger converts
On AC, the car's onboard charger converts, and it's the one that limits the speed. That's why, on AC, the real speed depends on the car.
Why 20% to 80%
With the battery between 20% and 80%, the car accepts close to the maximum the charger delivers. Near 80%, the battery system reduces the power to protect the cells, and each percentage point starts to take longer.
With a 60 kWh battery on a 60 kW DC charger, 20% to 80% takes about 40 minutes.
That's why, with fast charging, it usually pays to stop near 80% and move on.
Read the full articleHome, wallbox or DC: how long it takes
The same charge, 20% to 80% on a 60 kWh battery, in three places.
Standard outlet portable charger, 220 V
about 16 hours
Wallbox at home 7 kW AC
about 5 hours
Fast DC 60 kW DC
about 40 minutes
Basis of the calculation: 36 kWh (60% of 60 kWh) divided by the power (2.3 kW, 7 kW, 60 kW). On AC, the car's onboard charger can limit the power and lengthen the time. On DC, the power drops near 80%: that's why about 40 minutes, not 36.
Does my car charge here?
Open your car's charging flap and compare it with the drawings. You don't need to know the model: the socket answers.
Choose the socket your car has.
If in doubt, the car manual shows the socket in the charging section.
It charges on DC at all three units.
- Pinhais, 60 kW DC
- Boqueirão, 60 kW DC
- Araquari, 80 kW DC
It also charges on the 22 kW AC at Pinhais, through the top part of the socket.
The maximum power the car accepts on DC is in its manual.
Find a charge pointIt charges on the 22 kW AC at Pinhais.
The real speed depends on your car's onboard charger. On the network's DC, which uses CCS2, it doesn't charge.
See PinhaisOn the network's DC, no: it uses CCS2.
If your car also has a Type 2 inlet for AC charging, it charges on the 22 kW AC at Pinhais.
Check your car's manual.
In the charging section, look for CCS2 or Combo 2. If you're still unsure, talk to us before you go.
Ask on WhatsAppBehind every charge
Monitoring
We use AI to monitor the points. We also track the availability of each connector.
Metered billing
Energy is charged per measured kWh, with a receipt for every session.
Start and pay
Charging starts via the QR code on the charger itself. Payment is with credit card or wallet balance via Pix.
Step by stepSupport
When a point goes down, we act. Maintenance is done with partners; driver support is ours, 24 hours.
Going to charge or want a point?
A question about your car? We reply on WhatsApp.