Illustrated glossary · EV charging: kW vs kWh
Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging: kW vs kWh
Kilowatts (kW) measure charging power: how fast energy is supplied. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure energy. Level 1 and Level 2 supply AC through the car’s onboard charger; DC fast charging supplies DC through a different path to the battery.
See how it works
Switch the supply and the car’s AC limit. Find which part limits the example power.
Example supply
Example car’s AC limit
The supply can provide 11.5 kW; the car’s 7.2 kW AC limit reduces that power. Real battery charging varies with charge level, temperature, taper and losses.
Invented supply and vehicle limits, not specifications for the cars below. The energy calculation assumes constant power with no losses, heating or taper. It is not a charging-time prediction.
AC power goes through the onboard charger
In the US, Level 1 normally uses a 120-volt supply. Level 2 uses 208 or 240 volts. The vehicle converts AC into DC. The supply and can each limit power.
DC fast charging uses another conversion path
The station converts power to DC before supplying the car. Raising the car’s AC charger rating does not raise its DC fast-charge limit. Both the station and vehicle must support the connection and requested power.
Peak power is not an average
At a constant 7.2 , one hour supplies 7.2 before losses. Real charging power changes with battery charge, temperature and other limits. A station’s headline power does not establish the rate your vehicle will receive.
Explore it on a vehicle
Pick an equipped build to explore. Prices before .
2026 Tesla Model Y
About these examples
Year-specific examples from our catalogs, not a complete market list. A missing vehicle or trim does not establish that the feature is unavailable. Each illustration and link uses the shown build. Unknown prices stay unknown.
2026 Tesla Model Y
Battery EV examples with catalogued peak DC charging limits. No battery capacity or sustained charging rate is inferred from those peaks.
Our Model Y data has five refreshed 2026 US short-body variants, matched EPA records, equipment and reported prices. It doesn't have live US configurator price or combination verification, every wheel and seating EPA rating, Model Y L or pre-refresh cars yet, so something missing from this page may still be offered.