AC power is the standard electricity delivered by utility grids to homes and shops. The current reverses its flow direction 60 times per second (in the US). Heavy workshop machinery like tire changers, vehicle lifts, and air compressors rely on 240V AC power to run heavy electric motors.
Although vehicle batteries store direct current (DC), electric vehicles use AC power for everyday charging. The EV's onboard charger takes AC from a wall outlet or Level 2 charger and converts it into DC to charge the car's battery pack.
Traditional cars use AC power internally as well. The alternator generates alternating current, which is more efficient to produce than DC. The alternator's internal rectifiers then convert this AC into DC to charge the car battery.