The various charging connectors are one of the aspects of ownership that many prospective electric vehicle buyers find to be the most perplexing. At least five plugs are available for electric vehicles, with different manufacturers committing to one or even two.
Autocar provided a guide to make it easier for electric vehicle owners and potential buyers to navigate plugs:
1. Type 1 plug
Although the Type 2 plug has mostly replaced this five-pin connector in the UK and Europe, it is still prominently used in North America. This system can handle anything between 3kW and 7kW because it is exclusively intended for AC (Alternating Current) slow and fast charging.
It is worth noting that electric vehicles with tethered systems need an adapter that enables them to be plugged into untethered charging points.
2. Type 2 plug
The type 2 plug is widely used in Europe. Interestingly, it is occasionally referred to as the “Mennekes” in honor of the German company that created it.
Most automakers must now equip this seven-pin socket as standard on their EVs due to recent EU legislation. That said, most tethered public charging stations will feature a Type 2 plug.
Like the Type 1 plug, it is also developed to function with slow and fast charging. It can manage the 22kW that a three-phase power source delivers, but some electric vehicles cannot withstand this level of charge. Another edge over the Type 1 is that Type 2 can be locked to the car to prevent unauthorized disconnections while the vehicle is charging.
The newest Renault Zoe can take a 43kW charge at a few AC rapid charging locations. On the other hand, the Tesla Model S and Model X employ a modified Type 2 that enables them to charge at the company’s network of Superchargers and a domestic wallbox.
3. Combination Plugs (Combined Charging System, or CCS)
The most widely utilized connector for DC (Direct Current) rapid charging is the CCS. This type of plug is standard on the majority of new pure EVs. It enables you to charge at a home AC unit and a public DC rapid charger.
It integrates the 7-pin Type 2 (CCS Combo 2) or 5-pin Type 1 fixing with the heavy-duty 2-pin DC socket, while the DC connector is positioned underneath these AC plugs.
Plug the tethered CCS connector into your car to recharge at a rapid charging station. Depending on the charger and the vehicle, you can accept up to 350kW of electricity. However, the 2-pin component at the bottom is utilized to send current to the battery. It is even if the CCS connector is connected to both charger outlets in the car.
On the other hand, use your Type 2 plug for the top portion of the socket when charging at home.
4. CHAdeMO plug
CHAdeMO (Charge de Move) is a pioneering DC rapid charging solution. It was created in Japan in 2010 and is the connector of choice for Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota. Similar to the CCS system, it is used for quick charging and has a current capacity of 400kW. However, Chinese technology developers seek to increase this to 900kW.
This system specifies that the EV has two distinct plugs for rapid and slow/fast charging. Apart from the CHAdeMO plug, it necessitates the EV to have a Type 2 or Type 1 socket)
Remarkably, the capacity of the CHAdeMO to carry electrical current in two directions theoretically permits the transfer of energy from a vehicle to the grid. This developing technology enables you to sell some of the excess energy to the National Grid or partially power your home.
5. Domestic socket
This charger plugs into your home’s electrical outlet. It is attached to a compact transformer box with either a Type 1 or Type 2 connector on the other end, which you connect to the vehicle. It is important to mention that an extension lead must never be connected to it.
6. CEE plug
The plug at the power supply is referred to as a CEE plug (camping connector). It is the same kind that campgrounds use to power caravans and campers.
Notably, it can be installed in your home with a 3kW slow charge. On the other hand, it can also function with a three-phase supply to enable fast charging at up to 22kW for industrial use.
7. Tesla Supercharger
Tesla Supercharger is a fast-charging system for electric vehicles that uses 480 volts of direct current and is developed by American automaker Tesla. It was initially only accessible to Tesla owners, but it has recently become accessible to non-owners of Tesla vehicles. Each charger comes with tethered cables and a Type 2 connector compatible with rapid charging. As Model 3 becomes available, the network is also introducing CCS connectivity.
| Power | Current | Standard | |
| TYPE 1 | Max 7.4kW | Alternative current (AC) | Asia and USA |
| TYPE 2 | Max 43kW | Alternative current (AC) | European standard |
| TYPE 1 CCS COMBO | Max 350kW | Direct current (DC) | USA |
| TYPE 2 CCS COMBO | Max 350kW | Direct current (DC) | European standard |
| CHADEMO | Max 62.5kW | Direct current (DC) | Mainly in Asia |
| TESLA | Max 135kW | Direct current (DC) | USA |
There are now various kinds of connectors for charging electric vehicles, despite the push toward standardization. Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of electric vehicle owners to educate themselves on these plugs so they can optimize their charging experience.
