EV charging: the different types of connection

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Whether you want to charge your electric car at home, at work or at a public station, one thing is important: the connection of the charging station must match the connection of your car. To be precise, the cable connecting the charging station to your car must have the right plug at both ends. It is not difficult at all, but it is important. The wrong plug on your cable will not allow you to charge, but remember that there are always adapters available.

Type 1 and type 2 plugs for AC charging

There are four types of plugs: two for alternating current (AC), with which you can charge up to 43 kW, and two for direct current (DC), with which you can theoretically fast charge up to 350 kW.

Let's start with AC charging. There are two types of AC plugs: type 1 is a single-phase plug and is often used on EVs and the first PHEVs from America and Asia. It allows you to charge your electric car at a rate of usually 3.7 kW. The maximum is 11 kW.

Type 2 plugs can allow more current to flow through the maximum three-phase cables. Up to a maximum of 43 kW alternating current. The maximum charging speed is 11 kW in practically all home connections. 22 kW is sometimes found at public charging stations, but then the electric car has to be able to cope.

Two types of plugs for DC

There are two types of plugs for DC charging. Firstly, CHAdeMO: this fast charging system was developed in Japan and enables very high charging speeds, as well as bi-directional charging. Also known as bi-directional charging. By the way, did you know that bi-directional home chargers are on the rise? Asian car manufacturers supply electric cars that are compatible with a CHAdeMO plug. The maximum DC charging rate of CHAdeMO is often 100 kW. By the way, an EV with a CHAdeMO connector always has a separate AC connection.

And then there is the CCS plug: the CCS plug is an improved version of the type 2 plug, with two extra power contacts for fast charging. This plug supports AC and DC charging. This means that you do not need two separate connections as with CHAdeMO. The charging speeds of CCS are also much higher. The new Hyundai and Kia cars, as well as Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT can already achieve charging speeds of 200 to 300 kW. CCS can currently deliver a maximum of 350 kW to an electric car. 

Fixed cable

In Europe, the type 2 AC charger with a three-phase plug is the standard, and most charging stations have a type 2 connection. But beware, some charging stations have a fixed cable. A fixed cable can be very useful in places where you always charge the same car, such as at home or at a fixed parking place at work. The advantage is that you do not need to carry a cable in your car. If you charge your car at a public charging station with a fixed cable, you should check whether the connected cable fits your car's charging socket.

Examples

Let's look at two short examples. If you live in Europe and have a European car like the Renault ZOE, you can charge it at a public station using a charging cable with type 2 plugs at both ends (type 2 to type 2) with a maximum of 22 kW. That's the maximum the Renault ZOE can handle on alternating current (AC).

Link to EraCharge

And what about if you live in Europe and drive an Asian car like the Nissan LEAF? Then you'll need a cable that connects the Type 2 connector of the charging station to the Type 1 charging socket of your car (Type 2 to Type 1). The maximum charging speed is then 7.4 kW.

Remember that there are always cables with the right plugs for you, but make sure you buy the right ones.

Looking to buy or lease your first electric vehicle (EV)? You'll need to understand how to charge it up, which type of connector to use and which chargers are the best for you. Our expert guide will tell you everything you need to know...

At first the number of different connectors, sockets and chargers may seem daunting compared to filling up a petrol or diesel car with fuel. If you're able to charge your electric car at home then it'll be straightforward, but long journeys relying on public charging networks can be fraught with difficulty. 

It all seems complicated at first, but is actually quite straightforward once you get into a rhythm. The process is also becoming easier all the time, as the public charging network expands and EV plug types become more standardised.

EV chargers are classed as ultra-rapid, rapid, fast and slow, depending on their speed. This guide explains what the different electric car plug types, EV connector types and charging cables are, helping you identify which one you need.

Quick reference to common EV connectors

Type 1: This connector is found on some older electric cars such as the early Nissan Leaf, but an adaptor is usually included to make it compatible with Type 2

Type 2: The vast majority of electric cars sold in the UK use this connector type for slow and fast AC charging 

CHAdeMO: This connector type is used by some EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, but is being phased out on newer Nissan models

CCS combo type 1: This connector type is not found in the UK and Europe. It is generally used in North American and Asian markets 

CCS combo type 2: The vast majority of electric cars sold in the UK use this connector type for rapid (DC) charging

For more information, please visit Ac Type 2 Ev Charger.