What are the Connector Types?

Type 1

The Type 1 5-pin vehicle connector (SAE J1772 or ‘J plug’) is designed for 120V/240V single phase electrical systems – the North American and Japanese standard. As the domestic mains electricity standard in the UK and Europe is 220-230 V, the Type 1 connector is less common and Type 2 is more common.

Vehicles with a Type 1 connector use Mode 2 or Mode 3 charging cables between your electric vehicle and a charging station at either 16A (3.6kW) or 32A (7.2kW). The maximum charge rate is determined by what charging station, vehicle and cable used.

Type 2

The Type 2 7-pin vehicle connector (IEC 62196 or ‘mennekes’) is standard within the UK and EU for single-phase or three-phase AC charging. Most vehicles in the UK and Europe have a Type 2 socket. Type 2 connectors lock automatically into the vehicle charge port while charging.

Vehicles with Type 2 connector use Mode 2 or Mode 3 charging cables between your electric vehicle and a charging station at either 16A (3.6kW) or 32A (7.2kW). The maximum charge rate is determined by what charging station, vehicle and cable used.

Vehicles with Type 2 connector can also use Three Phase ‘fast’ charging up to 22kW when used with a 22kW charging cable. The maximum charge rate will depend on the rating of the charging station and vehicle. The maximum charge rate is determined by what charging station, vehicle and cable used.

‘Fast’ charge stations can be found in car parks, service stations, supermarkets and larger businesses.

Type 2 Combined Charging System (CCS)

A Type 2 CCS Vehicle connector is a Type 2 connector supplemented with 2 direct current (DC) pins which enable high-current and voltage DC pins for ‘Rapid’ DC charging. Standard Type 2 plugs can also be connected to Type 2 CCS sockets via a 16A or 32A cable to receive a standard charge.

DC stations have tethered (attached) charging cables and use the CCS charging port on the vehicle to provide power at 50kW (125A).  Note: not all vehicles can charge at ‘Rapid’ speeds.

CHAdeMO

A CHAdeMO is also a DC connector that can be found on Type 1 and Type 2 vehicles. As with CCS, CHAdeMO offers a ‘Rapid’ DC charge, though the CHAdeMO socket is a distinct, separate port found alongside the standard Type 1 or Type 2 AC charging port. The CHAdeMO can be found on early Type 1 electric vehicles.