What are the different types of charging connectors?
How to find out among all the existing connectors? Do I have the right cable to be able to charge everywhere? What type of charging station do I have to look for when I’m on the highway to refuel?
Here are some of the questions that an electric vehicle driver often asks.
charging plugs
Type 2
Max 43kW
Alternative current (AC)
European standard
Also known as Mennekes type connector, the Type 2 is the standard for Europe.
This connector allows charging up to 22kW on private terminals and up to 43kW on public stations.
The Type 2 connector with its CCS version is the most widely used for electric and hybrid plug-in vehicles in Europe.
Type 2 CCS Combo
Max 350kW
Direct current (DC)
European standard
This is the CCS Combo or Combined Charging System version of the Type 2 plug. This connector allows fast charging on public DC terminals.
It has been developed to expand the Type 2 connector’s power capabilities, which can now be up to 350kW.
CHAdeMO
Max 62.5kW
Direct current (DC)
Mainly in Asia
This connector was created in Japan. It allows charging powers up to 62.5kW.
It is mostly used in Japan and China, but we can also find it on some older electric and hybrid plug-in cars in Europe.
Type 1
Max 7.4kW
Alternative current (AC)
Asia and USA
Single-phase Type 1 connector that can charge up to 7.4kW (230V / 32A).
It is mainly used on Asian cars, in the United States and quite rarely in Europe.
It is among the first connectors ever developed for electric and hybrid plug-in vehicles.
Type 1 CCS Combo
Max 350kW
Direct current (DC)
USA
This is the CCS Combo or Combined Charging System version of the Type 1 plug. This connector allows fast charging on public DC terminals.
It has been developed to extend the capabilities of the Type 1 connector in terms of power, which can now be up to 350kW.
Tesla
Max 135kW
Tesla Supercharger
USA
This proprietary connector type is used by Tesla cars on the american supercharger network.
First Tesla available in Europe also have that connector. It allows charging with a power of up to 135kW.
On its most recent cars, this manufacturer has switched to a modified version of the Type 2 connector, in order to take advantage of the growing infrastructure of recharging stations in Europe.
More information...
Despite the trend towards standardization, there are currently several types of connectors for charging electric vehicles. This can be explained by the development of the first models that was done without legal rules about a European standard connector.
Fortunately the Type 2 connector has been adopted in Europe, together with its Combo CCS version for very fast recharging on public terminals. It is the standard for the European Union starting from 2025. The great majority of vehicles and charging stations are already equipped with this connector nowadays.
Nevertheless, there are still older or foreign electric cars that embed other types of connectors, so it is not always easy to understand which plug you need. As each continent has its preferences regarding one or another standard, the existence of this multitude of connectors, depending on the geographical area, is well on its way to last.
The list provided above gives information about the most used connectors that are currently used for recharging electric vehicles.
