Type 1 Vehicle Connector
The Type 1 vehicle connector (also known as an SAE J1772 or ‘J plug’) is a 5-pin connector, designed for 120 V / 240 V single phase electrical systems – the North American (and Japanese) standard.
In UK and Europe 220-230 V electrical systems Type 1 connectors are uncommon, and instead a Type 2 connector is used. A manual locking mechanism is a common feature of Type 1 connectors, which may be used alongside a padlock for extra security.
Vehicles with a Type 1 connector are compatible with Mode 3 Charging - also known as ‘Fast’ charging. Mode 3 charges your electric vehicle at either 16A (3.6kWh) or 32A (7.2kWh), although your maximum charge rate is determined by the charging station, vehicle, and cable used.
‘Fast’ charge stations can be found at service stations and larger businesses such as retail parks and leisure centres, on main routes or at long-stay car parks. At EV Wired we provide Type 1 charging cables with either a Type 1 or 13A 3-pin Plug vehicle connector.
Type 2 Vehicle Connector
The Type 2 vehicle connector is the standard charging plug within the UK and Europe, for single-phase or three-phase AC charging.
Type 2 connectors are also known as IEC 62196 or ‘mennekes’ (after the connector type’s original manufacturer). All new and recent electric vehicles in the UK and Europe feature a Type 2 socket. Type 2 connectors have 7-pins and automatically lock into the vehicle charge port while charging.
Electric vehicles with Type 2 connectors are also compatible with Mode 3 (or ‘Fast’) charging, at a rate of either 16A (3.6kWh) or 32A (7.2kWh) between your vehicle and the charging station.
Type 2 Vehicles also have the added advantage of being able to use 3 Phase charging up to 22kWh. The maximum charge rate will depend on the rating of the charging station, your vehicle, and the type 2 EV charging cable used.
‘Fast’ charge stations can be found at places such as: service stations, long-stay car parks, and leisure centres, on common routes. At EV Wired, we offer a range of Type 2 EV charging cables, with Type 2 male and female plug ends.
Type 2 Combined Charging System (CCS) Vehicle Connector
A Type 2 CCS vehicle connector is a Type 2 connector supplemented with 2 direct current (DC) pins, with four alternating current (AC) pins removed. The additional two high-current and voltage DC pins allow for ‘Rapid’ DC charging. Despite the differences in appearance, standard Type 2 plugs can also be connected to Type 2 CCS sockets via a 16A or 32A cable to receive a ‘Fast’ AC charge.
As with public ‘Fast’ charging points, ‘Rapid’ DC charging stations simply require you to connect the station’s cable to your vehicle to charge. All DC stations provide their own tethered charging cables (like a petrol pump).
These ‘Rapid’ DC charging stations use the CCS charging port on your vehicle to provide power at 50 kW (125A), though not all vehicles can charge at ‘Rapid’ speeds (low-range Hybrid vehicles, for instance). However, the majority of full electric vehicles are compatible with CCS or CHAdeMO.
CHAdeMO Vehicle Connector
Another type of DC connector is CHAdeMO, which can be found on various Type 1 and Type 2 vehicles. As with CCS, CHAdeMO offers a ‘Rapid’ DC charge, though the CHAdeMO socket is a separate port found alongside the standard Type 1 or Type 2 AC charging port.
CCS sockets are an ‘extension’ to Type 2 sockets and are not Type 1-compatible. CHAdeMO was very popular with early Type 1 electric vehicles, however, now is (along with Type 1 vehicles) uncommon.
As with public ‘Fast’ charging points, ‘Rapid’ DC charging stations simply require you to connect the station’s cable to your vehicle in order to charge. All DC stations provide their own tethered charging cables, eliminating the need to buy a ‘Rapid’ charge cable.
These ‘Rapid’ DC charging stations provide power at 50kW (125A), though not all vehicles are able to charge at ‘Rapid’ speeds (low-range Hybrid vehicles, for instance). However, the majority of full electric vehicles are compatible with CCS or CHAdeMO.
