Connector types

For charging electric vehicles, there are different types of connectors (outlet, plug, inlet). Different car brands use different types of connectors. This depends on the region where they are most commonly used and AC or DC charging.

Here are the main charging connectors you may encounter internationally:

  1. Type 1 (SAE J1772): The Type 1 connector, also known as the SAE J1772 connector, is commonly used in North America and some Asian countries. It is a standard for Mode 1 and Mode 2 AC charging and has a 5-pin configuration.
  2. Type 2 (IEC 62196): The Type 2 connector, also known as the IEC 62196 connector or Mennekes connector, is widely used in Europe. It is a standard for both Mode 1 and Mode 2 AC charging and supports higher charging power compared to Type 1. Type 2 connectors have a 7-pin configuration.
  3. Type 3 (IEC 62196): The Type 3 connector, specified in IEC 62196, is mainly used in France and some other European countries. It is also an AC charging connector and supports both mode 1 and mode 2 charging. Type 3 connectors have a 5-pin configuration and offer additional safety features compared to Type 2.
  4. Combo 1 (SAE J1772 Combo): The Combo 1 connector, also known as SAE J1772 Combo or CCS Type 1, is a combined AC and DC charging connector used primarily in North America. It integrates the Type 1 AC charging connector with additional DC charging capabilities, enabling DC fast charging using the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard.
  5. Combo 2 (IEC 62196-3): The Combo 2 connector, also known as the IEC 62196-3 connector or CCS Type 2, is a combined AC and DC charging connector commonly used in Europe, North America and other areas. It integrates the Type 2 AC charging connector with additional DC charging capabilities, enabling DC fast charging using the CCS (Combined Charging System) standard. It is important to note that while these connectors are widely used, there may be regional variations and specific implementations of the standards. In addition, some countries or regions may have their own unique connectors or adapters to meet local charging requirements.

The European Commission has designated the Mennekes Type 2 connector as the standard for normal AC charging up to 22kW at home and 43kW at public charging stations. In order to charge the car with both alternating and direct current, the CCS Combo 2 connector has been the standard since 2017. Almost all new electric cars are equipped with this type of connector. Direct current charging is hereby possible up to 350kW. To handle even higher charging capacities, there are currently many developments in the field of liquid-cooled CCS1 and CCS2 connectors.

Below is an overview of the most common connectors.


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