The sale of new diesel and petrol cars is set to be phased out from 2030, meaning that every driver in the UK will have to switch to electric driving at some point in the not too distant future. Although an EV technically drives the same as a petrol or diesel vehicle, charging is different and something that will take motorists some time to get used to. And perhaps unsurprisingly, many motorists are already doing their research into what owning an EV means for them, how convenient it is and whether or not they’re ready to make the switch.
One of the biggest discussion topics amongst those considering buying an EV is charging; including how long it takes, how much it costs and how it works. And in this guide, we’ll help you to understand the different types of electric car chargers currently available, as well as the different types of connectors.
EV chargers vs EV connectors
When considering purchasing an EV, you’re going to need to understand about both EV chargers and EV connectors, and whilst these often get confused, there’s a key difference.
An EV charger is the unit or method of charging, whilst a connector is the method of connecting the charger to your car.
Let’s learn more about both EV connectors and EV chargers.
The different types of EV connectors
One thing that confuses many first-time EV owners is that there isn’t just one type of EV connector. In many ways, it’s no different to needing different charging cables for different mobile phones.
Here’s a look at the different types of EV connectors:
UK 3 pin plug
Many EVs come with EVSE cables that are compatible with standard UK 3-pin plugs.
Although handy, this type of connector is not recommended for daily use and should only be relied upon in an emergency where no alternative is available. This is because a standard 3 pin plug offers the slowest charge possible for an EV, with an average rate of just 8 miles of charge per hour.
If you're in a situation where your EV is running out of battery and can’t locate a suitable charging station, you could use a UK 3 pin plug point to top up. But, with only an average power rating of 2.3kW, it should not be used as your only connector or for overnight charging, especially when better options exist.
Type 1
Type 1 chargers were one of the original electric car charger types and can still be found on older models of such cars as the Kia Soul EV and the first-generation Nissan Leaf.
Some newer cars also use this connector type, including the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, however, the number of new vehicles using this is decreasing, although Asian manufacturers (e.g. Nissan and Mitsubishi) typically prefer this type. Type 1 is a five-pin connector and only runs on alternating current.
Interestingly, this connector type can be used for both slow and fast charging, with a power rating range of 3 - 7kW. Type 1 is sometimes referred to as J-plug.
Type 2
Type 2 connectors are considered the universal EV connector type and are found on most electric cars. Sometimes referred to as Mennekes (the name of the German company that produces this connector type), it consists of 7 pins and, like the Type 1, can perform both fast and slow charging.
Type 2 has a power rating range of 7kW to 43kW and runs on AC. Tesla Superchargers can also provide DC charging through a Type 2 connector, which has a charging speed of 250kW. On an AC, this type can provide enough charge for 25 miles, while on a DC, it can charge enough for 375 miles in an hour.
Type 2 became the standard EU connector type in 2017 when EU legislation stated that all public charging stations must provide a Type 2 connector. Because of this legislation, most European electric vehicle manufacturers (e.g. Audi, BMW, Renault, Mercedes, VW and Volvo) fit new models with Type 2 charging compatibility.
Combined Charging System (CCS)
Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors are the most prominent DC (Direct Current) charging type available on tethered rapid chargers. It is most commonly found on European EV models and can also be found on the Tesla Model 3. Tesla has also started providing CCS charging adapters for Model X and Model S.
The CCS connector type comes with nine pins spread across two sections. The upper section features seven pins and will either be a Type 1 fixing or a Type 2 CCS combo fixing, depending on the model of the car. This upper section is also compatible with an AC charger or a home wallbox. The lower section features a 2-pin DC socket.
The current top charging speed of the CCS charging type is 350kW and can provide enough charge for 525 miles within 1 hour.
CHAdeMO
The CHAdeMO (Charge de Move) was one of the first DC charging types available for electric vehicles. It is the Japanese counterpart to the CCS and is often found on Toyota, Subaru, Nissan, and Mitsubishi models.
The CHAdeMO is less convenient than the CCS as it requires two separate plugs: one for rapid and one for flow/fast. This means it requires a larger access flap.
What is convenient, though, is that all charging stations that feature CCS compatibility also feature a CHAdeMO plug point.
CHAdeMO charging points can currently provide a rapid charging speed of 400kW. Manufacturers are currently looking for ways for the CHAdeMO to offer a charging speed of 900kW.
The different types of electric car chargers
On top of the different connector types, you should also be aware of the different types of chargers and charging stations. There are three levels of charging stations, from AC slow chargers right up to ultra-rapid DC chargers.
The different types of electric car chargers are as follows:
Slow chargers
Level 1 slow charging ports are often used as household outlets and, as the name implies, are the slowest means of charging your electric car. To use a Level 1, you'll need either a Type 1 or a Tesla connector type.
Typically using a 3 Pin household outlet, Slow Chargers usually have a rating of between 2.3kW and 3kW, giving them a charging speed of 3-5 miles an hour. This means that it can take up to 14 hours to fully charge an EV using a Level 1, depending on the battery capacity.
Level 1 charging points are only recommended for those who don't need to travel far daily (and therefore don’t need to charge regularly), or for use in an emergency when no other charging options is available, as, given the large battery capacity of most new EVs, it'll take too long for a Level 1 to provide sufficient charge.
With this in mind, Level 1 charging points are often only a good idea for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, as they tend to have smaller batteries and therefore require less time to charge fully.
Fast chargers - Level 2
Fast chargers are currently the most common charger type and can provide a charge rating of between 7kW and 22kW. Although most are suitable for Type 1 and Tesla connector types, Level 2 charges can also provide 25kW DC charging for CHAdeMO and CSS types.
Being the most common charger type, you'll easily be able to find electric car charging stations in public with fast chargers, including at supermarkets, shopping centres, retail parks, leisure centres, and other popular public destinations. They tend to be untethered units, although some public and workplace units may have cables attached.
You’ll also find that many home EV chargers are fast chargers, offering a rating of up to 7kW.
Depending on your vehicle's maximum charge rate and the charger's power output, fast charging can provide a range of 12 to 80 miles worth of power per hour.
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers - Level 3
Using a rapid charger is the fastest means of charging your electric car, with an average charging speed of 3 to 20 miles per minute! They differ from Level 1 and 2 chargers as they use DC energy, making them appropriate only for CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla EV connectors.
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers require 480+ volts, which is higher than Level 1 and 2 chargers. For this reason, rapid chargers are only found publically (most commonly at motorway service stations), as residential homes cannot offer this level of voltage. Cables are always tethered to the rapid and ultra-rapid charger unit.
Rapid chargers
Rapid chargers can provide a maximum power of 50kW and use the CSS or the CHAdeMO charging standard. How long it takes to charge an electric car depends on your EV's battery capacity, but a rapid charger has the potential to charge your car to 80% within 20 minutes. However, they can take an hour to reach this level of charge for bigger capacities.
Ultra-rapid chargers
Ultra-rapid charge points can provide a power of upwards of 100kW, with some even capable of producing 350kW. Charging time typically lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. Ultra-rapid charging can only be used with CCS or CHAdeMO connectors.
Tesla Supercharger
The Tesla Supercharger Network is a series of over 2,500 superchargers that can only be used by owners of Tesla EVs, such as the Model S, Model Y, Model X, and Model 3. Other electric cars will not be able to charge up at a Tesla Supercharger, and even some early Tesla models, such as the Roadster, are incompatible.
There are three types of Tesla Superchargers: V1, V2, and V3. V1 and V2 are the oldest types and can only offer a charging speed of 150kW, whereas the newest version, the V3, has a top charging speed of 250kW.
Types of charging cables
There are two types of charging cables for electric car charging: tethered and untethered ev charging cables. Every new electric car will either come with one or both types of cable, which you'll be able to find either in the boot or under the bonnet.
Tethered
Tethered cables are used for rapid and ultra-rapid charging. Similar to a petrol pump, tethered cables are connected permanently to the charging unit and cannot be removed. Sometimes, there will be a space at the charging station for you to fit your cable.
The benefit of tethered cables is less risk of losing them, as the cable is permanently attached.
Untethered
Untethered are charging cables you take with you, requiring you to plug one end into the charging point and the other end into your car.
How do AC and DC affect charging speed?
Your electric car battery will always require DC electricity. The key difference between AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) fast chargers is that DC charging ports convert the AC from the grid using a current convertor. This means that it can feed DC electricity directly into your EV.
This is different from an AC charging port as it can only feed AC electricity into your car, meaning that the conversion still has to take place inside your EV, which adds additional charging time. DC ports can provide rapid charging, while AC ports cannot.
Final thoughts
Switching from a petrol or diesel vehicle to an electric car can be daunting, particularly regarding the options for charging electric vehicles. Familiarising yourself with the type of connector you have and the type of charger suitable for your car could save you a lot of hassle on the road!
