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’ll need to understand both EV chargers and EV connectors, and whilst these are often 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 be used only in an emergency when no alternative is available. This is because a standard 3-pin plug provides the slowest possible charging for an EV, with an average rate of just 8 miles per hour.
If you're in a situation where your EV is running low on battery and can’t find 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 among the original electric car charger types and can still be found on older models, such 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 it is decreasing, though Asian manufacturers (e.g., Nissan and Mitsubishi) typically prefer it. Type 1 is a five-pin connector that runs only 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 called a 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 has 7 pins and, like the Type 1, supports 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 via a Type 2 connector, with 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 required all public charging stations to provide a Type 2 connector. Because of this legislation, most European electric vehicle manufacturers (e.g., Audi, BMW, Renault, Mercedes, VW, and Volvo) have fitted 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 also on the Tesla Model 3. Tesla has also begun offering CCS charging adapters for the Model X and Model S.
The CCS connector type has 9 pins arranged across 2 sections. The upper section features seven pins and will be either a Type 1 fixing or a Type 2 CCS combo fixing, depending on the car model. 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
CHAdeMO (Charge de Move) was one of the first DC charging standards 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 charging and one for flow/fast charging. This means it requires a larger access flap.
What is convenient, though, is that all charging stations that support CCS also have 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
In addition to the different connector types, you should also be aware of the various 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 in households and, as the name implies, are the slowest way to charge 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 charger, 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 are 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 suitable 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 deliver charging rates of 7-22kW. Although most are suitable for Type 1 and Tesla connector types, Level 2 charges can also provide 25kW DC charging for CHAdeMO and CCS types.
As the most common charger type, you'll easily 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, rated up to 7kW.
Depending on your vehicle's maximum charging rate and the charger's power output, fast charging can deliver 12 to 80 miles of range per hour.
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers - Level 3
Using a rapid charger is the fastest way to charge your electric car, with an average charging speed of 3 to 20 miles per minute! They differ from Level 1 and 2 chargers because they use DC power, making them suitable only for CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla EV connectors.
Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers require 480+ volts, which is higher than the 240 volts required by Level 1 and 2 chargers. For this reason, rapid chargers are only found publicly (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 deliver up to 50kW and use the CSS or CHAdeMO charging standards. How long it takes to charge an electric car depends on your EV's battery capacity, but a rapid charger can charge your car to 80% in 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 deliver power of up to 100kW, with some even capable of 350kW. Charging time typically lasts 20-40 minutes. Ultra-rapid charging is only available with CCS or CHAdeMO connectors.
Tesla Supercharger
The Tesla Supercharger Network is a network of over 2,500 superchargers that can only be used by Tesla EV owners, such as the Model S, Model Y, Model X, and Model 3. Other electric cars cannot charge at Tesla Superchargers, 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. Every new electric car will come with one or both types of cable, which you'll find 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 your cable.
The benefit of tethered cables is reduced risk of loss, as the cable is permanently attached.
Untethered
Untethered charging cables you take with you require you to plug one end into the charging point and the other 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 chargers convert AC from the grid using a converter. 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 the conversion still has to take place inside your EV, which adds to 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 when it comes to charging options. 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!
