The charging plug is one of the overlooked important parts of EV charging. Most EV owners aren’t even aware that it’s there, while others don’t know much about it.
At the end of this article, you should know what an EV plug is and its types.
What Is An EV Charging Plug?
An electric vehicle charging plug is the connector that goes into the charging socket when charging your electric vehicle.
The plugs for electric vehicles differ based on socket type (different countries have different socket and plug types), the brand of the electric vehicle, the charging level and the country it is made in.
Don’t be confused. If you’re from the UK, you’ll be able to find a socket and plug matching combo that fits with the socket guidelines of the UK. For a convenient search, you can use the best EV charging app UK. To buy an electric car with the correct charging plug, check out their differences
Types Of EV Charging Plugs
EV charging plugs are classified into AC chargers and DC chargers.
Charging Plugs Based on AC Chargers
- Type 1 Charging Plug;
- Type 2 Charging Plug;
- GB/T Charging Plug.
Type 1 Charging Plug
Type 1 charging plugs are single-phase plugs with a power output of 7.4 kW. They are very popular in Japan and North America and are commonly referred to as SAE J1772. Due to their low power output, type 1 charging plugs are used for level 1 home charging.
Type 2 Charging Plug
Type 2 plugs are made in Germany, and they are the standard plug type for Europe. They have three phases and can handle more electricity than type 1 plugs. Known as Mennekes, type 2 charging plugs can carry as much as 43 kW in public charging stations and 22 kW in private charging stations. It is also used for level 2 charging.
GB/T Charging Plug
The third type of charging plug for AC is the Guobiao plug, designed by China for Chinese electric vehicles. It is similar to a Type 2 charging plug, but they aren’t the same, so don’t mistake one for the other. There are two types of this charging plug; one is for AC, the other for DC. The AC version of the GB/T charging plug carries 7.4 kW making it perfect for level 1 home charging.
Charging Plugs Based on DC Chargers
There are five types of charging plugs using direct current.
- CCS1 Charging Plug;
- CCS2 Charging Plug;
- CHAdeMO Charging Plug;
- GB/T Charging Plug;
- Tesla Charging Plug.
CCS 1 Charging Plug
CCS1 is a higher version of the type 1 charging plug. It has become the standard charging plug for America and Europe.
CCS2 Charging Plug
CCS2 is the most popular and fastest charging plug on the EV charging market. It is a superior version of the type 2 plug but with provisions for DC rapid charging.
CHAdeMO Charging Plug
CHAdeMO is a Japanese charging plug with an output of 200kW. They are used for level 2 and 3 EV charging and are prevalent in Asia, Europe, and North America.
GB/T Charging Plug
This Guobiao charging plug differs from its AC sister. For one, it outputs approximately 237 kW. It is used for level 2 and 3 charging. Even as the GB/T charger is gaining popularity, there are talks of partnering with CHAdeMO to make a charging plug that can output as high as 900 kW.
Tesla Charging Plug
Just as Tesla has its charging stations outside of the public EV charging stations available, they also have its charging plug. The Tesla Supercharger, the equivalent of rapid charging in other electric cars, has a unique charging plug. It looks very similar to the AC type 2 charging plug but don’t purchase it if you don’t have a Tesla because it doesn’t work for non-Tesla electric vehicles. Tesla also intends to include CCS2 in their plugs and charging sockets. This will enable Tesla owners to use non-Tesla charging stations.
Conclusion
Charging your EV is much more than finding a charging station and plugging it in. The plugs, cable and other charging components are essential to the charging process. It’s only wise that you know what they are and the different types there are.