The EV charging connector types are not chargers. These connectors vary and work only with specific chargers. If you are new to EV charging, these terms can confuse you. 

Whether you live in Europe, North America, or Asia, this detailed guide will help you discover different connectors and chargers available in your region. 

You will know how to match these items to simplify EV charging process. Check this guide out and perhaps grasp some knowledge you can use when charging your EV. 

EV Charging Connector Types and Levels 

Three levels of charging exist in the world today. Each level goes well with certain EV charging connector types. Here is an overview of each charging level and suitable connectors:

Level 1 charging 

Level 1 is the slowest and cheapest type of EV charging plugs for residential areas. It is reliable because you need a typical 120V single-phase power outlet. You will not install a charging station, making this method cheap and somehow reliable. Since the 120v socket produces only 2 kW of power, it takes longer to recharge a car. 

Level 1 chargers use EV charging connector types called SAE J1772. The J1772 or Type 1 connector is commonly used in Japan and North America. It is a five-pin connector that supports single-phase power sockets. Unlike the type 2 connector below, the type 1 has no locking mechanism. 

This is why the level 1 charger is not safe.  Your car will use its on-board converter to convert Alternating current into DC. You may need to use your level 1 charger and connector for 24 hours to attain around 80 to 100 percent of the charge. This charging level is affordable but can also be dangerous during a power surge. 

Level 2 charging 

The level 2 charging station is a better version of level 1. You will have a professional technician install this charging station at home. Level 2 charging is a residential method that works better than level 1. It can utilize a 240v or a 208v AC single-phase outlet. 

Alternatively, this charging level can use a 400v three-phase connection. Level 2 uses the type 2 EV charging connector types. These connectors have a seven-pin design and support charging speeds of 22kW to 43kW. The type 2 connector has a locking system that increases safety. Most of its users come from Asia and Europe. 

Level 2 chargers boast quicker charging times than any level 1 charger. Thus, they can bring the EV battery to full charge within four to eight hours.  However, the initial charge status and load level can affect the charging speeds. If you want to charge your EV conveniently at home after work, your best choice is the level 2 charger. 

DC Fast Chargers  

Also called level 3 chargers, DC fast chargers are the quickest you can find. The charger is not a suitable choice for residential use because it requires high power loads. Level 3 fast charging stations are often common in public places where motorists who cover long distances use them to charge EV batteries in a few minutes.  

Using a 3-phase AC input, the DC fast charger supplies only a direct current. It feeds this power output directly into the battery. This is not the case with level 1 and 2 chargers that supply AC current to the on-board converter in the EV. The converter turns the AC into DC and delivers it to the battery pack.  

It works faster because it does not need to pass current onto the on-board converter. The DC fast charger can fill an EV battery from twenty to eighty percent in about forty minutes. However, the charging speed depends on the battery size and the charger’s power output. A DC fast charger can produce between 50 to 350 kilowatts, the latter being the swiftest. It uses three EV charging connector types, including:

1. CHAdeMO

CHAdeMO is a Janapese DC fast charger connector. Here are its characteristics:

• Common among Japanese EV manufacturers.
• The CHAdeMO EV charging connector types support bi-directional charging. Thus, it enables EVs to do main grid applications.
• It supplies about 50kW, but new versions offering more power are coming up.
• CHAdeMo has been in Europe, but the manufacturers there want to use the CCS more these days.

2. Combined Charging System

The combined charging system, or CCS, has these characteristics: 

• CCS uses type 2 AC EV charging connectors with two more direct current pins. 
• CCS supports very high-power charging, delivering 50 to 350kW. 
• These connectors are popular among the North American and European EV manufacturers.
• The European fast charging stations are gradually adopting the CCS connectors. 
• The CCS connector Type 1 uses a level 1 AC connector with a DC fast charger 
• Enables quick charging by supplying power output levels of 50 to 350kW. 
• CSS connector Type 2 combines the level 2 AC connector with a DC fast charger.
• The type 2 AC connector is commonly found in Europe. It offers high-power charging, lowering the charging time.

3. Tesla

Tesla EV charging connectors are common among Tesla EV owners. It has these characteristics:

• Tesla has a Supercharger that can only charge its EVs.
• Tesla’s Supercharger network is in North America, Europe, and many other countries.
• Tesla EVs can use CCS and CHAdeMO with an adapter.
• Tesla’s proprietary charging network also includes a Tesla Type 2 connector for AC charging. 

4. GB/T Standard

Another connector found only in China is called the GB/T connector. It belongs to the Guobiao Standardization Commission. The GB/T connector supports almost every charging station in the country since it is the dominant connector. 

It looks like a Type 2 connector but the two are different. In the GB/T connector, the EV charging cables run in the reverse direction. Thus, the GB/T connector is incompatible with most EVs.  GB/T supports DC fast charging.

5. Bharat Standard Connector types 

Bharat standard connectors are common in India. Usually, they appear in two-wheeled and three-wheeled electric vehicle models. They support level 1 and level 2 charging.

The DC fast charging connectors are so advanced that they generate control signals that support communication between the charger and the car. Note that you cannot interchange these EV charging connectors.  Instead, you need an adapter to charge your Tesla EV at a CHAdeMO charging station, for example.  

Also, EVs that use CCS connectors cannot charge with CHAdeMO unless the charging station operator supports these EV connector standards or has an adapter. A level three DC fast charger is ideal for large vehicles like trucks, buses, and vans that cover long distances. 

Benefits of having Compatible Chargers and Connectors

Chargers and connectors go hand in hand. You cannot achieve anything with just the connector or the charger. You need to use them together to charge your EV more conveniently. A network of compatible chargers and universal EV charging connectors can improve customer satisfaction and ensure convenience among EV users. They can recharge their EVs from the comfort of their homes, offices, or public charging stations.

When choosing an EV charger, it’s essential to consider factors like charging speed, compatibility with your vehicle, and whether you need a home or commercial charging solution to ensure seamless and efficient charging.

Connector Security Features 

As the EV charges, a power surge can happen and cause damage. That is why many EV charging connectors offer security features. A typical connector comes with built-in security features, including: 

• Automatic locking systems are used to prevent disconnection when the car is charging. 
• The built-in locking mechanisms ensure safe charging connections. These are common in type 2 and GB/T EV charging connector types. 
• Charging stations for pay use encryption and authentication protocols that help keep the charging process safe.
• Now we have tamper-proof designs that prevent unauthorized access. 
• Liquid-cooled cables enable high-power chargers like CHAdeMO and CCS to operate safely.

Why Choose Certified Connectors?

EV chargers have built-in safety features. When choosing compatible EV charging connectors for your charger, focus on certified ones. Here is why: 

• ‍You will get connectors that meet all regulatory standards.
• Selecting an EV charging connector is easy because you will refer to the EV manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations.
• You will choose chargers, cables, and connectors that match the EV’s specifications. This can help steer clear of possible hazards when charging your EV. 

New Technologies in the Electrical Vehicle Charging World

The electric vehicle industry has seen some recent developments that are worth mentioning. These are: 

• Wireless charging – Soon we might no longer need to use the EV charging connectors mentioned earlier. As we speak, manufacturers are testing the wireless charging technology. If it succeeds, EV drivers will charge their autos automatically.
• V2G technology – This refers to Vehicle-to-grid charging technology. EVs will draw power from the main grid and return it using unique EV charging connector. 
• Ultra-fast –This kind of charging already exists among DC fast chargers. It supplies charging speeds of 350kW. There are efforts to release a more advanced ultra-fast charging station supplying even more power. 

Final Word

The EV charging connector types vary based on the charging levels they support. Some are AC level 1 and 2 chargers while others are DC fast chargers that recharge EVs rapidly. If you prefer to use DC fast chargers, the best connectors are CHAdeMO, Tesla, CCS, and GB/T. Type 1 and Type 2 connectors are ideal for home use. Once you determine the best charging level types, select matching connectors to establish safe and successful charging connections.