EV Charger Types & EV Connector Types
There are several types of EV charging units designed for different areas of application. Generally, they differ in charging speeds, power rating, charging connectors and phasing.
This guide provides a detailed description of the three main EV charger types and their various sockets.
Overview
- Rapid Chargers: Rapid chargers are the fastest EV charging devices. Usually, they can be found at commercial charging stations such as motorway services or gas stations. Most rapid chargers work on a CHAdeMO or CCS connector.
- Fast Chargers: Fast chargers have a capacity ranging from 7 kW to 22 kW. Most fast chargers are equipped with one plug for AC and DC charging each. The most connector type in fast chargers is Type 2.
- Slow Chargers: These are the most commonly used by EV owners to charge at home. They are typically equipped with Type 1 or Type 2 plugs.
Contact us to inquire about our EV charging solutions or schedule an appointment for a noncommital discovery call.
EV Charging Connector Types
Domestic Socket
- Capacity: Up to 3.7kW
- Current: AC
- Phasing: Single-phased
- EV Charger Types: Slow charger
CCS
- Capacity: Up to 50kW
- Current: DC
- Phasing: Three-phased
- EV Charger Types: Fast & rapid charger
Type 1
- Capacity: Up to 7.5kW
- Current: AC
- Phasing: Single-phased
- EV Charger Types: Slow charger
CCS 2
- Capacity: Up to 170kW
- Current: DC
- Phasing: Three-phased
- EV Charger Types: Fast & rapid charger
Type 2
- Capacity: Up to 22kW
- Current: AC
- Phasing: Three-phased
- EV Charger Types: Slow & Fast Charger
CHAdeMO
- Capacity: Up to 50kW
- Current: DC
- Phasing: Three-phased
- EV Charger Types: Fast & rapid charger
For Manufacturers: EV Charger Accessories
Are you an EV charger manufacturer looking for spare parts? Check out our type B RCD for EV charger circuit breakers! Read more »
Rapid Chargers
Rapid Chargers - Equipment & Characteristics
- Charging rate: 50-350kW
- Current: DC
- Connector types: CCS, CCS2, CHAdeMO
- Phasing: Three-phased
- Other features: Often equipped with multiple connectors for different charging speeds.
Depending on output, a rapid charge unit can charge 80% of an EV battery in less than 30 minutes. An average new e-car takes about an hour at a standard 50 kW fast charging station. To maximize battery life, electric vehicles automatically reduce charging speed when the battery approaches full load, which is why charging times are usually given for 80% of the full charge.
Rapid chargers deliver at least 50 kW. Single phase devices are incapable of delivering charging speeds beyond 7kW, which is why all rapid chargers are three-phased. Likewise, the only connector types able to sustain such high loads are CHAdeMO, CCS or CCS2 plugs.
INFO: It is important that the car’s input capacity is at least as high as the charger output. For example, an EV with a maximum input capacity of 100kW can only be charged with 100kW or less.
Tesla Supercharger
Tesla models have their own charging plug called Supercharger. The Supercharger uses a modified version of the Type 2 connector, allowing for DC charging. However, beginning in 2018, Tesla has been upgrading it’s Supercharger stations with CCS and CHAdeMO plugs, allowing Tesla drivers to charge their EV at any charging point.
Best Rapid Charger – FC 120 “Rocket”
The FC120 “Rocket” of our DC Fast Chargers range is intended for installation at rest areas and gas stations where high charging power is needed to continue driving in less than 30 minutes.
Designed to address the shortcoming of second generation rapid chargers, the FC120 “Rocket” is equpped with several next generation features to provide maximum convenience to customers and operators.
Combined with the exclusive cost advantage of our supply network, this low-risk/high-reward investment pays for itself quickly.
- Best Rapid Charger
- Power: 120kW
- Simultaneous charging of up to 3 cars
- Plugs: 2xCCS2
- Intelligent Control
- Load Balancing
Fast Chargers
Fast Chargers - Equipment & Characteristics
- Charging rate: 7-22kW
- Current: AC & DC
- Connector types: Type 1, Type 2, CCS, CCS2
- Phasing: Single-phase/Three-phase
- Other features: Often equipped with multiple connectors for different charging speeds.
Fast chargers typically have a capacity ranging from 7 kW to 22 kW. Most fast chargers offer AC charging, but some chargers like the Polaris Wallbox feature DC charging as well. Fast chargers with lower capacities usually are equipped with either Type 1 or Type 2 plugs, while most chargers with 11kW or higher capacities have a CCS connector.
INFO: The CCS charging plug is a very popular format for fast chargers, as it allows for both AC and DC charging. Some specific EV models like the KIA Soul EV charger type or MG ZS EV charger type are based on CCS as well. The upper part of the connector allows for a Type 2 EV charger cable to be plugged in, while the lower part offers DC fast charging capabilities.
Charging times depend on the speed of the device and the vehicle. Generally, a 7kW charger will charge an EV like the Nissan Leaf in roughly 6 hours, while a 22-kW charger takes less than 2 hours. Fast chargers are usually located in places like parking lots, supermarkets, or workplace EV charging points, where EV drivers are likely to park for more than an hour.
Best Fast Charger – “Polaris” DC 20 Wallbox
The Polaris DC20 offers an affordable fast charger solution that is suitable for home as well as public use while maintaing a low price.
Compared to slower 7kW AC chargers, the Polaris Wallbox reduces charging time by up to 6.5 hours.
In addition to an elegant design, an LCD touch screen display and several next-generation features make the Polaris Wallbox a state-of-the-art fast home charger.
- Best Fast Charger
- Power: 20kW
- Full LCD Touch Screen
- Voice Command
- Smart Charger
- Smart Home App Control (iPhone/iPad/Android)
- CCS2 Smart Plugs
Slow Chargers & EV Portable Chargers Type 2
Slow Chargers - Equipment & Characteristics
- Charging rate: 3-7kW
- Current: AC
- Connector types: Domestic 3-pin, Type 1, Type 2
- Phasing: Single-phase
Slow charging is the most common method for home EV charging systems. However, slow chargers with higher capacities are also used in workplaces due to their low cost. Most slow chargers feature up to 3.5 kW, although some offer capacities of up to 7kW. Slow chargers almost exclusively are equipped with a Type 1 or Type 2 socket.
INFO: The main difference between Type 1 and Type 2 EV charger sockets is their phasing. A Type 1 plug is a single-phase charging cable, while the Type 2 charging cable can be used to connect both single-phase as well as three-phase devices to the an EV.
For comparison, a low-end Type 1 EV charger with 3.6kW already charges a Renault Zoe in less than 16 hours. This is an improvement of roughly 25% in charging speed for a neglible price.
Best Slow Charger – Smart Home Wallbox
The Smart Home Wallbox of our in-house brand BRS is designed for homeowners looking for higher charging capacities than domestic sockets for a reasonable price.
Building on a smart energy management system, this Type 2 EV charger offers several next-generation features like OCCP communication and load balance through intelligent metering
- Best Slow Charger
- Power: 7kW
- Smart Energy Management
- Convenient Load Balance
- OCCP Communication with CMS
- Elegant Design
- Type 2 Portable EV charger