What Are the Differences Between EV Plug Types?

Written By EV Connect
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Although there is gradual progress towards standardization across the industry, there is still no single plug-type electric vehicle (EV) drivers can use to cover all charging scenarios. Instead, there are different connector types to select depending on the car model and the speed of charge required. But we shouldn’t overstate the challenge. In North America at least, drivers really only need to concern themselves with two plug types. Here’s how to make your pick depending on your vehicle type, how fast you need to get back on the road, and where you’re charging.  

EV Plug Types for AC Charging

The only plug you need to know about if you’re slow-charging in North America is the J Plug (or Type 1 plug). Its proper title is the J1772, and it’s a five-pin plug connected either to the cable provided with your car, or in some cases to the cable already attached to a charging station. The J Plug is part of a pistol-shaped handle and plugs straight into the socket on your car just like a petrol pump fits the opening of your gas tank. 

Your car will have been issued with a small Level 1 charger for home charging. This plugs into your domestic 120v circuit for slow overnight charging. You can draw around 1kW and between 12 to 16 amps, so patience is key. 

Level 2 charging

Most EV drivers nowadays are skipping Level 1 and upgrading automatically to Level 2 charging at home. This is the same 240v, 7kW charging that you’ll get at public charging stations (eg. gyms, retail parks, office complexes). You can draw between 12 and 80 amps with Level 2, but if you’re setting up the unit at home you must have it professionally installed. 

From a plug perspective, nothing changes. You use the same plug in the same socket. The difference is that you’ll be back on the road faster (in as little as 4 hours).

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What about my Tesla?

As the pioneering force among electric vehicle manufacturers, Tesla took a leaf out of Apple’s approach by developing a proprietary plug that only worked with Tesla charging hardware (aka ‘Supercharger’). So if you’re a Tesla driver, you’ll install the Tesla charger at home. 

That hard-line exclusivity has softened, however, and nowadays Tesla drivers can connect to non-Tesla chargers by using an adapter. Likewise, non-Tesla drivers can plug into a Tesla Supercharger station as long as it features a ‘Magic Dock’ to accommodate the adapter, and must use the Tesla app to manage the charging. 

EV Plug Types for DC Charging

If your EV allows direct current fast charging (DCFC) — which is not the case for most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) — you will need a different plug. That’s because DCFC is exclusively done at off-road charging stations that deliver 208v or 480v, around 60 amps, and typically 50w to 100w (but can be 350w or more).

In North America, this calls for the combined charging system (CCS) plug or combo plug. If you look closely, you’ll realize that it’s just a J1772 plug with two additional pins. On your car, you’ll usually flip open a flap to fit the CCS plug. In most cases, the plug is already attached to the charging station cable.  

For Japanese-made vehicles

CCS is standard across North America for non-Tesla vehicles, but certain Japanese models (from Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi) use a plug called CHAdeMO for DC charging. This actually preceded CCS and is still common in Europe. However, it is gradually being phased out in the US and Japanese car manufacturers are issuing new models with CCS instead. 

If your Japanese car still has a CHAdeMO socket, you’ll need to find an EV charging station that supports CHAdeMO charging. One of the main reasons for the gradual disappearance of CHAdeMO in the US is that there is no adapter for connecting CHAdeMO and CCS systems. 

What’s Next? NACS Migration

Tesla developed its own charging system in 2012 called North American Charging Standard (NACS). In 2022, it made this system available to other car manufacturers using an adapter. That easy integration is now set to become a full-scale migration. Several high-profile US car manufacturers — including Ford — have committed to fitting their vehicles with NACS from 2025 as standard. 

That doesn’t imply CCS is under threat. The thousands of charging stations that currently support CCS charging will continue to offer it, and their number is only set to grow. The key difference is that non-Tesla drivers will also have the option of charging at Supercharger stations. 

The Road Ahead

Switching between charging systems isn’t as simple as using an adapter for your hairdryer or laptop when you go abroad on vacation. In other words, it’s not just about stepping up the voltage. The main challenge is in allowing software and firmware from different systems to communicate. The flow of electricity is just part of the process. There’s also the payment to be processed and the car battery to be monitored. These EV plug types are the best solution so far for ensuring the safe transfer of electricity from the charging source to the vehicle, but expect them to change. 

The EV sector is evolving, growing and adapting rapidly, so we can almost certainly expect further standardization — or perhaps the shock arrival of a new protocol altogether — in years to come. Whatever the future holds, you can count on EV Connect to keep your user experience seamless and the charging process reliable and secure.

 

About EV Connect

EV Connect is the comprehensive EV charging platform for companies of all sizes to build, run, and scale their EV charging business. Trusted by CPOs, OEMs, fleets, utilities, and more.

With our industry leading API and white label plans, integrate EV charging into your app and create custom charging solutions that fit your brand perfectly. 

Contact us today and find out why EV Connect is the #1 EV charging platform to run your business!

Sources:

EV Connect
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