Guide | Article

Guide to EV socket types

031 Mar 2022

Plug into charging on the go

An introduction to some of the most common types of EV charging plugs

New to electric vehicle charging? It can be helpful to become familiar with some of the common types of EV charging plugs. Here, we provide an overview.

Type 1 socket

Known as J1772 this is an older slow AC charge connector and is being phased out in favour of Type 2.

Type 2 socket

A Mennekes socket. This socket is one of the most popular ones seen and used throughout the UK.

Type 2 CCS socket

This is a combination of slow AC and fast DC connector.

CHAdeMO socket

This is a fast DC charge connector.

Wall outlet

TA standard wall outlet either domestic or business BS1363 plug unit.

Quick charge CCS / SAE combination socket

The Combined Charging System (CCS) is a fast charging method for battery powered electric vehicles (EV) delivering direct current via a custom connector originally inherited from the SAE J1772 (IEC Type 1) or IEC Type 2 connector. It is also called Combo Coupler and the variant with Type 2 is abbreviated as Combo2.

Type 1 CCS socket

Type 1 Combined Charging System (CCS). The CCS Type 1 charging cables were developed for fast direct current (DC) charging in accordance with SAE J1772 and IEC 62196-3. A unit locking mechanism prevents the Vehicle Connector from being pulled out when in use.

Tesla supercharger socket

The Tesla Supercharger network is a system of DC fast-charging stations built by the Tesla company in the United States to allow fast charging of their car battery packs ultimately providing longer journeys for their EV vehicles Model S, Model 3 and Model X.

Blue commando

The most common range of heavy commercial and industrial plugs. These are often referred to in the UK as CEE industrial, CEEform or simply CEE plugs, or as “Commando connectors” after the MK Commando brand name for these connectors.