EV Charging Connectors Explained: Type 1, Type 2, CCS, CHAdeMO

There are four connectors you will meet in the UK: Type 1 and Type 2 for AC charging, and CCS and CHAdeMO for rapid DC. Type 2 is the standard on every EV and plug-in hybrid sold here since 2018, so it is the one that matters most when you buy a home or public AC cable. Type 1 is older and single-phase only, found on some pre-2018 cars. CCS and CHAdeMO handle rapid DC at motorway-style chargers, which are always tethered, so you never bring your own cable for those. Match the car end of any AC cable to your car's inlet.

At a glance: EV charging connectors

What is a Type 2 connector?

Type 2, also called Mennekes, is the seven-pin AC standard fitted to every EV and plug-in hybrid sold in the UK since 2018. It supports single or three-phase AC, up to 22kW on most cars and 43kW on a few, and it locks in place while charging. At home and at public AC points the charger end is always Type 2. Because it is universal, a Type 2 to Type 2 cable is the right choice for almost every driver charging on AC. It is the connector to prioritise.

What is a Type 1 connector?

Type 1, or J1772, is the older five-pin AC connector. It is single phase only, tops out at around 7.4kW, and has no locking latch. You will find it on some pre-2018 cars such as the early Nissan Leaf 24 and 30kWh models, the early Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and some imports. If your car has a Type 1 inlet, you need a cable that is Type 2 at the charger end and Type 1 at the car end, since public and home AC points supply Type 2.

What are CCS and CHAdeMO?

CCS and CHAdeMO are rapid DC standards used at motorway-style chargers, not for home AC charging. CCS, the Combined Charging System, adds two DC pins below a Type 2 connector and is now the mainstream rapid standard.

• CCS: Type 2 top plus two DC pins, used on most modern EVs for rapid DC.
• CHAdeMO: an older rapid DC standard, found on cars like the older Leaf, now being phased out.
• Always tethered: rapid DC chargers have the cable attached, so you never supply your own.

What is the difference between AC and DC connectors?

AC connectors like Type 1 and Type 2 feed alternating current to the car, which its onboard charger converts to DC for the battery. That is home and public destination charging, using a cable you often bring yourself. DC connectors like CCS and CHAdeMO deliver direct current straight to the battery at rapid speeds, bypassing the onboard charger. Rapid DC is measured in minutes rather than hours, and those chargers are always tethered, so your own cable is only ever needed for AC charging.

Which connector do I need to buy a cable for?

You only ever buy a cable for AC charging, and for almost everyone that means Type 2 to Type 2. Check your car's inlet: if it is Type 2, which covers everything sold since 2018, a Type 2 lead is correct. If it is Type 1, an older car, you need a Type 2 to Type 1 cable. You never buy a CCS or CHAdeMO cable, because rapid DC chargers come with their cable attached. Match the car end to your inlet and you are set.

Frequently asked questions

Which connector is standard in the UK?

Type 2, also known as Mennekes, is the UK and EU standard AC connector on every EV and plug-in hybrid sold since 2018. It supports single or three-phase AC and locks while charging. For AC charging at home or in public, a Type 2 to Type 2 cable suits almost every driver.

Do I need to buy a CCS or CHAdeMO cable?

No. Rapid DC chargers using CCS or CHAdeMO are always tethered, meaning the cable is permanently attached to the charger. You simply plug it into your car. You only ever buy a cable for AC charging, which uses Type 2 or, on older cars, Type 1 at the car end.

What cars still use Type 1?

Type 1 appears on some pre-2018 cars and imports, such as the early Nissan Leaf 24 and 30kWh, the early Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and some imported models. It is single phase only and tops out around 7.4kW. If your car has a Type 1 inlet, buy a Type 2 to Type 1 cable for AC charging.

Is CCS the same as Type 2?

Not quite. CCS uses a Type 2 connector on top with two extra DC pins below for rapid charging. So a CCS inlet accepts a Type 2 AC cable for home charging and the tethered CCS connector for rapid DC. That is why most modern EVs charge on AC and rapid DC through one combined inlet.

Can I use a Type 2 cable on a Type 1 car?

Only with the right lead. Public and home AC points supply Type 2, so a Type 1 car needs a cable that is Type 2 at the charger end and Type 1 at the car end. You cannot plug a straight Type 2 to Type 2 cable into a Type 1 inlet. Match the car end to your inlet.

Is CHAdeMO being phased out?

Yes, CHAdeMO is an older rapid DC standard that is gradually being phased out in favour of CCS. Newer EVs use CCS, and rapid networks increasingly focus on it. Older CHAdeMO cars still charge at points that offer it, but availability may reduce over time as networks update their hardware.

Now you know the connectors, narrow down your cable. For the AC choice most drivers face, read Type 1 vs Type 2, and to understand rapid DC in more detail see what is CCS charging. When you are ready to buy, match your car on the cable finder.