EV plug types explained: Everything you need to know about electric car charging Contact online >>
EV plug types explained: Everything you need to know about electric car charging
Electric vehicle (EV) charging station networks have grown in recent years, but navigating the different types can get confusing. Here we''ll explain types 1, 2, and 3, their connector plugs, and what situations they''re best for.
Before we dive in, we should review some terms. Charging stations are called by multiple names, all of which mean the same thing, which can add to the confusion about which one to pick. For example, a type 2 station could also be called a "level 2" station. It still has the same power output and means the same thing. Other common terms for charging stations include:
Related: How Does an Electric Vehicle Work?
Type 1 chargers are just regular wall outlets, the same thing you''d plug your phone into to charge. As you might expect, it takes a very long time to charge an EV''s battery with a type 1 charger --- about 20 hours for a 120-mile charge.
Type 1 chargers use AC (alternating current) power, and range in output from 1kW to 7.5 kW. They''re also called "single-phase" plugs, and type 1 connectors are standard for EVs made in the U.S. and Japan.
Related: Electric Cars vs. Hybrids: What''s the Difference?
All EVs are sold with a cable adapter that lets them use level 1 chargers (wall outlets) and a separate cable with a J1772 adapter for use with level 2 charging stations. Teslas use their own proprietary plug for their chargers but also come with an adapter, allowing Tesla drivers to use level 2 public charging stations outside the company''s network.
Type 2 chargers also use AC power and allow for increased charging speed due to their increased power output. These chargers deliver around 240 volts of power and can charge an EV battery anywhere from five to seven times faster than a type 1 charger.
Type 2 chargers use a different type of plug to connect than a type 1 charger because they require a connector plug with additional wires to carry the additional power. That plug is called an SAE J1772 connector and is the standard for all EVs produced in North America as of this writing. Many EVs sold today come packaged with some kind of J1772 connector. If they don''t, you can usually buy one online from the manufacturer.
Related: Electric Vehicles: How Easy Is It to Find a Charging Station?
Type 2 chargers can also be installed in-home for faster charging without reliance on a public station. It can be expensive, but drastically reduces the hassle of at-home EV charging. The speed of an at-home type 2 charging station will depend on which charger you get installed and your local power grid, among other factors, but you can still expect the same charge time as a public type 2 charging station.
Type 3 chargers, also known as DC fast charging or DCFC chargers, will get you the quickest juice-up of any charging station out there. They use DC (direct current) energy, and require special plugs to connect that are different from the J1772 standard. There are three types of connector plugs that work with type 3 charging stations as of this writing:
A type 3 charging station can get an EV''s battery to around the 80 percent mark in roughly half an hour. While still quite a bit longer than a typical gas fill-up, these chargers are the best option available for longer trips where you may need to charge the battery quickly, like cross-country drives. Their power output is typically between 20 and 50kW, delivering the equivalent of 3-20 miles per minute of charging time. You''ll find type 3 charging stations along major highways at places like restaurants and conventional gas stations, as that''s where they get the most use. They are also becoming more available in public garages and workplace parking lots.
Related: How Does an EV Battery''s Charge Compare to a Tank of Gas?
Unless you have a lot of money lying around, you probably won''t be able to install a type 3 charger at home, as they can cost thousands to put in. However, a level 2 home charger is more than enough for almost any EV driver.
All three charging station types can be viable. If you own a plug-in hybrid that has a small battery pack, type 1 charging could be all you need. For all-electric vehicles, type 2 and 3 will be what you use most of if not all the time. For the typical EV owner, including Tesla drivers, level 2 charging stations will be the most plentiful and convenient to use, especially if you can get a level 2 home station installed. Level 3 stations are good for quick top-ups and to recharge on long trips, as they provide the fastest rate.
Related: How to Find EV Charging Stations in Google Maps
The easiest way to understand the differences between EV connector types is to consider them by region and charging type. EV charging can generally be broken down into two categories: AC and DC fast. Here''s the difference between AC and DC fast charging:
Recently a number of automakers and EV charging companies announced they will produce cars and products compatible with the NACS connector beginning in 2025. For Tesla drivers, this means they will no longer need to use an adapter to charge at many EV charging stations, including ChargePoint. For EV drivers in general, not much is changing — ChargePoint stations will always be able to charge any EV on the road.
As one of the original EV charging pioneers, ChargePoint''s mission has always been to make EV charging accessible to everyone. That''s why all ChargePoint solutions work with every connector type and EV on the road. There''s a reason ChargePoint is trusted around the world, from families looking for the right home charger to Fortune 500 companies in need of an EV charging solution for thousands of employees and customers. Rigorously tested in our cutting-edge lab, new ChargePoint NACS (Tesla) products are no different. Thanks to ChargePoint''s long history of innovation, you can rest assured that your ChargePoint Home Flex and any ChargePoint EV chargers out in the wild will continue to work seamlessly with your EV. Keep charging forward, drivers.
Curious about home charging solutions?
Learn more about ChargePoint Home Flex.
Suzanne Goldberg | EV Life
Team ChargePoint | EV Life
JaMese McGowan | EV Life
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