Electric vehicles (EVs) are fast gaining popularity due to their low environmental impact and lower running costs. However, the increasing number of EVs on the road has led to an increased demand for EV charging infrastructure. Today, there are a variety of EV charger plug types available to suit different types of EVs and charging requirements.
In this article, we will discuss the different EV charger plug types and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Type 1 – J1772
The Type 1 Plug, also called the J1772 plug, is the most commonly used EV charger plug type in North America and Japan. It features five pins and is compatible with Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations.
One of the benefits of the Type 1 Plug is its ability to provide a working ground before the actual charging process starts, ensuring safe battery charging for the electric car. However, some drawbacks of the Type 1 Plug are its low current handling capacity of only 16 amps and a lengthy charging process.
Type 2 – Mennekes
The Type 2 Plug, also known as the Mennekes plug, is primarily used in Europe and has seven pins. Like the Type 1 Plug, it works with Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations. However, it can also handle three-phase AC charging.
One of the advantages of the Type 2 Plug is its speed. It can handle a higher current, with some models having a maximum current capacity of 80 amps. Additionally, the Type 2 Plug is widely compatible with most electric vehicles in Europe, making it a preferred EV charger plug type.
CHAdeMO
The CHAdeMO Plug is primarily used for DC fast charging primarily in Asia. It charges a variety of electric vehicles, including Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. This plug type can charge an EV battery in as little as 30 minutes, which is perfect for long-distance travel.
One of the notable drawbacks of the CHAdeMO Plug is its lack of widespread compatibility. Furthermore, it’s not suitable for Level 1 or Level 2 charging.
CCS
The Combined Charging System or CCS plug is an American standard designed to replace the previously fragmented standards. The CCS plug features two charging options: DC fast charging for Level 3 charging and AC home charging for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
As is the case with most DC fast chargers, the CCS plug can quickly charge most electric vehicles, providing a wide range of battery charging capacities. Nonetheless, it requires considerable voltage and amps, requiring robust electric retainers that affect charging infrastructure costs.
Tesla Supercharger
Tesla Supercharger is an EV charger plug type proprietary to Tesla electric vehicles. It uses a DC fast charging system that enables Tesla cars to charge quickly on long drives. Tesla Superchargers are only compatible with Tesla vehicles, so their availability is mainly limited to Tesla Supercharger Stations.
One benefit of the Tesla Supercharger plug is its fast charging capabilities, allowing as little as 45 minutes to charge a Tesla vehicle. However, its compatibility restriction means it’s only available for Tesla users and not the wider EV community.
Conclusion
As EV charging infrastructure continues to develop, it's essential to understand the different charger types to make informed decisions regarding charging stations. With the above five EV charger plug types, you can make an informed choice about which ports to install, taking into account compatibility and installation costs. Nonetheless, in the long-term, a more standardized and uniform EV charging system would benefit EV users by providing a simple, consistent, and accessible way to charge.
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