It can be difficult to find your way around the various sockets and charging stations available. Here is a summary that will help you better understand these devices.
The home plug is the most commonly used in homes and public charging infrastructures. To charge your vehicle from a domestic outlet, you will need a specific charging cable that is usually supplied with the vehicle.
The Type 1 plug is only present on the vehicle, but it will gradually be replaced by the Type 2 plug.
Power: 3 to 7 kW (single phase AC)
The Type 2 socket is a European standard. It can be present both on the side of the vehicle and on the side of the charging station.
To charge your electric car on a Type 2 outlet (terminal side), you will need a Type 2/Type 1 cable or a Type 2/Type 2 cable, depending on the type of plug located on the side of the vehicle.
Power: 3 to 42 kW (three-phase AC)
The Type 3 socket is rarely used today.
Power: 3 to 22 kW (three-phase AC)
Chademo is a Japanese standard, but its use is limited. The cable is usually attached to the terminal.
Power: 50 kW (DC)
The CCS Combo is a European standard, and the cable is also attached to the terminal.
The home wall terminal, also called Wallbox, allows the vehicle to be quickly recharged at home, with a charging time ranging from 3 to 4 hours to a full night.
Type 2 “slow” public charging stations (less than 11 kW in charging stations) are often installed along the street or in the car parks of shopping centers. Charging on this type of station generally requires the use of your own Type 2 cable.
Some roadside charging stations offer semi-fast Type 2 terminals, offering a power of 11 to 22 kW, and sometimes even 43 kW. These terminals allow sufficient recharging for a race or a meal.
Three-phase terminals in businesses work with three-phase sockets and/or a powerful connection to accept a higher intensity current. They allow an electric vehicle to be recharged in less than 6 hours.
Fast charging stations use DC charging stations. The CCS Combo Jack uses part of the Type 2 connector as well as an additional connector. These terminals have an integrated cable and have their own converter. They can provide charging power greater than 250 kW, allowing 10 to 80% of the battery to be recharged in 20 to 30 minutes.
The Chademo is the Japanese standard for charging stations. Nissan, which uses this type of plug, has now adopted the CCS Combo. Chademo terminals allow fast DC charging, with a power of up to 100 kW, or even 400 kW.
Tesla has developed a fast DC charging service with its superchargers, using specific Type 2 sockets, called “2a” (also compatible with the CCS Combo). This service is only available to Tesla customers, but is beginning to be available for other brands. These terminals provide charging power ranging from 120 kW to 250 kW, allowing 10 to 80% of the battery to be recharged in 20 to 30 minutes. Payment is made simply by recognizing the vehicle.
In summary, this guide to plugs and charging stations will allow you to better understand the different types available, thus helping you choose the best charging option for your electric vehicle.
