As electric vehicles become more popular, charging equipment types attract car owners’ attention. The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 EV Charging is a topic of interest. Type 1 and Type 2 chargers are common AC charging methods, and they have many differences. These differences affect charging efficiency and user convenience. This article will explore the differences between these two chargers in design, charging speed, and usage regions.
1. What Are Type 1 and Type 2 EV Chargers?
The term “type” refers to different generations of plugs for AC EV charging.
Type 1 EV chargers are early AC chargers. Their plug design has specific specifications. They are widely used in the early EV market, especially in vehicles made in Asia and North America. They offer a relatively convenient charging method for daily use.
Type 2 EV chargers are later-developed AC charging devices. Their plug design has been improved and upgraded. Vehicles delivered in Europe since 2018 mainly use Type 2 charging connectors. These chargers have better performance and compatibility. They can meet the needs of modern EV development. Their design focuses on safety and efficiency. As EV technology develops, Type 2 chargers are becoming more and more popular in Europe.
2. Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 EV Chargers
2.1 Exterior Design
The most obvious difference between Type 1 and Type 2 EV chargers is the connector design. Type 1 chargers have a round five-pin design. Type 2 chargers have a seven-pin design. The extra pin in Type 2 connectors allows three-phase charging. Type 1 cannot achieve this.
2.2 Charging Speed
Type 1 chargers rely on single-phase AC power, so their power output is typically 3.6kW or 7.4kW. To put this into perspective, charging a 40kWh electric vehicle battery from 0% to 100% would take approximately 11 hours with a 3.6kW charger. Even with a more powerful 7.4kW unit, it still requires 5 to 6 hours. This makes them best suited for overnight charging at home.
In contrast, Type 2 chargers benefit from three-phase AC power, which allows for much better performance. On a common 11kW public AC charging station, the same 40kWh vehicle can reach a full charge in just about 4 hours. If you use a 22kW Type 2 charger, you can shorten that time to under 2 hours.
A real-world scenario highlights this difference effectively. Imagine a shopper at a supermarket for two hours. Using a 7.4kW Type 1 charger, their car would only gain about 15kWh of energy, which adds roughly 100 kilometers of range. However, with a 22kW Type 2 charger, the car would absorb 44kWh in the same timeframe. This would add nearly 300 kilometers of range, potentially covering an entire week’s worth of commuting.
2.3 Usage Regions
People mainly install Type 1 EV chargers in North America and Japan. They use these chargers for home charging and some public charging stations. Meanwhile, people distribute Type 1 EVs more widely in North America and Asia than in Europe. As a result, Type 1 chargers are less common in European public charging stations.
Type 2 connectors are the standard in Europe and are gaining popularity in other regions. In 2017, EU legislation required all public charging stations to have Type 2 chargers, leading European car makers to mostly produce Type 2 EVs. As a result, Type 2 chargers are widespread in the UK and Europe. Many fast-charging stations, including those in the Tesla Supercharger network, use a combination charging system based on Type 2 connectors for DC fast charging, promoting the wide application of Type 2 chargers.
As the usage rate and popularity of Type 2 EV chargers increase, they are becoming the new norm in the industry. People in Asia and North America used to use Type 1 EV chargers more, but now they are gradually accepting Type 2 chargers in these markets. In the next few years, Type 1 EV chargers may gradually fade out of history.
3. Technical Evolution: From Type 1 and Type 2 to CCS Fast Charging
The distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 mainly applies to AC slow charging. As electric vehicle battery capacities have grown—from 24kWh to the now common 60-100kWh—user demand for DC fast charging has surged.
This need drove further technical evolution. In North America and Japan, they added two extra DC fast-charging pins to the existing Type 1 connector. This led to the creation of the CHAdeMO standard in Japan and the CCS1 standard in North America.
Europe took a different approach by adding the two DC pins below the existing Type 2 connector. This evolution resulted in the CCS2 (Combined Charging System) standard, which is now one of the world’s most dominant fast-charging standards.
Consequently, when you see a DC fast-charging station in Europe with a power output between 50kW and 350kW, the plug might look like a Type 2 at first glance. However, it is actually a CCS2 connector. This development clearly demonstrates that the Type 2 connector’s design provides a better physical foundation for future DC fast-charging advancements. This is a key reason why it has become a leading global standard.
4. Summary
The differences between Type 1 and Type 2 EV chargers mainly lie in charging speed, compatibility, and application range. Type 1 chargers are still used in some areas, but their limitations are becoming more and more obvious. In contrast, Type 2 chargers, with their higher charging speed and wider compatibility, are becoming the mainstream choice in the EV charging field. This trend not only reflects technological progress but also indicates the future development direction of EV charging infrastructure.
Common Questions
1. Can a Type 1 EV use a Type 2 charging cable?
A Type 1 EV usually cannot directly use a Type 2 charging cable. This is because the charging interface of a Type 1 EV is the SAE J1772 standard, while a Type 2 charging cable is a Mennekes connector. They have different designs and pin definitions. However, a Type 1 to Type 2 adapter can solve the compatibility issue.
2. Should I invest in a Type 1 or Type 2 EV charger?
If you are investing for home use and there are more Type 1 EVs in your area, you may consider a Type 1 charger. It is low-cost and easy to install. However, considering the market growth trend, Type 2 chargers have faster charging speeds and stronger compatibility. Their market demand is growing faster. Investing in a Type 2 charger is more forward-looking.
