WHAT TYPE OF PLUGS DO EV's USE?
Type 1 plug
The type 1 plug is a single-phase plug which allows for charging power levels of up to 7.4 kW (220/240 V, 32 A). The standard is mainly used in car models from Asian and is rare in Europe, which is why there are very few public type 1 charging stations.
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Type 2 plug
The triple-phase plug’s main area of distribution is Europe, and is considered to be the standard model. In private homes, charging power levels of up to 7.4kW are common (1Phase electric connections), while charging power levels of up to 22 kW (400 V, 63 A, AC 3 Phase electric connections) can be used at public charging stations. Most public charging stations are equipped with a type 2 socket. All mode 3 charging cables can be used with this, and electric cars can be charged with both type 1 and type 2 plugs. All mode 3 cables on the sides of charging stations have so-called Mennekes plugs (type 2).
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Combination Plugs (Combined Charging System, or CCS)
The CCS plug is an enhanced version of the type 2 plug, with two additional power contacts for the purposes of quick charging, and supports AC and DC charging power levels (alternating and direct current charging power levels) of up to 170 kW. In practice, the value is usually around 50 kW.
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CHAdeMO plug
This quick charging system was developed in Japan, and allows for charging capacities up to 50 kW at the appropriate public charging stations. The following manufacturers offer electric cars which are compatible with the CHAdeMO plug: Citroën, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Subaru, Tesla (with adaptor) and Toyota.
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Tesla Supercharger
For its supercharger, Tesla uses a modified version of the type 2 Mennekes plug. This allows for the Model S to recharge to 80% within 30 minutes. Tesla offers charging to its customers for free. To date it has not been possible for other makes of car to be charged with Tesla superchargers.
