WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT ELECTRIC CAR CHARGER TYPES?

When you drive an electric car, naturally you need to top up whether at home or on the go. And to do this effectively you need to understand the different types of electric car chargers and which connectors you need to charge at each.

Let’s take a look…

The Different Types of Electric Car Chargers

When it comes to the different types of electric car chargers, the first place to start is with home charging vs. charging on the go.

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric

Home Charging

For home charging, you have a couple of options:

3kW Home Electric Socket

Average time to charge up from empty: 12 hours
Most EVs will come with a plug that allows you to charge up from a standard home electric socket. This is the slowest method of charging available to you, so only do so occasionally or in an emergency.

7kW Home EV Charger

Average time to charge up from empty: 6-8 hours
If you install a home EV charger at your property, you can keep your battery topped up and ready to go. How much you’ll pay for an at-home EV charger varies and can depend on where you live and the ease of installation. Most will be installed in a few hours. You may be able to get one installed for free as part of a salary sacrifice scheme through your employer. And if you live in a flat or a rental property, you may be able to get a government grant of up to £350 to help cover the cost.

Charging On The Go

If you’re driving long distances in your electric car, you’ll naturally need to top up when you’re out and about. You’ll also want to do so in the quickest time possible. You can choose from the following options:

22kW: Fast Public Charger

Average time to charge up from empty: 3 hours
These are often found in public places like car parks, supermarkets and service stations.

50kW Rapid Public Charger

Average time to charge up: 30 minutes to charge up from 10/20% to 80%
You’ll often find rapid chargers at public charging stations. This is especially important if you’re driving long distances. With a rapid public charger, your EV will fill up to 80% quickly then slow down the rate of charging for the last 20%. This is designed to protect the health of your EV battery.

350kW Ultra-Rapid Public Charger

Average time to charge up: 15/20 minutes to charge up from 20% to 80%
Sometimes you’ll also see ultra-rapid chargers that offer speeds up to 350kW, although only a limited number of current EVs on the road today have the capacity to charge at this speed. This is changing, however as the technology improves.

What Type of Socket Do I Need for Different Charging Points?

Different EVs come with different EV connectors. It’s important to know which connector you have and its compatibility with different charging points.

The different kinds of connectors include:

Type 1: You’ll find this on some older EVs like the early Nissan Leaf. Today an adapter is usually included to make it compatible with Type 2.
Type 2: Most EVs on the roads in the UK use this connector for both slow and fast charging.

Type of charging: Charge points under 50 kW use Type 2 connectors, and need a Type 2 cable.

CHAdeMO: This type of connector was favoured on some Japanese models, including the Nissan Leaf. It’s now being phased out on newer Nissan models.

Type of charging: Rapid and ultra-rapid charging.

CCS combo type 2: Most EVs sold in the UK use this connector for rapid charging.

Type of charging: Rapid and ultra-rapid charging. Charging stations 50kW and above use CCS connectors.

What’s the Difference Between Tethered and Untethered Cables?

It’s also important to understand the difference between tethered and tethered cables.

Tethered cables

These are cables that are permanently connected to the charging unit, so they can’t be removed. It’s just like using a petrol or diesel pump – you simply take out the plug and connect it to your car to charge. You’ll find these at both rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.

Untethered cables

Most fast chargers will have tethered cables, but some need an untethered cable. This is where you use your own cable to plug into both the charge point and your car.
Untethered cables should come with your EV, usually stored in the boot or under the bonnet. In most cases this will be a Type 2 cable – you’ll have a Type 2 connector on one end and a socket (Type 1 or Type 2) that fits onto the car.
You’ll need one for home charging too.

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