What’s the Charging Connectors and Standards for EVs in Europe.

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1 Type 2 (IEC62196-2):
– Type 2, Conforms to IEC62196-2 standard, is the most common charging connector used in Europe current (AC: single phase 230V/ Three phases 400V) home EV charging.
– It is a seven-pin connector that supports single-phase AC charging (up to 7.4 kW) and three-phase AC charging (up to 22 kW).
– Type 2 connectors are compatible with most European EV models and are widely available at public charging stations and home charging units.
– AC charging using a Type 2 connector is suitable for overnight charging or longer periods when the vehicle is parked. It’s much safer than Mode 2(Portable EV charger) with long-term charging.

2 Combined Charging System Type 2 (CCS2):
– The Combined Charging System (CCS2) connector is the European standard for high-power DC charging, which allows for faster charging times.
– CCS combines the Type 2 connector for AC charging with two additional DC pins located beneath the AC pins.
– CCS supports both AC and DC charging, making it versatile and compatible with a wide range of electric vehicles.
– DC charging using CCS can deliver power levels ranging from 50 kW to over 350 kW, enabling rapid charging for long-distance travel.
– CCS connectors are typically found at fast-charging stations along major highways and in urban areas.

3 Tesla’s Proprietary Connector:
– Tesla, a prominent electric vehicle manufacturer, uses its own proprietary charging connector known as the Tesla Connector or Tesla Supercharger.
– Tesla vehicles come with built-in charging adapters for the Tesla Supercharger network, which offers high-power DC charging.
– Tesla Superchargers have a unique plug design that is not compatible with other charging standards like Type 2 or CCS.
– However, Tesla has also equipped its vehicles with adapters to support charging at Type 2 AC stations and some CCS fast-charging stations.

4 Standardization Efforts:
– The European Union has been working towards standardizing charging connectors to ensure interoperability and ease of use for EV owners.
– The goal is to establish a unified standard that allows EVs to charge using any available charging infrastructure across different European countries.
– The chosen standard is the Combined Charging System (CCS), which combines AC and DC charging capabilities and supports different power levels.
– Type 2 and CCS2 is widely adopted by major European automakers, charging network operators, and public authorities, contributing to its prevalence in the market.
That means ,100% no problem if we config the type 2 connectors for home EV charging and CCS2 connectors for business/fast EV charging.
Some connectors and standards by referring to reliable sources or the official websites of relevant organizations and EV manufacturers:

  1. European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA):
    • Website: https://www.acea.be/
    • ACEA represents the interests of the major European automobile manufacturers and provides insights on the automotive industry, including electric mobility.
  2. European Charging Infrastructure Association (ECIA):
    • Website: https://www.ecia.eu/
    • ECIA is an association dedicated to promoting the development and deployment of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in Europe.
  3. CharIN E.V. (Charging Interface Initiative):
    • Website: https://www.charinev.org/
    • CharIN is an international association that aims to promote and develop the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard for EV charging worldwide.
  4. European Union Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE):