Electric car sockets: everything you need to know for efficient recharging
Household sockets
- Standard household socket
The standard household socket for electric cars, also known as the mains socket, wall socket or wall outlet, is the most common electrical socket in the home, generally of the E/F type in France, recognizable by its two round pins. It can be used to recharge an electric car, but has significant limitations in terms of speed and safety, with charging power limited to a maximum of 2.3 kW single-phase 10 A, well below dedicated charging solutions such aswallboxes that can deliver up to 22 kW or more.
Fully recharging an electric car from a household socket can take several hours, or even an entire night, depending on the vehicle's battery capacity. Moreover, regular use of a household socket to recharge an electric car is not recommended, as it is not designed for this purpose and may present risks of overheating or electrical overload.
- Reinforced socket (Green'Up)
The Green'Up reinforced socket, designed specifically for recharging electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, offers several advantages over a standard household socket. With a recharging power of up to 3.7 kW in single-phase alternating current, it recharges up to 60% faster than a standard 2.3 kW domestic socket. Equipped with enhanced safety systems such as an IP66 dust and splash protection flap, shutters to prevent the insertion of foreign objects, a temperature control device to limit the risk of overheating, and ground fault detection, it guarantees safe, reliable recharging.
Its improved ergonomics make it easy to connect and disconnect the charging cable, while an LED charge indicator provides information on the current charging status. Compatible with most electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the market, the Green'Up plug requires installation by a qualified electrician, with a dedicated circuit and its own circuit-breaker protection.
Although more expensive than a standard household socket, it's still cheaper than a wallbox, offering faster, safer recharging and simple, intuitive operation, with a modern, aesthetic design.
Slow charging sockets
- Type 1 socket
The Type 1 plug, also known as SAE J1772 or Yazaki, is a standard charging connector for electric vehicles, featuring five pins for communication between the car and the charging station. It uses single-phase alternating current, offering a maximum recharging power of 7.4 kW, corresponding to slow or semi-accelerated recharging.
The Type 1 plug is mainly used in Asia and the USA, with applications including home plug charging (although not recommended for safety reasons), public charging stations, and mobile cords for nomadic charging. It is compatible with models such as the Citroën C Zero, Ford Focus Electric, Kia Soul EV, Mitsubishi iMiev, first-generation Nissan Leaf, Nissan e-NV200, Opel Ampera and Peugeot iOn.
In Europe, the Type 2 plug has become the dominant standard for faster recharging, but adapters are available to connect a car equipped with a Type 1 plug to a Type 2 terminal.
- Type 2 socket
The Type 2 plug, also known as the Mennekes plug, is the European standard for electric vehicle charging, featuring seven pins for both alternating current (AC ) and direct current (DC) charging. It offers great versatility, allowing single- or three-phase AC charging with power from 3 to 43 kW, as well as DC for fast charging up to 170 kW (CCS standard).
Used for home recharging on wallboxes, public charging stations and rapid recharging on dedicated charging stations, Type 2 plugs are ubiquitous in Europe and are fitted on most modern electric vehicles.
It is compatible with many models, such as the Audi e-tron, Dacia Spring Electric, Fiat 500e, Renault Zoe, Megane E-Tech, Tesla Model 3 and Model Y and many more.
The Type 2 plug is available in two versions: a female plug on the charging station and a male plug on the car's cable, and the charging speed depends on the power of the station and the vehicle's charging capacity.
Fast charging sockets
- CHAdeMO socket
CHAdeMO, short for "CHArge de MOve", is a Japanese fast-charging standard for electric vehicles, featuring a large oval connector for high current transmission in direct current (DC) with a maximum power of up to 400 kW for very fast charging.
Unlike Type 2 sockets, where the cable is detachable, the charging cable is attached directly to the terminal. This standard is used in dedicated fast-charging charging stations, motorway service stations and shopping mall parking lots. Mainly used in Asia and on certain models in the USA, CHAdeMO charging is faster than AC charging, but also more expensive, and competes with the CCS standard in Europe.
- CCS (Combined Charging System) socket
The CCS, or Combined Charging System, plug represents a combined charging standard for electric vehicles, the result of collaboration between European and American manufacturers, offering drivers great flexibility by enabling both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging. Its combined connector combines the Type 2 plug for AC with two additional pins dedicated to DC fast charging. It enables AC recharging up to 43 kW, similar to the Type 2 plug, and ultra-fast DC recharging up to 350 kW depending on the version.
CCS plugs are used at public AC and DC charging stations, motorway service stations and rest areas equipped with fast charging stations. Now the dominant standard in Europe, it is fitted to the majority of modern electric vehicles sold on the continent.
Charging speed depends on the power of the charging station and the vehicle's charging capacity, and although it competes with the CHAdeMO standard for fast charging, the CCS plug is becoming the predominant standard in Europe.
- Tesla Supercharger socket
The Tesla Supercharger plug is an exclusive connector developed by Tesla for fast charging of its electric vehicles. It features a unique connector, incompatible with other charging standards, and enables ultra-fast direct current (DC) charging up to 250 kW, allowing a Tesla battery to be recharged in around twenty minutes. Equipped with a liquid cooling system to manage high power levels and optimize charging speed, the Supercharger network is reserved exclusively for Tesla.
Operation is simple: simply plug the Tesla connector into the vehicle to automatically start charging, with payment made via the driver's Tesla account. Tesla's navigation system makes it easy to locate Superchargers and monitor charging status. Its advantages include extremely fast charging, ideal for long journeys, expanding network coverage along freeways, and appreciated reliability and ergonomics.
However, the Supercharger does have drawbacks, such as its exclusivity to Tesla vehicles, a higher charging cost than conventional public charging stations, and potentially large crowds at stations, especially at peak times. It is only compatible with Tesla vehicles, while Tesla also offers slower home charging stations called Wall Connectors.
Find out more : All about Tesla's charging station
Ultra-fast charging sockets
- CCS Combo 2 socket
The CCS Combo 2 plug, also known as the Combined Charging System, is a versatile charging standard for electric vehicles that is becoming the norm in Europe. It combines a Type 2 plug for AC charging with two additional pins for fast DC charging. Offering AC charging of up to 43 kW for everyday use, and ultra-fast DC charging of up to 350 kW for longer journeys, the CCS Combo 2 plug equips the majority of modern electric vehicles sold on the continent.
It is used on public charging stations AC and DC, at motorway service stations and rest areas equipped with fast charging stations. Recharging speed depends on terminal power and vehicle capacity. Although it competes with the CHAdeMO standard for fast charging, the CCS Combo 2 plug is becoming the predominant choice in Europe, offering fast, versatile charging for a variety of needs, with growing compatibility with new electric vehicle models and an expanding network of charging points.
However, it can be more expensive than AC charging and requires a compatible charging station to take advantage of fast charging.
How to choose the best charging point for your electric car?
To choose the best charging socket for your electric car, several factors need to be taken into account. First of all, the type of electric vehicle you drive is important: Teslas require the exclusive use of Tesla Supercharger plugs, while other vehicles need to be compatible with charging standards such as CCS Combo 2, CHAdeMO for fast charging, or the Type 2 plug for the slower AC charging commonly used in Europe.
Secondly, your recharging needs play a decisive role: if you recharge your vehicle daily at home or at work, a Type 2 socket is often sufficient. On the other hand, for regular long-distance journeys, opting for a fast or ultra-fast recharging socket such as CCS Combo 2 or CHAdeMO will cut recharging times considerably.
Budget is another factor to consider: AC charging outlets are generally less expensive than fast or ultra-fast charging outlets, which do offer faster charging, but at a higher cost.
Finally, the availability of charging stations is essential: Type 2 charging stations are the most widespread in Europe, offering extensive network coverage. CCS Combo 2 and CHAdeMO charging stations, although increasingly numerous, are still less common than Type 2 stations, but their deployment is intensifying to meet the growing demand for fast and ultra-fast charging.
Read more: Everything you need to know about electric car charging: complete guide to charging stations 2024
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best charging socket for your electric car depends on a number of factors, such as the type of vehicle, your charging needs, your budget, and the availability of charging stations. Tesla Supercharger plugs are a must for Tesla vehicles, while CCS Combo 2 and CHAdeMO plugs offer fast-charging solutions for a variety of electric vehicle models, with a growing preference for CCS Combo 2 in Europe.
For everyday recharging, a Type 2 socket is generally sufficient and more economical, while fast-charging stations such as CCS Combo 2 and CHAdeMO are indispensable for longer journeys.
If you're planning a home or business installation, don't hesitate to call on Beev for a professional service tailored to your needs.
