Type 2, CCS2, CHAdeMO, Mode 2, Mode 3 – connectors and cables are easy to get lost in. We explain them clearly and without marketing, so you know what your car has and what to buy.
Which connectors you meet in Europe
Charging an electric car is not just about a socket in the wall. Three things matter: the connector (the physical plug), the charging mode and the cable. The good news is that standards in the European Union have converged, so today the picture is clear. Alternating-current (AC) charging uses the Type 2 connector; fast direct-current (DC) charging uses CCS2. The older Japanese CHAdeMO standard is gradually disappearing from the European market.
| Standard | Charging type | Typical power | Where | Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 | AC | 3.7 to 22 kW | home wallbox, public AC stations | practically all EVs and PHEVs in the EU |
| CCS2 (Combo 2) | AC and DC | 50 to 350+ kW (DC) | fast chargers on routes and motorways | most new EVs sold in the EU |
| CHAdeMO | DC | up to 50 kW | older public stations, declining | Nissan Leaf and older Japanese cars |
| Schuko socket 230 V | AC emergency (Mode 2) | 2.3 kW | ordinary home socket | all cars via a portable cable |
Type 2: the European standard for AC charging
Type 2 (standard IEC 62196-2) is the basic European connector for AC charging. It has seven contacts and handles single-phase and three-phase charging up to 3× 32 A, i.e. 22 kW. You find it on every home wallbox, on public AC stations and as the inlet on the car. Almost every EV sold in the EU has a Type 2 inlet.
It is important to know that the real AC charging power is limited not by the connector but by the car's on-board charger. Most cars have an 11 kW on-board charger; only cars with a 22 kW charger use 22 kW. We cover this in detail in Wallbox 11 kW or 22 kW and in the guide How to choose a wallbox.
CCS2 (Combo 2): fast DC charging
CCS2 (Combined Charging System) is essentially Type 2 extended below with two high-power DC pins. A single inlet in the car therefore handles both AC and DC. On DC fast chargers along motorways, CCS2 delivers from 50 kW to over 350 kW at the newest hubs. DC charging is controlled by the station, so a fast charger always has a fixed, cooled cable and you carry none of your own.
In practice this means you charge on AC via Type 2 at home and at work, and fast on DC via CCS2 when travelling. Both use the same car inlet, just a different part of the connector.
CHAdeMO, Tesla and edge cases
CHAdeMO is an older Japanese DC standard (Nissan Leaf, older Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV). In Europe it has been replaced by CCS2 and is practically absent on new cars; new stations rarely add it. Tesla in Europe switched to CCS2 for both its cars and Superchargers, so there is no special connector to worry about. An ordinary home socket (Schuko) is only an emergency option via a so-called Mode 2 cable, discussed below.
Charging modes 1 to 4
Standard IEC 61851 defines four modes by how the current flows and what protections are in place. This is not about the connector shape, but the charging method:
| Mode | Path | Power | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode 1 | straight from a socket, no protections | up to 2.3 kW | not recommended and not used for EVs |
| Mode 2 | from a socket via a cable with a protection box (ICCB) | 2.3 kW | emergency, when no wallbox is available |
| Mode 3 | dedicated AC station or wallbox with communication, Type 2 | 3.7 to 22 kW | the standard for home and public AC charging |
| Mode 4 | DC fast charger with a fixed cable (CCS2) | 50 to 350+ kW | fast top-ups on the road |
For everyday home charging the right choice is Mode 3, a fixed wallbox. Treat Mode 2 from an ordinary socket as a fallback: it is slow (2.3 kW, roughly 12 to 15 km of range per hour) and continuously loading a normal socket is not safe.
The Type 2 cable: phases, current and length
If the wallbox or public AC station has a socket (not a fixed cable), you need your own Type 2 – Type 2 cable. Watch three parameters:
- Number of phases: a single-phase cable does up to 7.4 kW, a three-phase one up to 22 kW.
- Current: 16 A equals 11 kW (three-phase), 32 A equals 22 kW (three-phase).
- Length and cross-section: usually 5 m; longer cables are handier but heavier and pricier.
A simple rule applies: the real power is set by the weakest link (car, station, cable). A three-phase 32 A / 22 kW cable is universal because it also covers weaker combinations. IONT tech offers Type 2 charging cables in the e-shop.
Socket at the station, or a fixed cable?
For a home wallbox you choose between a version with a Type 2 socket and one with an integrated cable. A socket is universal (any car connects with its own cable) and suits publicly accessible places. An integrated cable is more convenient for daily home use because you carry nothing. IONT tech offers both, plus the dual-outlet e:car WALL double. See the guide How to choose a wallbox or the wallbox overview.
Which connector and cable your car has
Roughly summarised:
- EV sold in the EU: Type 2 for AC and CCS2 for DC in one inlet. You need your own Type 2 – Type 2 cable only for AC stations with a socket.
- Plug-in hybrid: Type 2 for AC only, usually single-phase 3.7 kW. Most PHEVs cannot do DC.
- Older imported car: may have CHAdeMO for DC; check the technical sheet.
If unsure, send us the make and model via the contact page and we will advise on the connector and cable.
Safety: do not rely on an extension lead
Charging from an ordinary socket via an extension lead or a cable reel is a common and dangerous mistake. Extension leads are not built for hours of continuous draw around 10 A; they can overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire. If you really must charge from a socket occasionally, use only the original Mode 2 cable plugged straight into a fixed, inspected socket and charge at a reduced current. For daily charging, the only safe solution is a fixed wallbox (Mode 3) on a dedicated protected circuit installed by a qualified professional.
Common mistakes
- Buying a cheap single-phase cable. You save a little, but with a three-phase car or station you lose half the power or more.
- Relying on Mode 2 from a socket. As a permanent solution it is slow and overloads an ordinary socket and wiring. Get a wallbox (Mode 3) for daily charging.
- Confusing connector and power. Type 2 alone does not mean 22 kW; the car's on-board charger and the station setting decide.
- Looking for CHAdeMO on a new car. New cars in the EU use CCS2; consider CHAdeMO only for older imports.
We will help with the connector and station
Send us the make and model of your car. We will recommend the right wallbox, cable and power and quote installation with a certified partner.
Často kladené otázky
What connector does an electric car use in the EU?
EVs sold in the EU have one inlet that combines Type 2 for AC charging and CCS2 for fast DC charging. You charge via Type 2 at home and at public AC stations, and via CCS2 at motorway fast chargers.
What is the difference between Type 2 and CCS2?
Type 2 is an AC connector up to 22 kW. CCS2 (Combo 2) is Type 2 with two added high-power DC pins, so a single inlet handles both AC and DC fast charging from 50 kW upwards.
What are Mode 2 and Mode 3?
Mode 2 is emergency charging from an ordinary socket via a cable with a protection box, at just 2.3 kW. Mode 3 is charging from a dedicated wallbox or AC station with communication and a Type 2 connector, at 3.7 to 22 kW. For home charging choose Mode 3.
Which cable do I need for a wallbox with a socket?
A Type 2 – Type 2 cable. A three-phase 32 A (22 kW) cable is universal because it also covers weaker cars and stations. A single-phase 16 A cable does only 3.7 kW and limits you over time.
Might I still meet CHAdeMO?
Practically not on new cars; in the EU CCS2 has replaced it and new stations rarely add it. Consider CHAdeMO only for older imported cars such as the Nissan Leaf.