TYPES OF CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

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In the electric vehicle market, there is no standardization in connectors; users encounter different models and brands, with varying configurations and technical characteristics. For this reason, we must stay informed about the compatibilities that exist and the different types of connectors we will find on public roads or for installation in our homes. The different types of connectors are:

 

  • Connector for electric vehicle: Schuko plug (conventional plug). It is compatible with European sockets and meets the CEE 7/4 type F standard. It has a ground connection, two terminals, and supports a current of up to 16 amps, making it suitable only for slow charging. It is common in some electric motorcycles and bicycles, even in some electric cars like the Twizy.

 

  • Connector for electric vehicle: SAE J1772 connector (Type 1). It is the standard connector in Japan and has been accepted in the European Union and the American market. It has 5 terminals, two of which are current, two are complementary, and the last one is the ground. This type of connector has two levels, one of them up to 16 Amps, which is for slow charging. The other level is up to 80 Amperes, corresponding to fast charging. This connector is used to charge electric vehicles such as Opel Ampera, Nissan Leaf, Nissan ENV200, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi iMiev, Peugeot iON, Citroen C-Zero, Renault Kangoo ZE (type 1), Ford Focus Electric, Toyota Prius Plug-in, or the KIA SOUL EV.

 

  • Connector for electric vehicle: MENNEKES connector (Type 2). It is not specific to electric vehicles, but its use is very common. It is of German origin, has 7 terminals, of which 4 are current (three phases), one is ground, and two are for communications. In this type, we have the option of two currents, on one side single-phase (up to 16 A – slow charging) and on the other three-phase (up to 63 A / 43.8kW of fast charging). Suitable for models such as BMW i3, i8, BYD E6, Renault Zoe, Tesla Model S, plug-in hybrid Volvo V60, plug-in hybrid VW Golf, VW E-up, Audi A3 E-tron, plug-in Mercedes S500, Porsche Panamera, or the Renault Kangoo ZE.

 

  • Connector for electric vehicle: Combined charging system or CCS. Created by Germans and Americans as a standard solution. It has 5 terminals distributed for updates, grounding, and communication with the network. This type of connector supports both charging (slow and fast). Manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, and Volkswagen have already incorporated this type of connector.

 

  • Connector for electric vehicle: Scame connector (Type 3): It has 5 or 7 terminals, depending on whether it is single-phase or three-phase, including ground and communication with the network. It accepts up to 32 A and is for semi-fast charging.

 

  • Connector for electric vehicle: CHAdeMO connector: Developed by the Japanese association formed by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), and Toyota. Designed for fast charging in direct current, it has 10 terminals, grounding, and communication. This connector is for ultra-fast charging, as it supports up to 200 A. It is equipped for cars like Nissan Leaf, Nissan ENV200, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi iMiev, Peugeot iON, Citröen C Zero, or the KIA SOUL.

 

Sources: Endesa and FAEN.