Walk into any car park today and you will see at least three different shapes of EV socket on the cars around you. Walk onto a marina or a building site and you will find two more. Drive to France and another one appears. Eight EV connector types are in active use on UK roads and sites right now. We have sold cables for all of them. This guide names every connector, explains the standard behind it, and tells you honestly whether you need a cable for it.
Why so many EV plug types exist
Electric vehicle charging developed across continents in parallel, with manufacturers, national standards bodies, and grid operators each pushing their own solutions. The result is a patchwork of connectors, each designed for a specific power level, current type, or regional market.
IEC 61851-1, the international standard governing EV conductive charging systems, defines four charging modes (Mode 1 through Mode 4), each corresponding to different power levels and safety requirements. Connectors were developed to serve those modes. Add in the AC/DC divide, the difference between home and rapid charging, and the legacies of early EV adoption in Japan, the USA, and Europe, and eight connector types is the realistic count for a UK driver to understand.
The good news: if you bought your car new in the UK from 2018 onwards, you almost certainly only need to know about two of them in detail.
The complete UK EV connector list at a glance
- Type 2 (7-pin, AC, IEC 62196-2, ≤22kW) | Type 1 (5-pin, AC, SAE J1772, ≤7.4kW) | CCS Type 2 (Type 2 + 2 DC pins, DC, IEC 62196-3, 50-350kW) | CHAdeMO (large circular multi-pin, DC, CHAdeMO, 50-100kW) | Commando blue 16A (round 3-pin industrial, AC, IEC 60309, 3.7kW) | Commando red 32A (round 5-pin industrial, AC, IEC 60309, 22kW) | Schuko (2 round pins, AC, CEE 7/4, 3.7kW) | NACS/Tesla (paddle-style, AC/DC, SAE J3400, varies)
- [Connector | AC/DC | Standard | Max Power UK | UK Prevalence | Cable needed?]
- Type 2 | AC | IEC 62196-2 | 22kW (3-phase) | ~90% new EVs | Yes (untethered AC)
- Type 1 | AC | SAE J1772 | 7.4kW (single-phase) | ~5-8% legacy imports | Yes
- CCS Type 2 | DC | IEC 62196-3 | 50-350kW | ~80% modern EVs | No (tethered at charger)
- CHAdeMO | DC | CHAdeMO | 50-100kW | ~15% legacy (declining) | No (tethered at charger)
- Commando 16A | AC | IEC 60309 | 3.7kW | Niche / commercial | Via adapter
- Commando 32A | AC | IEC 60309 | 22kW (3-phase) | Niche / trade | Via adapter
- Schuko | AC | CEE 7/4 | 3.7kW | EU travel only | Via EU travel adapter
- NACS / Tesla | AC/DC | SAE J3400 | Varies | Very rare in UK | No (EU Superchargers = tethered CCS)
The table above is the information-dense reference. The sections below give you the context behind each row.
Type 2: the UK and European standard
Type 2 is the connector you are almost certainly dealing with if you drive a UK-bought EV from 2018 or later.
Defined in IEC 62196-2, Type 2 is a seven-pin AC connector. It is the standard mandated across the UK and European Union for new electric vehicles, and virtually every car sold new in the UK since around 2018 carries a Type 2 inlet. That includes the Volkswagen ID range, BMW i3 (yes, the i3 is Type 2, not Type 1), Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208, and Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
What makes Type 2 the default choice
Seven pins in a distinctive flat-bottomed D-shape allow Type 2 to carry both single-phase and three-phase AC power. That versatility, one connector covering home, workplace, and public AC charging, is why IEC 62196-2 became the European standard. The locking pin in the centre engages the car’s inlet and prevents the cable being yanked free while charging.
Type 2 charging speeds
- Single-phase (most UK homes): up to 7.4kW at 32A, a full charge overnight for most EVs
- Three-phase (some workplaces, public AC): up to 22kW at 32A for a faster top-up during the working day
A 16A single-phase supply gives around 3.7kW; a 32A single-phase supply gives around 7.4kW. Most UK homes are single-phase.
If your car is a Type 2 EV, you need a Type 2 cable for untethered AC charge points. Many public AC points provide a tethered Type 2 lead, but many do not, particularly older or workplace points. Having your own cable is the safest approach.
Type 1: the legacy import connector
Type 1 (SAE J1772) is a five-pin, single-phase AC connector found on older imported EVs. It was the standard in North America and Japan before IEC 62196-2 took hold in Europe, and it arrived in the UK via vehicles like the Nissan Leaf 24kWh and 30kWh, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and the first-generation Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Type 1 is limited to single-phase power, with a maximum of 7.4kW at 32A. It cannot carry three-phase current, a fundamental difference from Type 2. If your Leaf, Outlander PHEV, or i-MiEV needs to charge at a UK public AC point (which will almost always have a Type 2 socket), you need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable.
The UK fleet of Type 1 vehicles is declining as older cars are replaced, but there are still plenty on the road. Our Type 1 vs Type 2 cable guide covers the differences in more detail if you are shopping between the two.
Type 1 prevalence in the UK fleet sits at roughly 5-8% today, almost entirely older cars that pre-date the IEC 62196-2 switchover.
CCS Type 2: rapid DC charging for modern EVs
CCS (Combined Charging System) is the UK’s modern standard for DC rapid charging. CCS Type 2, governed by IEC 62196-3, takes a standard Type 2 AC inlet and adds two large DC pins beneath it. The car itself has a combined inlet: the upper section works like a normal Type 2 for AC charging; the full CCS inlet, all nine connections, is used for DC rapid charging.
Do you need a CCS cable? No. CCS rapid chargers are tethered, with the cable permanently attached to the charger unit. You plug the charger’s cable into your car’s CCS inlet. You do not buy or store a CCS cable yourself. This is true at every UK public rapid charger: Pod Point, Osprey, Gridserve, bp pulse, and the rest.
Approximately 80% of modern UK EVs have a CCS inlet. Power levels at UK rapid chargers run from around 50kW up to 350kW depending on the charger and the car’s onboard limits.
For a detailed comparison of what each standard means for your day-to-day charging choices, see our guide to CCS vs Type 2 explained.
CHAdeMO: the original rapid connector
CHAdeMO was the first DC rapid charging standard to reach the UK at scale, arriving with the original Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It uses a large, circular connector quite distinct from the CCS Type 2 shape, and, like CCS, the charger cable is tethered at the unit.
CHAdeMO rapid chargers deliver between 50kW and 100kW at UK public sites. The standard has not died yet, since approximately 15% of the UK EV fleet still relies on it, but it is declining. New rapid chargers being installed across the UK in 2025 and 2026 increasingly omit the CHAdeMO tether, prioritising CCS Type 2 only. Drivers of older Leafs and Outlander PHEVs should check rapid charger compatibility before long journeys.
No cable purchase is needed for CHAdeMO rapid charging. Like CCS, it is always tethered.
Commando connectors: blue 16A and red 32A
Commando connectors are the industrial-grade sockets defined in IEC 60309, familiar from marinas, caravan sites, construction sites, and commercial workshops. They are circular, weatherproofed, and keyed by colour and angle to prevent mismatching.
Two variants matter for EV charging:
- Blue 16A (single-phase): Delivers around 3.7kW. Common on marina berths, some caravan pitches, and older site supplies. Suitable for overnight EV charging where a standard home charger is unavailable.
- Red 32A (three-phase): Delivers up to 22kW on a three-phase supply. Found at workshops, trade premises, and some motorhome sites. Faster charging where the infrastructure exists.
Neither Commando connector is standard on domestic home chargers or the majority of public AC charge points. EV drivers typically use them via a dedicated Type 2 to Commando adapter cable. IEC 60309 specifies both the blue and red variants, including the pin position and IP rating (minimum IP44 for most Commando connectors, IP67 for fully waterproof versions).
If you are a marina operator, site manager, or workshop owner looking to offer EV charging from existing Commando infrastructure, these connectors are a cost-effective starting point.
- Commando Blue 16A (3-pin, single-phase, IEC 60309, 3.7kW, IP44 min, marinas/caravans) | Commando Red 32A (5-pin, 3-phase, IEC 60309, 22kW, IP44 min, workshops/trade)
Schuko: EU travel only
The Schuko plug (CEE 7/4) is the standard domestic socket across most of mainland Europe: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and many others. It carries two round pins and, in its grounded form, side earth clips. The maximum practical output is around 2.3-3.7kW on a domestic supply.
In the UK, domestic sockets are 13A BS 1363 (the familiar three-pin). Schuko is not used here at home. However, an EV with a Type 2 inlet can charge from a Schuko socket in Europe using a Type 2 to Schuko travel adapter. This is Mode 1 or Mode 2 charging as defined in IEC 61851-1: slow, but useful in a hotel car park or holiday rental where nothing better is available.
Schuko charging is EU travel only. It is not a UK domestic charging option, and it is one of the slower ways to add range. Think of it as an emergency or top-up option, not a daily routine.
NACS / Tesla connector: what UK drivers actually need to know
NACS (the North American Charging Standard, now designated SAE J3400) is becoming the dominant EV charging connector in the United States and Canada. In North America, it is being adopted by Ford, GM, Honda, Rivian, and others in addition to Tesla, who originally developed it.
In the UK and EU, the picture is quite different. Tesla vehicles sold in the UK use a Type 2 inlet for AC charging and a CCS Type 2 inlet for DC rapid charging. UK Tesla Superchargers are tethered CCS units. British Tesla owners do not need a NACS cable and will not find a NACS socket at any UK public charging location.
NACS connectors remain very rare in the UK, essentially non-existent in public charging infrastructure at the time of writing. If you drive a UK-spec Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, your relevant connectors are Type 2 (AC, up to 11kW onboard) and CCS Type 2 (DC rapid, tethered at the charger). Both are covered by the rows above.
Do you need a cable for your connector type?
The answer depends on whether your charging is AC or DC:
AC connectors (Type 2, Type 1, Commando, Schuko): Many AC charge points, particularly workplace and destination chargers, are untethered, meaning the socket is on the charger but no cable is attached. You supply the cable. For Type 2 and Type 1, this means owning the appropriate cable. For Commando and Schuko, a dedicated adapter cable is the route.
DC connectors (CCS Type 2, CHAdeMO): All DC rapid chargers are tethered. The cable is fixed to the machine. You plug it in; you do not own or store it. No cable purchase is needed.
If you are unsure which cable is right for your specific car and your usual charge points, our guide to which EV charging cable you need walks through the decision step by step.
For like-for-like replacements across any connector type, whether you have lost a Type 2 cable, need a spare Type 1, or want a backup, our replacement cables collection has options for the full range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common EV connector in the UK?
Type 2 (IEC 62196-2) is the most common. It is fitted to virtually every electric car sold new in the UK since 2018, from the Volkswagen ID.4 to the Tesla Model 3. Approximately 90% of UK new EVs use a Type 2 inlet for AC charging.
Can I charge a Type 1 car at a UK public charge point?
Most UK public AC charge points have Type 2 sockets. You need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable to charge a Type 1 car, such as the Nissan Leaf 24/30kWh or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, at these points. The cable is available to buy; it is a mode 3 solution under IEC 61851-1.
Do I need to buy a CCS cable?
No. CCS rapid chargers are tethered: the cable is fixed to the charger unit. You only need to purchase cables for AC charging connectors: Type 2, Type 1, and adapter cables for Commando or Schuko sockets.
What connector does a Tesla use in the UK?
UK Tesla models (Model 3, Model Y) use a Type 2 inlet for AC charging and a CCS Type 2 inlet for DC rapid charging at Superchargers. NACS, the North American Tesla connector and now SAE J3400, is not used in UK or EU Tesla vehicles.
What is a Commando connector and do I need one?
Commando connectors (IEC 60309) are industrial-grade plugs at marinas, caravan sites, and some workshops. The blue 16A variant gives around 3.7kW; the red 32A gives 22kW on a three-phase supply. Most home and public charge point users will never need one, but site operators and boat owners will find them useful via a Type 2 to Commando adapter cable.
Is the Schuko plug used for EV charging in the UK?
Not for UK domestic charging. UK homes use 13A BS 1363 three-pin sockets, not Schuko (CEE 7/4). Schuko is useful as a slow EU travel charging option via a Type 2 to Schuko adapter when driving across mainland Europe.
What is the difference between CCS and CHAdeMO?
Both are DC rapid charging standards. CCS Type 2 (IEC 62196-3) is now the dominant UK standard, fitted to most modern EVs. CHAdeMO is a legacy standard on older Nissan Leafs and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs, and is being phased out at UK public rapid charging sites. Neither requires you to purchase a cable.
How many EV connector types are there in the UK?
Eight are in active use: Type 2, Type 1, CCS Type 2, CHAdeMO, Commando blue 16A, Commando red 32A, Schuko, and NACS/Tesla. Of those, Type 2 and CCS Type 2 cover the vast majority of UK drivers today.