If you are planning to roll out a commercial charging project, one of the first technical hurdles you’ll hit is the “connector puzzle.” Unlike gas stations where one nozzle fits almost everything, the EV world is split into several different standards depending on the region and the charging speed.
Choosing the wrong connector type can mean your equipment is literally useless for your local market. Here is a down-to-earth breakdown of the EV charger connector types you need to know for your business.
1. The Regional Divide: AC Charging (Level 2)
For most workplaces, hotels, and apartment buildings, AC charging (Level 2) is the bread and butter. The power usually ranges from 7kW to 22kW.
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Type 1 (SAE J1772): This is the standard for North America and parts of Asia (like Japan). It has a 5-pin design. If your project is in the US or Canada, this is your go-to for wallboxes.
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Type 2 (Mennekes): This is the European standard (IEC 62196). It’s a 7-pin design and is much more versatile because it can handle three-phase power, allowing for faster 22kW charging. Most of our global B2B clients outside of North America stick with Type 2.
2. The Heavy Hitters: DC Fast Charging Connectors
When you move to highways or fleet hubs where time is money, you switch to DC Fast Charging. This is where things get a bit more complex.
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CCS (Combined Charging System): This is the dominant global standard. It basically takes a standard AC plug (Type 1 or Type 2) and adds two large DC pins at the bottom.
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CCS1: Common in North America.
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CCS2: The standard in Europe and most other regions.
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CHAdeMO: Originally the Japanese standard. While it’s still around, it is slowly being phased out in Europe and the US in favor of CCS. Unless you are servicing a specific older fleet, CCS is usually the safer bet for new investments.
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NACS (Tesla): Now called the North American Charging Standard. With almost every major carmaker in the US switching to Tesla’s plug, this is now a “must-have” for any project in the United States.
3. Why the “Cable Management” Matters for Your ROI
As an operator, it’s not just about the plug—it’s about how that plug is handled. In our factory, we focus on the details that save you money on maintenance:
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Tethered vs. Socket: In Europe, many commercial AC stations use a Socket (Type 2) so drivers can bring their own cables. This reduces your maintenance because there’s no cable for vandals to cut or for cars to run over.
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Durability and Ergonomics: For DC fast chargers, the cables are heavy. We design our connectors with high-grade, impact-resistant materials because in a commercial parking lot, people will drop them. A broken connector means a “dead” station and zero revenue.
4. How to Choose for Your Specific Project
You don’t need to support every connector type. You just need the right one for your site’s goal:
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Public Parking & Retail: In the EU, go with a Type 2 Socket. In the US, a tethered J1772 (Type 1) is the standard.
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Highway Fast Charging: Focus on CCS2 (EU) or a mix of CCS1 and NACS (US).
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Private Fleets: Since you know exactly what vans or trucks you are running, you can standardize on a single connector, which simplifies your electrical layout and lowers your upfront cost.
The Bottom Line
Selecting the right EV charger connector types is the foundation of your site’s compatibility. But remember, the connector is just the “handshake.” The real magic happens in the OCU and PCU controllers inside the machine that manage that power.
Not sure which standard is required for your local regulations? Our engineering team can provide the technical layouts and certification data needed for your specific region.