How to Save Money When Buying EV Charging Cable Connector

Jul. 28, 2025

EV charging cables and EV charging plugs explained [] | EVBox

Untangling EV charging cables and plugs

The greatest difference a driver will experience between a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric vehicle (EV) is how they refuel. While filling up a conventional vehicle with gas or diesel is relatively straightforward, switching to electric mobility means trading the familiar gas pump for an EV charging plug. The world of electric car charging can be daunting and confusing at first, with many different types of cables, plugs, and charging ports used around the world.

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With so many variables and new concepts, making sure you’re using the right cable or plug for your charging needs can seem daunting—but it doesn’t have to be. Read on as we untangle the differences between EV charging cables and plugs so you can charge with confidence wherever you go.

EV charging cables

What is an EV charging cable?

EV charger cables are designed to safely deliver power from a power source to your electric car. Some charging stations come with cables attached (these are called tethered charging stations) and others require you to bring your own. Safe to say, charging cables are an essential part of charging an electric vehicle.

Are all EV charging cables the same?

Not at all, EV charging cables come in four forms or “modes”, each used for a certain type of charging. It may get slightly confusing, seeing that the mode does not necessarily correlate to the “level” of charging. In this section, we aim to unpack the difference between Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, and Mode 4 charging cables and determine which is best suited for what type of charging.

EV charging cable types

Mode 1 charging cables

With a Mode 1 cable, you simply connect a light electric vehicle (e-bikes, scooters, but not a car) to a standard AC socket-outlet using an extension cord and standard plug. As a result, there is no communication between the vehicle and the charging point, meaning there are no special safety systems or shock protection. This type of charging is useful for light electric vehicles like e-bikes and scooters, but it’s not considered safe for electric cars and is prohibited in many parts of the world.

Mode 2 charging cables

When you purchase an EV, it usually comes with what’s known as a Mode 2 charging cable. These cables plug into your EV on one end and enable the connection to an ordinary 3-pin domestic socket. Some Mode 2 charging cable are more advanced and offer connectors suitable for different CEE industrial sockets. Mode 2 charging cables come with an In-Cable Control and Protection Device (IC-CPD) which is responsible for the control of the charging process and communication between the electrical power source and the EV.

You can use this cable to plug it into a 3-pin domestic socket and charge without a charging station. While this charging method is undoubtedly convenient, charging using this method can take a long time as most household outlets only deliver up to 2.3 kW of power. It can also be dangerous if handled incorrectly, as it can easily overload your home’s electrical circuit. Therefore, we only recommend using this charging cable if no other options are available. Find out more about how to charge your electric car safely.

Mode 3 charging cables

Mode 3 cables are currently the most common way to charge an EV across the globe. A Mode 3 charging cable connects your vehicle to a dedicated EV charging station—like those found inworkplaces and offices, homes and residential locations, and commercial and public parking lots. These cables are the standard across the world for public and home EV charging using a dedicated charging station, and usually connect to Type 1 or Type 2 charging plugs.

Mode 4 charging cables

Mode 4 charging cables are designed to handle higher power outputs needed for fast charging. Also known as Level 3 charging or DC charging,fast charging can significantly reduce charging times, allowing you to charge an EV in minutes instead of hours. However, as this type of charging transfers much more power directly to the battery, the cables must be permanently connected to the charging station, are a bit heavier, and sometimes even are liquid-cooled, andto handle the excess heat generated by the higher power output.

Where Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3 charging cables can safely deliver alternating current (AC) to the vehicle, Mode 4 charging cables,are designed to transfer direct current (DC) straight to your battery which enables much faster charging times. If you want to learn more about the difference between AC and DC charging, read our dedicated article on that topic here.

EV charging plugs

What is an EV charging plug?

An EV charging plug is the connector that you insert into the charging socket of an electric vehicle, which is connected to the charging cable.

Are all EV charging plugs the same?

No, just like how the plugs of electrical appliances differ depending on the country you're in, EV charging plugs and sockets also vary depending on the vehicle model, type of charging level you use, and country the plugs are manufactured in. Luckily, each region has a specific standard, so you shouldn’t encounter an unfamiliar plug too often.

EV charging plug types

Here’s an overview of types of charging plugs for both AC charging and DC charging with a picture of each (so you know what they’ll look like) and the locations you are likely to find them.

AC charging plugs

These plugs are used when charging at an AC charging station, this could be a public charging station you find in cities, a workplace charger at the office, or a home charging station.

*These numbers represent the maximum power output that a plug can deliver at the time of writing this article. The numbers do not reflect actual power outputs as this is also dependent on the charging station, charging cable and the receptive vehicle.

AC charging plug types explained

Type 1 charging plug

Type 1 plugs—also referred to as SAE J—are most commonly used with vehicle models found in Japan and North America. They are single-phase and can deliver a power output of up to 7.4 kW.

Type 2 charging plug

Type 2 plugs—also referred to as “Mennekes” in reference to the German company that originally designed them—are the official plug standard for the European Union. These three-phase plugs have a higher power transfer capacity than Type 1 plugs, delivering up to 22 kW for private charging and up to 43 kW for public charging. This is because A three-phase power supply can transmit three times as much power as a single-phase power supply.

GB/T charging plug

China developed its own charging system, referred to by its Guobiao national standards as GB/T. There are two variations of GB/T plugs: one for AC charging and one for DC fast charging. The GB/T AC charging plug is single-phase, delivering up to 27.7 kW. While it looks the same as the Type 2 plug, don’t be fooled—its pins and receptors are reversed.

The difference between single-phase and three-phase power

In electricity, a phase refers to the distribution of a load, and single-phase power is a two-wire alternating current (ac) power circuit. There is a more powerful alternative known as three-phase power. The key difference between single-phase vs. three-phase is that a three-phase power supply better accommodates higher loads.

To describe it less technically: A three-phase power supply can transmit three times as much power as a single-phase power supply. Turning the lights on at home? Single-phase power will do. A commercial dishwasher used in restaurants? Three-phase power is usually required.

DC fast-charging plugs

These plugs are used at fast-charging stations usually found alongside highways, at fuel retail locations or dedicated fast-charging hubs.

DC fast-charging plugs explained

CCS charging plug

The Combined Charging System, or CCS for short, is the DC fast-chargingplug standard in North America (CCS1) and Europe (CCS2). It’s called a combined charging system because it supports both AC and DC charging and integrates the Type 1 and 2 AC charging plugs discussed above in their design.

CCS1

The CCS1 plug is an enhanced version of the Type 1 AC plug with two additional power contacts to enable DC fast charging. CCS1 is the most common fast-charging plug across North America besides Tesla's Supercharger technology which has its own plug.CCS1supportspower outputsof up to 350 kW.

CCS2

The CCS2, on the other hand, is an enhanced version of the Type 2 AC plug with two additional power contacts to enable DC fast charging. CCS2 plugs can deliver between 50 kW and 350 kW of DC power. AC charging is also supported by plugging a standard Type 2 (for CCS2) plug into the upper half of the plug while leaving the lower DC power contacts empty. CCS2 is mainly used in Europe, where the Type 2 plug is the dominant AC charging standard.

CHAdeMO

Developed in Japan, theCHAdeMO charging plug enables fast charging of up to 500kW as well as bidirectional charging. At the moment, Asia is leading the way in manufacturing EVs compatible with CHAdeMO plugs, and CHAdeMO announced that they'vedeveloped fast charging technology capable of power outputs between 500 kW and 900 kW.

However, these speeds are not yet widely available and will become more common in Asia as time goes on. You may also find CHAdeMo plugs in Europe, however, since , they have slowly been phased out as CCS2 gained in popularity and became the standard across the continent.

GB/T

The current GB/T DC charging plug can deliver up to 500 kW. China’s Electricity Council is also currently developing a new version, in partnership with the CHAdeMO Association, that could deliver up to a whopping 900 kW. This latest version—called ChaoJi—enables DC charging atover 500 kW while ensuring safety thanks to a durable cable and plug design.

ChoaJi

ChaoJi is backward compatible with both GB/T and CHAdeMO plugs, allowing for an easy transition. ChaoJi is also one of the first charging standards to have built-in support for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology, enabling advanced communication between EVs and the charging infrastructure around them. Backed by China and Japan—a significant collaboration aligning two historically distinct markets—ChaoJi will replace GB/T DC chargers in China (with a version called ChaoJi-1) and CHAdeMO chargers in Japan (ChaoJi-2, also known as CHAdeMO 3.0).

The exception: How to charge a Tesla (and can non-tesla cars use superchargers)?

Tesla charger plug

With over 45,000 Superchargers, Tesla owns and operates the largest fast-charging network in the world. Until recently, this network was exclusively for the high-speed charging of Tesla vehicles, with its own charging connector design. Not too long ago, this meant that Tesla owners who wanted to charge their EVs at a non-Tesla charging station had to familiarize themselves with different connection adapters and that non-Tesla drivers simply couldn’t charge their car at a Tesla charging station.

Non-Tesla supercharger

Tesla made concessions in Europe and adopted CCS2 for their vehicles in the continent. At the same time, Tesla also offered a CCS to the Tesla proprietary plug adapter, allowing Tesla drivers outside of Europe to charge at non-Tesla charging stations. But things have evolved further. In November , Tesla began opening up their network to non-Tesla cars.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of EV Charging Cable Connector. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Tesla NACS

Only a year after that, in November , Tesla shared their EV connector design with the world and invited charging network operators and vehicle manufacturers to put the Tesla charging connector and charge port, now called the North American Charging Standard (NACS), on their equipment and vehicles.

Ready to start charging?

With so many charging cables and plug types out there, it can be confusing to know which one is right for your vehicle. We hope this article has helped you get your head around the most common types so you can start charging with ease.

How to Find the Best Home EV Charger - Consumer Reports

It’s possible to recharge your EV or plug-in hybrid by simply using the supplied cable that came with the car and a nearby 120-volt outlet, the kind found in most North American homes and garages. But this method is very slow; every hour of charging will add only about 3 miles of range.

For drivers who use their EVs daily, a 240-volt Level 2 wall charger—sometimes called electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)—is practically a must. It increases charging speeds to 25 miles of range per hour or more depending on the vehicle and charger combination. We think it’s also a worthwhile investment because charging at home is usually much cheaper than plugging in at public charging stations. And it’s clearly more convenient.

Owners of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) may not need a 240-volt charger because PHEVs can run on gasoline when they run out of charge. And our tests have found that many PHEVs can recharge fully overnight on a 120-volt outlet. But models with larger batteries, such as the BMW X5, take more than a day; 120-volt charge times for PHEVs can be found in the Ratings and Specs section for each model.

Make sure the charger you buy has a connector that fits your vehicle. Most non-Tesla EVs manufactured before have what’s called a J connector, while Tesla vehicles come with a NACS connector, short for North American Charging Standard. Converters are available, although there are currently far more options to convert from a J cord to a vehicle with a NACS outlet than in the other direction. Starting thisyear, more non-Tesla vehicles will come standard with a NACS plug, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to buy a new EV in the near future.

No matter which charger you buy, make sure it has a UL and/or ETL certification mark on the unit itself. This shows that it meets safety and quality standards. Be wary of brands you haven’t heard of, and avoid those with low ratings from owners. If something goes wrong with a charger, it could damage your vehicle or even cause a fire.

With that said, most chargers are pretty reliable. Fewer than 3 percent of survey respondents told us they had problems with their home chargers. The most common were the inability to connect to an app and chargers that stopped charging before the vehicle battery was full.

When shopping for a home charger, consider the following factors, roughly in descending order of importance:

Amperage: We’ve used 40- and 50-amp chargers, but some homes can accommodate 80-amp chargers. Although they cost more, they can nearly double the speed at which some cars charge at home.

Cable length: The length of the charging cable affects where you can mount the EVSE and how easy it will be to reach the car’s charging port. Remember that your next EV may have a charging port in a different location, and you’ll want to be able to reach it. Most cables are between 20 and 25 feet long, and we recommend going for the longest you can afford, usually 25 feet.

Cable management: It’s handy to have a hook to wrap the unused portion of the cable around. Otherwise, if the cable is scattered, it adds clutter in the garage, collects dust, and might cause someone to trip over it. The ability to place the holster for the connector away from the unit might add flexibility in a tight single-car garage. If your connector doesn’t come with a hook, a wall-mounted holder for a garden hose will do the trick and can be found at any hardware store.

Ease of plugging/unplugging: We like to see a high-quality, substantial coupler that lets you smoothly and effortlessly plug and unplug into and out of the car’s port. A solid and secure holster is an advantage, and it gives you confidence that the coupler will stay secure. One is usually included with top brands.

Location: Where you install your charger could determine how easy it is to plug in your car and how much the installation costs. If you have to dig a trench for wiring, even a few feet can add hundreds of dollars. Even indoors, you can save money by installing a charger closer to where electrical service already exists. Ideally, you’ll want to install your charger so that a cable can easily reach the car’s charge port whether it’s on the front, rear, left, or right of the vehicle. Otherwise, you might have to drag the cable across the car’s roof. Consult an electrician before getting your heart set on where a charger can go.

Size: Once you’ve determined where a charger should go, measure to see how much space you have. A wide wall charger or a thick one that sticks out far from the wall may encroach on space or your flexibility in placing it in the garage. Look at all placement options. For instance, a narrow unit might fit on the small strip of wall between two garage doors.

Ability to delay charging via app: Many cars allow you to control the charging time from within the car or via an app, so you can benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity costs, depending on your utility company. If your car doesn’t have this feature, consider a charger that does. Remember that this functionality may not work if the company that manufactured the charger discontinues support. (That’s what happened when the company that made JuiceBox chargers left the U.S. Owners could still charge their cars, but they lost access to the JuiceBox app.

Weatherproofing (optional): For those without a garage, look for a charger that can stand up to inclement weather. Most are claimed to be weatherproof by manufacturers. If you plan to install yours outside, we recommend finding a charger with a NEMA rating of 3, which is a standard set by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association that defines how resistant a product is to environmental hazards. A NEMA 3 rating, which is common on most home chargers, means they’re resistant to nearly all ambient temperatures in addition to the rain, sleet, and snow that the average U.S. consumer would face. The Grizzl-E has a NEMA 4 rating, which means it’s even more watertight. Note that a charging cable can become brittle in extremely cold weather.

How Many Amps Do You Need?
The higher the amperage of a home charger, the faster the charge, but just how fast depends on the electrical system of your car and your home. First, you need to determine how much amperage your home’s electrical system can handle. An electrician can help you figure that out. We recommend at least a 32-amp charger.

Then check to see what kind of charge your vehicle can accept, a spec that can be found on CR’s vehicle model pages. For instance, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 has an 11 kW onboard charger, so it can benefit from a 48-amp charger. A Toyota bZ4X only has a 6.6 kW onboard charger, so it won’t benefit from charging at higher than 30 amps. Several newer EVs are capable of charging at 60 to 80 amps. For applications above 48 amps, it’s recommended that the EVSE is hardwired as opposed to plugged into an outlet like a clothes dryer. Don’t be swayed by low-priced chargers that might charge less quickly. We recommend avoiding 16-amp chargers entirely. Onboard charger size and amperage information can be found in the Ratings and Specs section for the EV you’re interested in.

Should You Hardwire or Plug In Your Charger?
It depends. A plug-in type benefits from portability. These chargers can be readily replaced as needed, and they’re easy to take with you when you move or even when you’re on vacation if you rent a home. But a plug-in charger may not be able to run at as high an amperage as a hardwired model, so it may charge a little bit slower. Some high-amperage chargers require hardwiring.

Should You Buy a Smart Charger?
Not necessarily. Most EVs, like those from Nissan shown below, allow you to view charging status and get notifications through the car manufacturer’s app, and smart WiFi-connected chargers tend to cost more up front. But many utility companies offer rebates only on WiFi-connected models, which can cover the added expense.

Do You Have Frequent Power Outages?
If you live in an area that has frequent power outages, charging might not resume once the power is back on, and you could be surprised to find out that your EV isn’t sufficiently charged when you’re ready to drive. Some chargers and vehicles require the user to manually restart the charging session after a power outage. In those situations, it may be helpful to get a smart charger that can send an alert to your if charging is interrupted, or buy an EV with a similar feature. If you have a generator for your home, consult an electrician to make sure it can handle charging an EV when the power is out.

kW: Kilowatt, or one thousand watts. This is the unit for electrical power. Multiply volts (240) by the amperage rating of your charger and divide by 1,000 to determine how many kW can be sent to your vehicle.

kWh: Kilowatt hour. A unit of energy that’s stored inside a battery, expressing the battery’s capacity. Think of a battery’s kWh capacity as the equivalent of how many gallons of gas a tank can hold.

Level 2 charger: A 240-volt charger that can be installed at home or in a public place. It adds 20 to 40 miles of charge per hour and can fully charge an EV’s battery overnight. Public versions can be free or cost money depending on the location and provider.

NEMA: National Electrical Manufacturers Association. A trade group that sets standards for electrical products, such as types of plugs.

Type 1 connector: Also called J, this is a type of charger plug used on many American and European EVs and PHEVs that aren’t made by Tesla.

NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector: Also called J, this is a combination AC/DC charging plug used on Tesla vehicles that’s being introduced on EVs from other brands. Adapters exist to convert between NACS and CCS.

UL Listed: It’s wise to pick an EVSE that’s UL or ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories) listed, which indicates it complies with safety standards established by nationally recognized testing labs. Every charger featured here has such a safety rating, indicated by a seal on the box, the owner’s manual, or the unit itself.

Voltage: A measure of the force that moves electrical current. At the same amperage, a 120-volt outlet moves electricity more slowly than a 240-volt outlet, so an EV will charge less quickly when plugged into a 120-volt outlet. That’s why you have to install a special kind of outlet to plug in a Level 2 EV charger.

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