Which connector do public chargers in Europe use?
AFIR requires at least Type 2 at public AC points and Combo 2 (CCS) at public DC points. One car inlet takes both: Type 2 above, two DC pins below.
Explained in
What do connector types tell you?Type 2 for AC, Combo 2 for DC: which connectors EU law requires, how one car inlet takes both plugs, and why public DC chargers have a fixed cable.The inlet of a European electric car combines both: the upper part has the Type 2 shape for AC, below it sit two large pins for DC. An AC cable fills only the upper part. A DC plug covers both, but uses the large pins for energy and the upper part only for communication.
Terms
- AFIRAlternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (EU) 2023/1804: EU rules for public charging, from payment to coverage.
- Type 2The seven-pin AC connector that EU law requires at public AC charge points.
- Combo 2The DC connector of the combined charging system: the Type 2 shape with two DC pins below, required at public DC points in the EU.
Related questions
- What is the difference between AC and DC charging?With AC, the car's onboard charger converts the current, which limits power, often to 11 or 22 kW. With DC, the charger carries the converter itself and can deliver far more.
- Why do fast chargers have such thick cables?A cable is sized for current, and heat grows with the square of it. At the highest currents, a liquid circuit cools cable and connector so the cable stays manageable.
- Why do two cars at one charger get less power?Many chargers divide their power modules between two outlets. A car that is fuller asks for less, so the modules move to the other car.
- What does charger uptime mean?Uptime is the share of time a charge point is online, available and delivers energy. At 97%, it may be out for about 11 days a year at most.