You may find yourself at your electric car charging station, where you will notice a variety of plugs. These types of plugs can be quite complicated, and it’s definitely useful to know about them. You need to know the type of plug to select for your automobileUNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLUGS That is where this guide steps in to show you the different types of EV charging plugs, how to determine which type you need, and how to choose the right one for your electrified steed.
When you're trying to charge your electric car, you may see a few different types of EV charging plugs. The J1772 plug, the CCS plug, the CHAdeMO plug, and the Tesla plug are some of the most common ones. All of these plugs have unique features and are compatible with various types of electric vehicles.
J1772 Plug The most prevalent type of plug you'll see. It is used for Level 1 and Level 2 charging, so you could charge your car at home and at public charging stations. This plug can be found at most charging locations, and it is compatible with nearly every electric car on the market today. CCS is a fast charging plug (stands for Combined Charging System plug) This type of plug is creating the balance between adoption and technical judgement that is increasingly needed as the electric car frontier continues to expand. Then there’s the CHAdeMO, a different type of fast charging plug. This connector is frequently found on Nissan and certain other electric cars. Finally, we have Tesla plug, which is reserved exclusively for use by Tesla cars.
Knowing what EV charging plug your car needs is very important. This information ensures you can charge your car wherever you find yourself. While if you didn't know which plug your vehicle uses you'll end up in a situation where you are not being able to charge when its mostly needed. Your EV will always be charged up when you need it to be, at home, at work, or on the go, as long as you know your EV charging plug type.
In the guide to the various EV charging plugs, bear in mind the factors of compatibility, charging speed, and availability. The J1772 plug is versatile as it is used in most electric cars and is available at many public charging stations. That means you’ll be able to charge your car almost anywhere with this plug. Both the CCS and CHAdeMO plugs are DC fast charging plugs, meaning they will charge your car significantly faster than the J1772. Take note though, that CCS and CHAdeMO charging stations may not be as prevalent as J1772 plugs, depending on where you live. Finally, the Tesla plug can ONLY be used by Tesla vehicles. It has rapid charging speeds, which are typically only available in Tesla Supercharger locations (which are built for Teslas only).
This guide will run you through the steps necessary to choose the right EV charging plug for you. To start, you have to learn what type of plug your vehicle supports. You can find this information in your car’s owner’s manual, or contact the manufacturer if you’re unsure. Now that you know what plug your car takes, you can start shopping for charging stations that have that particular type of plug. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan in case you arrive at a charging station that doesn’t have the plug you need. In this way, you would not stuck without the option to charge your car.
There are pros and cons to each of the types of EV charging plug. The J1772 plug can be found practically anywhere and is highly versatile, so that's nice. It does, however, lack the fast charging speeds provided by the CCS and CHAdeMO plugs. This means that you can find the J1772 plug very easily, although charging your car takes much longer. Well, the CCS and CHAdeMO plugs are great for fast charging so you can be on the road in no time. But don't forget, those plugs might not be available in every place as the J1772 plug. The Tesla plug is form factored specifically for Tesla vehicles and is the fastest charging. However, it is limited to Tesla cars, and can only be used at Tesla Supercharger stations.
Nanjing Ruifanda New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese high-tech enterprise, is dedicated to the production, R&D and sales of electric vehicle charging equipment. It’s the source factory of EV charging stations.
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