CCS2 vs CHAdeMO vs Type 2 — Which EV Connector Do You Actually Need?

Walk up to a public charging station for the first time and you might feel like you need an engineering degree to figure out which cable to use. You do not. Here is everything you need to know — in plain language.

The Two Types of Charging: AC and DC

Before we talk connectors, you need to understand the difference between AC and DC charging.

AC (alternating current) charging is slower. It uses the car’s onboard charger to convert power and typically delivers 7–22 kW. Good for overnight charging or long stops.

DC (direct current) charging is fast. It bypasses the car’s onboard charger and delivers power directly to the battery — typically 50 kW to 350 kW. This is what you use for quick top-ups on long drives.

Type 2 (Mennekes) — The European AC Standard

Type 2 is the standard AC connector across Europe. Almost every public charging point and home wallbox uses it. If you drive a European EV, your car almost certainly has a Type 2 port.

Best for: home charging, overnight stops, shopping centres, workplace charging.

CCS2 (Combined Charging System Type 2) — The European DC Standard

CCS2 is Type 2 with two extra DC pins added at the bottom. It is the standard for fast DC charging across Europe and is legally required at all new public fast chargers under EU regulation.

If you drive a modern European EV — including Tesla models sold in Europe since 2022 — you have CCS2.

Best for: motorway charging, fast top-ups, long-distance travel.

CHAdeMO — The Japanese DC Standard

CHAdeMO is a DC fast charging standard developed in Japan, used mainly by Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles. It is still found at many charging stations across Europe but is gradually being phased out in favour of CCS2.

Best for: Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and other Japanese EVs.

What About Tesla?

Tesla vehicles sold in Europe since 2022 come with a CCS2 port as standard. Older Tesla models use a proprietary Tesla connector but can use a CCS2 adapter. Tesla Superchargers in Europe now accept CCS2, making them accessible to all compatible EVs.

Which One Do You Need?

Check your car’s manual or spec sheet. Almost all modern European EVs use CCS2 for fast charging and Type 2 for AC charging. If you drive a newer Nissan or Mitsubishi, you likely also have CHAdeMO.

EV Pluggy automatically filters charging stations by your vehicle’s connector type — so you will only ever see stations that work for your car.