EV Charging Connectors Guide

Shopping for a new vehicle to put in your garage? Do you want to spend less money on refueling and maintenance? We have several electric vehicles (EVs) from some of the world’s top brands for sale that will help you have a fantastic driving experience wherever you go. 

You’ll need to know about the different types of EV charging connectors to help you decide if owning an EV is right for you. Different automakers may have different incentives and charging connectors compatible with their vehicles. But fear not, EV charging connectors are very easy to understand. 

Get more details with our EV charging connector guide from the team Holman!

Three Types of EV Charging Connectors for Your Vehicle

Across North America, you’ll see three different EV charging levels, which we’ll delve into with our EV charging connector guide. Each level utilizes a separate type of EV charging connector.

1. Domestic Outlet Home Charging (Regular Outlet, Level 1): A standard grounded (three-prong) 110V/120V charging outlet offers the slowest type of EV charging. You could charge an EV in 24 to 48 hours using Level 1 charging.
2. Installed Brand-Approved Domestic Charging (Level 2): Level 2 charging is faster, and it requires a professionally installed charging device in your garage. Level 2 charging provides a full charge for your EV in 8 to 12 hours, depending on the vehicle you choose. The charge time depends on the battery size.
3. Public Charging (Level 3): Also known as DC Fast Charging, this specialized system delivers electricity to get 80% capacity in as little as 30 minutes (again, depending on the model). Due to its high power requirements, this type of charging is not available in your home.

Home EV Charging Connector

For your home charging system, we highly recommend installing a Type 1 EV charging connector in your garage or carport. This type of EV charging connector provides a specialized five-pin outlet designed to charge your EV at home overnight. It allows higher amounts of electricity to flow, which is why you need a professional electrician to install this type of charging connector. Many luxury manufacturers offer incentives to install this charger to cover the costs of the parts needed.

Combined Charging System (CCS) EV Charging Connector

A CCS connection is what you find at DC Fast Public Charging stations. These types of EV charging connectors work with many brands, although some manufacturers have their own specialized public charging stations. You can find locations with CCS chargers using your vehicle’s GPS or apps on your smartphone. A CCS station offers two additional pins (seven pins total) to manage the additional electrical load going into your vehicle.

How to Choose the Right Types of EV Charging Connectors

Your EV manufacturer will determine the correct types of EV charging connectors you’ll need. Some manufacturers offer free public charging for a year or two as an incentive to purchase one of these new vehicles. Many automakers have relationships with home charging station manufacturers to ensure you get the best experience.

You’ll want a safe and reliable system that is compatible with future EV charging standards as batteries evolve. Think about how you’ll drive, too. Are you on the road and out of town a lot, where you might need more public fast chargers? Do you expect to stay within a few miles of your home? Using DC Fast Charging more often than home charging will likely be more expensive and it could lower your battery’s efficiency at a fast rate. But DC Fast Charging is still less expensive than gasoline, in general.

Test Drive a New Electric Vehicle Today!

We hope our EV charging connector guide gave you a lot of pertinent details. Ready to explore your EV options with us? Contact us or call to schedule a test drive with our team. 

Several automakers have great EVs for sale, including Ford, Audi, BMW, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz. We invite you to explore their models to see what fits your lifestyle.