There are various charging connectors for electric vehicles (EVs), with some car models using exclusive connectors while others using more universal options.
North American consumers frequently turn to the SAE J1772 connector for Level 1 and Level 2 charging, offering both AC and DC capabilities.
USB Type-A
There are various kinds of USB connectors, each offering its own set of benefits for various applications. Selecting the ideal type for your use could make a considerable difference to speed, power consumption and versatility of devices being connected.
If you want to connect a new smartphone to your computer for charging and data transfer purposes, the Type-C connector may be best suited. It features a symmetrical design which avoids awkward orientation issues when plugging cables in.
Other than a Type-C connector, when buying or using a new device you should also take into account all available USB cables and peripherals such as USB-A and USB-B cables as well as Micro-USB and Lightning cables.
USB-A is the most commonly found in computers and laptops, as well as used on peripherals like keyboards, mice, and memory sticks.
These cables are also the most affordable, with wide price variations to meet most users’ budgets. However, novice users may find them difficult to use due to varying port types and the cable form specification.
Type-A plugs are compatible with all versions of Universal Serial Bus, featuring a rectangular shape with four contacts on their top edge and an “ID” pin for identification of which end of a cable has been plugged in.
Type-A plugs typically connect their ID pin to GND while Type-B plugs leave it disconnected; additionally, USB 3.0 cables feature nine additional pins that facilitate faster data transfer.
Mini-USB connectors can be found on portable cameras, game controllers, and some old mobile phones, offering portability while staying within USB specifications. There are two variants of Mini USB: Mini A and Mini B.
This connector type can often be found on smaller devices like smartphones and tablet computers. Additionally, older laptops that do not feature the latest USB Type-C ports also make use of this connector type.
USB Type-B
There is an assortment of USB cables and connectors, classified based on physical design (Type A, B and C) as well as speed/functionality requirements (USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0).
Before purchasing a USB cable or connector, it’s essential that you identify which type best meets your needs. Doing this will help guarantee you purchase an appropriate product and maximize its potential with your device.
Type-A USB connectors are widely found on computers, tablets, TVs and other devices, typically featuring flat, rectangular interfaces that can be inserted either direction.
Type-A connectors typically feature one wider end for the host device and one narrower end for peripheral devices, making it ideal for devices which must be connected in an exact fashion, such as cameras, game consoles and media players.
Type-A plugs feature an additional “ID” pin which enables receptacles to identify which end of the cable is being used and helps avoid jammed plugs from becoming stuck together.
Micro-B connectors can be found on many mobile devices like smartphones and portable hard drives. There is one configuration for USB 2.0 connections and another one specifically tailored to be compatible with USB 3.0/3.1 connections.
USB is often found on older Android devices as well as external hard drives, and is an ideal method of quickly moving large volumes of data between them.
A Type-B USB connector is a square cross-section designed for peripheral devices like printers and external hard drives, similar to its larger cousin, the Type-A. However, its top corners feature beveling while being smaller in size than its larger cousin.
These USB cables can often be found on mobile phones and tablets, although their popularity has begun to decrease over time. They’re also ideal for connecting battery packs, portable chargers, and other accessories to an active USB device.
Finally, Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads utilize Type-C USB connectors that feature oval shapes that are reversible for easy connectivity.
Micro-USB B
Many USB charging connectors can be confusing to those unfamiliar with them; these include micro USB, mini USB and even Type C connectors.
Although different connector types offer slightly differing functions, all USB cable connections serve the same general purposes – data transfer, charging devices and connecting them together. Therefore, it’s essential that you understand all your available USB cable options to select the perfect one for yourself and meet all of your needs.
Type-A is the most ubiquitous USB plug found today, supporting all versions and often serving as cables for other types such as Micro and USB-C.
The Mini-B: This smaller and fatter version of the Micro-B port is typically found on digital cameras. Backward compatible to USB 1.1 and 2.0 speeds, but not 3.0 speeds, Mini-B connections provide seamless functionality when used for camera connection.
Mini-B cables may no longer be popular among modern devices, but can still be found in older digital cameras and portable electronics. You may be able to find an adapter to convert Mini-B cables to Micro-B connectors – please consult the manual of each cable before doing this.
USB-C: This rectangular-shaped plug is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after ports for smartphones and tablets, offering data, video streaming, charging capabilities in an incredibly lightweight form factor.
Compact in size, the microUSB connector is ideal for phones and tablets but can also be used with laptops and desktop computers. Unlike its A-B counterpart, this adapter supports simultaneous data upload/download capability – making it suitable for high-speed transfers between mobile devices.
Find USB cables in various colors and sizes that best meet your needs; at an economical price point they are also great to have on hand for future upgrades.
There’s also the USB-AB: this version of Micro-B cable was specifically created to work with both USB 2.0 and 3.0 connections, making it an excellent option for external hard drives that need both high-speed and low-speed connections.
CHAdeMO
CHAdeMO was developed by a consortium of Japanese automakers including Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi as an electric vehicle (EV) charging connector type. For years it was one of the most widely adopted EV charging formats worldwide but is slowly falling out of favour.
Even so, CHAdeMO charging technology remains widely utilized among electric cars from several Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi Outlander and Kia Soul – meaning you can still easily locate CHAdeMO charging points around the US or globally.
The primary distinction between CHAdeMO and CCS lies in their respective charging ports: CHAdeMO requires its own dedicated charging port on your car while CCS relies on one connector that supports both AC and DC power sources – enabling car manufacturers to more easily create vehicles that accept both types of charging.
CHAdeMO also stands out by supporting vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration, which enables you to charge your electric vehicle (EV) directly from the grid – potentially cutting your energy costs and carbon emissions while potentially saving money and lowering emissions.
There are numerous methods EV owners can connect their vehicle to the grid, but CHAdeMO stands out as the most commonly adopted format. Backed by several international companies and standard for charging Level 1 and 2 chargers alike.
Your electric vehicle may also be connected to your home electricity supply through a CHAdeMO inlet if there is a compatible battery management system installed, potentially reducing energy costs and saving money on recharge sessions.
Lastly, CHAdeMO is another powerful charging standard with up to 500Kw charging capacity – providing your EV with increased range.
If you’re uncertain which connectors will best suit your EV needs, conducting some preliminary research is recommended. Check EV charging maps such as Zap-Map, PlugShare and OpenChargeMap to determine what types of chargers are available near your location.
At first glance, the future of charging electric vehicles appears promising. Most new EVs now feature both CCS and CHAdeMO plugs – with only Nissan Leaf still using only CHAdeMO charging plugs.