EVs are the largest leap in technological change for mobility this century. They’ve been around awhile, but now the economics, practicality and environmental factors are very much in their favor. Not all EVs charge equally, plus range fluctuates between makes and models considerably. And not all EVs can use the same kind of charger, due to their age, country of origin, charging network exclusivity or differences in plug type.
Why don’t all EVs use the same EV Chargers?
Because Australia was kind of slow getting on the EVs road you’ll find most EVs sold here are Type 2 Charger vehicles. But there’s a small group of Type 1 socketed EVs on the road. Type 2 EV Chargers are standard type of EV Charger in Europe (also known as the EU standard). Type 2 Chargers make up overwhelmingly the bulk of charging stations throughout Australia.
What Charger Types are standard of Australian EVs?
Most EVs sold in Australia are fitted with a Type 2 Charger and a CCS2 Charger.
What’s the difference between Type 2 Charging (AC) and CCS2 (DC)?
The Type 2 Charger is for charging on an AC current anything from a household 240V outlet to a 7 Kwh Single Phase to 22 Kwh 3 Phase Charging Station. To use a Type 2 Charger you need the following cables which are normally not standard and sold separately when you purchase your EV. You’d a Type 2 Portable Charger for charging on a standard 240V outlet (the outlet you have at home). A Type 2 Charging Cable either 7Kwh or 22Kwh to Charge on Public Charging Stations and lastly a Type 1 to Type 2 Adapter to Charge on the older Type 1 Stations. Type 2 Chargers are my favourite type of charging. They’re easier and cheaper to install on premises unlike CCS2 Chargers and charging on an AC current pretty much means you can charge almost anywhere (especially with a Type 2 Portable Charger).
CCS2 isn’t always standard nor available on all EVs in Europe, but are normally standard on most EVs sold NEW in Australia since 2020. PHEVs are not fitted with CCS2. When you have CCS2, it’s amazing. Yes it costs more money to charge on CCS2, but it’s fast….. CCS2 Charges your vehicle on a DC current, which means it’s direct and can do greater Kwh in a shorter period of time. Your vehicle can be limited by the number of DC Kwhs it can take, but the bare minimum I’ve seen for CC2 in 50 Kwh an hr. Some of the very new EVs can do 250 Kwh charging speed (provided you can find a CCS2 Charging station that can charge at that rate). I wouldn’t recommend charging your EV on CCS2 or a DC current all the time, as it does generate heat which is known to make EV batteries age faster. However CCS2 is great when you’re in a hurry or just don’t have to time to charge on Type 2 Charging Stations. It’s best for long road trips or the occasional weekend up to visit grandma. (Keep in mind there are charger wait times).
What the Charging exception?
The only exception to these expectations in Australia are CHAdeMO and Type 1. CHAdeMO is commonly found on early model EVs or Grey imports from Japan. Type 1 Chargers (either in combination with or without CHAdeMO) are found on early EVs and even PHEVs. Models such as the Nissan Leaf range are known to have Type 1 Chargers as well as many PHEV Japanese and European cars sold in the early 2010s. CHAdeMO is the Japanese electric vehicle standard for DC Charging and Type 1 (J1772) is the electric vehicle standard for AC Charging. Both were the early versions of EV Charging in Australia, until we adopted the Type 2 and CCS2 Standards (which charge faster).
What’s the deal with EV Charging Networks?
It’s whack, not so bad. Tesla kind of have a confusing control over EV Charging Stations. Most Tesla Stations are fitted with Type 2 or CCS2, but there’s a catch. Not all of them let you charge your non-Tesla. Yep, you need a Tesla to use them… Which kind of defeats the point of having an almost Universal EV Plug type standard in Australia (Type 2 and CCS2). Early on when first starting JUCER I used to receive disgruntled phone calls from owners of other EV branded vehicles about this issue. If the plug looks the same (is the same), how would you know if your EV isn’t compatible. However there are now heaps of EV Charging Stations popping up around the country, additionally there are heaps of great apps for finding them. Such as Plugshare and Evie Networks.
Knowing which charger your car uses is important and will likely save you from headaches down the road.
Are you thinking about buying your first EV? Here are some helpful EV buying guides by JUCER.
Thinking of buying an EV? EV Charging basics Speed + Range. – JUCER
EV Chargers, what exactly is a Type 2 Portable Charger and how do I us – JUCER
EV Charging. Just got a KIA Niro? What you need to know. – JUCER
How Owning An EV In Australia Is More Affordable Than Ever! – JUCER
Polestar smashes global sales for 2021, here’s why. – JUCER
Disclaimer: JUCER does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data and accepts no liability whatsoever arising from or connected in any way to the use or reliance upon this data.
