Type 2
Mennekes
The AC charging plug of Europe, the UK and Australia. The spec allows 43 kW, but most new cars stop at 11 kW and most UK homes at 7.4 kW.
DominantEurope's required AC plug
Get the type 2 charging cable (opens in a new tab)Does it matter to you?
You're renting an EV in Europe, the UK or Australia
Type 2 is the AC plug there, and many public posts have no cable. Make sure the car comes with a Type 2 cable. Fast DC chargers have their own fixed CCS2 cable.
You're choosing a home charger or cable
Speed depends on your supply and your car. One phase, usual in UK homes, gives up to 7.4 kW. Three phases give 11 or 22 kW, if the car accepts it.
You drive in North America or Japan
Cars there use J1772 (Type 1) or NACS for AC, so you won't meet Type 2 at home. China uses its own GB/T plug.
- Carries
- AC
- DC via CCS2's two extra pins
- Spec maximum
- 43 kW
- Three-phase, 400 V, 63 A
- Most new cars
- 11 kW
- 434 of 667 EVs on sale in Europe
- Pins
- 7
- 3 phases, N, earth, 2 signal
- Required by
- EU law
- On new AC points since 2017
Type 2 is the top half of CCS2
A CCS2 inlet is a Type 2 inlet with two DC pins added below. A Type 2 cable plugs into the top half for AC; a CCS2 plug fills the whole inlet for DC. Every EV on sale in Europe uses this inlet.
Older Tesla Model S and X in Europe used a modified Type 2 inlet for both AC and Supercharger DC. Some older cars, such as early Nissan Leafs, have a Type 1 inlet and need a Type 1-to-Type 2 cable at Type 2 posts.
| Car | AC | DC |
|---|---|---|
| CCS2 car | CCS2 (Type 2 on top)AC + DC | |
| Older Tesla Model S or X, Europe | Tesla Type 2AC + DC | |
| Older Nissan Leaf, UK | Type 1AC | CHAdeMODC |
43 kW in the spec, 11 kW in most cars
Type 2 power depends on the supply. One phase, normal in UK homes, gives up to 7.4 kW; three phases give 11 or 22 kW. The car's onboard charger sets the real limit: 434 of 667 EVs on sale in Europe stop at 11 kW, even with options.
AC charging power through a Type 2 plug
| Row | Power |
|---|---|
| Three-phase, 63 A, Spec ceiling; Zoe Q210 used it | 43 kW |
| Three-phase, 32 A, 222 of 667 EVs on sale, often optional | 22 kW |
| Type 1 (J1772), Single-phase, 240 V, 80 A | 19.2 kW |
| Three-phase, 16 A, 400 V across three phases | 11 kW |
| Single-phase, 32 A, 230 V; usual UK home maximum | 7.4 kW |
| Most new cars' AC limit, 434 of 667 EVs on sale in Europe | 11 kW |
Where you'll plug into Type 2
Type 2 is the AC plug of Europe, the UK and Australia. North America, Japan, South Korea and China use other plugs.
- Standard
- Partial
- Niche
- Not used
| Region | 2026 | Heading toward |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | Standard937,000 public AC points, Aug 2026 | Standard2026 rules still require it on new AC points |
| United Kingdom | StandardStandard AC plug; most AC posts untethered | StandardRequired on new public AC points since 2017 |
| Australia, New Zealand | StandardThe usual AC plug on EVs | StandardCCS2, its DC form, leads in Australia |
| Japan, South Korea | Not usedType 1 (J1772) is the AC plug | Not usedSome NACS cars from 2027, not Type 2 |
| US, Canada | Not usedCars use J1772 or NACS | Not usedAutomakers moving to NACS |
Levels are Plughopper's reading of the figures shown, not an official classification.
Type 2 against the other AC plugs
| Attribute | Type 2 (this page)Dominant | Type 1 (J1772)Declining | NACSGrowing | GB/T ACDominant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three-phase AC | Yes, up to 63 A | No, single-phase | No, single- or split-phase | Not used; pins reserved |
| Pins | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| DC through the same inlet | Yes, as CCS2 (adds 2 DC pins) | Yes, as CCS1 (adds 2 DC pins) | Yes, through the same pins | No, separate DC inlet |
| Main markets | EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand | US, Canada, Japan, South Korea | US and Canada | China |
From a German proposal to European law
Mennekes proposed the plug in 2009 and the IEC standardized it in 2011. The European Commission chose it as Europe's common plug in January 2013, and EU law has required it on new AC charging points since November 2017.
- 2009
Mennekes proposal
German connector maker Mennekes proposes the seven-pin plug, first published as a German VDE rule.
- Oct 2011
International standard
IEC 62196-2 publishes it as Type 2, months after European carmakers (ACEA) backed it for public charging.
- Jan 2013
Europe picks Type 2
The European Commission announces Type 2 as the common plug for the whole of Europe.
- 2013–2022
Teslas Supercharge through it
Model S and X in Europe take DC through a modified Type 2 inlet, later at up to 150 kW. Model 3 brings CCS2 in 2019; new S and X follow in 2022.
- Nov 2017
Required by EU law
Directive 2014/94/EU requires Type 2 on AC charging points built or renewed from 18 November 2017.
- Apr 2024
AFIR takes over
The new EU regulation keeps Type 2 for AC. A 2025 update applies it to points installed from January 2026.
- Aug 2026
937,000 public AC points in the EU
Against 222,000 DC points, in the EU's own count under AFIR definitions.
What catches people out
Many posts have no cable
Zapmap says most UK public AC chargers are untethered, and CarsGuide reported the same in Australia. Without a Type 2 cable you can't use them. If you rent an EV, check one is in the car.
A 22 kW post won't double your speed
The car's onboard charger sets the AC limit. 434 of 667 EVs on sale in Europe stop at 11 kW, so they charge at 11 kW on a 22 kW post. On many others, 22 kW is only an option.
Check your phases before a 22 kW wallbox
22 kW needs a three-phase supply. Zapmap says most UK homes have one phase, which caps a home charger at 7.4 kW. On one phase, a 22 kW unit charges no faster.
Older Type 1 cars need a different cable
Some older cars, such as early Nissan Leafs, have a Type 1 inlet. At Type 2 posts they need a Type 1-to-Type 2 cable, with the Type 1 end in the car.
Driving a Type 2 car? Carry your own cable
Many public AC posts have a socket and no cable. These are the pieces a Type 2 driver actually uses.
- Type 2 charging cableType 2 to Type 2, 32 A three-phase, for posts with no cableView on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
- Portable Type 2 chargerType 2 into the car, household plug into the wall; slow, for emergenciesView on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
- Type 1 to Type 2 cableFor older Type 1 cars: Type 1 end into the car, Type 2 into the postView on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Amazon links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Questions
What is a Type 2 charger?
Type 2 (IEC 62196-2, often called Mennekes) is the seven-pin AC charging plug used across Europe, the UK and Australia. It carries single-phase or three-phase AC, up to 43 kW in the spec. EU law requires it on new AC charging points. Its DC version is CCS2, which adds two pins below.
How fast does Type 2 charge?
It depends on the supply and the car. Single-phase gives up to 7.4 kW, three-phase 11 or 22 kW, and the spec tops out at 43 kW. Most new cars stop at 11 kW on AC, even with options: 434 of 667 EVs on sale in Europe in October 2026.
Do I need my own cable to charge with Type 2?
Often, yes. Zapmap says most UK public AC chargers are untethered, so you plug your own Type 2 cable into the post. Rapid DC chargers have a fixed CCS2 cable. If you rent an EV, check a Type 2 cable is in the car.