If you're new to electric vehicles in India, the world of connectors can be confusing. You'll hear terms like Type 2, CCS2, AC charging, and DC fast charging thrown around. What do they actually mean, and which one does your EV need?
This guide explains the two most common EV connector standards in India, how they differ, and why CCS2 is becoming the go-to standard for public fast charging.
What Is a Type 2 Connector?
Type 2 (also called IEC 62196 Type 2 or "Mennekes") is an AC (Alternating Current) charging connector. It's the round connector you typically use when charging at home or at slow public chargers.
Type 2 at a Glance
- AC charging (single-phase or three-phase)
- Power: 3.3 kW to 22 kW
- Charge time: 4 - 10+ hours for a full charge
- Used for: Home chargers, workplace chargers, slow public stations
- Connector shape: Circular with 7 pins
Type 2 is perfectly fine for overnight home charging where you have 8-10 hours. But if you need a quick top-up during a road trip or a lunch break, you need something faster.
What Is a CCS2 Connector?
CCS2 stands for Combined Charging System Type 2. It's a DC (Direct Current) fast charging connector that takes the Type 2 plug as its upper half and adds two large DC power pins at the bottom.
CCS2 at a Glance
- DC fast charging (bypasses onboard charger, charges battery directly)
- Power: 30 kW to 350 kW
- Charge time: 20 - 60 minutes (20% to 80%)
- Used for: Highway stations, public fast chargers, commercial fleets
- Connector shape: Type 2 top + 2 large DC pins at bottom
Think of it this way: CCS2 = Type 2 + DC fast charging pins. Every CCS2 port can also accept a Type 2 plug for slower AC charging, but a Type 2 port cannot accept a CCS2 plug.
CCS2 vs Type 2: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Type 2 (AC) | CCS2 (DC) |
|---|---|---|
| Current type | AC (Alternating) | DC (Direct) |
| Max power | 22 kW | 350 kW |
| 20-80% charge time | 4 - 10 hours | 20 - 60 minutes |
| Best for | Home / overnight | On-the-go / highway |
| Cost per kWh | Lower (home tariff) | Slightly higher (station rate) |
| Availability in India | Home chargers included with EV | Growing public network |
Which Connector Does Your EV Use?
In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has mandated CCS2 as the standard for DC fast charging. Most modern Indian EVs come with a CCS2 port for fast charging and a Type 2 port (or use the CCS2 port's Type 2 section) for slow AC charging.
CCS2 Compatible EVs
- Tata Nexon EV / EV Max
- Tata Punch EV
- Tata Tiago EV
- MG ZS EV / Comet
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Kia EV6
- BYD Atto 3 / e6
- BMW iX / i4 / i7
- Mercedes EQS / EQB
- Volvo XC40 Recharge
Non-CCS2 EVs (proprietary)
- Ather 450X (proprietary connector)
- Ola S1 Pro (proprietary connector)
- TVS iQube (proprietary connector)
- Bajaj Chetak (proprietary connector)
Note: Most non-CCS2 vehicles are two-wheelers with proprietary charging systems.
Why OnePlug Uses CCS2
All OnePlug stations use CCS2 DC fast chargers because:
- It's the Indian standard: BIS mandates CCS2 for all DC public charging infrastructure in India.
- Maximum compatibility: Works with 95%+ of four-wheeler EVs sold in India — Tata, MG, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, and more.
- Fast charging saves time: Get 20% to 80% in 30-45 minutes at our 60 kW and 120 kW stations. Perfect for highway stops and quick top-ups.
- Future-proof: CCS2 supports power levels up to 350 kW. As EVs get faster charging capabilities, our infrastructure scales with them.