The difference is the connector on your car, and it decides which cable will physically fit. Type 2 is the seven-pin standard on almost every EV and plug-in hybrid sold in the UK since 2018. Type 1 is an older five-pin connector found on a handful of earlier cars. Check your car's inlet, or enter your reg and we will read it for you, then browse cables by car to see only what fits.
At a glance: Type 1 vs Type 2
| Feature | Type 1 (J1772) | Type 2 (Mennekes) |
|---|---|---|
| Pins | 5 | 7 |
| Phases | Single phase only | Single or three phase |
| Max AC power | Around 7.4kW | Up to 22kW (43kW on a few) |
| Locking latch | No | Yes, locks while charging |
| Found on | Some pre-2018 cars | All UK EVs since 2018 |
What is a Type 2 connector?
Type 2, also called Mennekes, is the seven-pin AC connector mandated as the European standard. It handles single or three-phase power up to 22kW (and up to 43kW on a small number of cars), and it locks into the inlet while charging so it cannot be pulled out mid-session. Every EV and plug-in hybrid sold new in the UK since 2018 uses it, which is why a Type 2 to Type 2 lead is the default cable for most drivers.
What is a Type 1 connector?
Type 1, or J1772, is an older five-pin connector limited to single-phase charging at around 7.4kW. It has no locking latch, so the cable is held only by the car's software lock or not at all. You will find it on earlier cars such as the first-generation Nissan Leaf and the early Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, plus some imports. It is not used on new UK cars.
How do I know which one my car has?
Open the charging flap and count the pins, or check the handbook: five pins means Type 1, seven means Type 2. The simplest route is to enter your registration and let the checker identify the inlet for you. As a rule of thumb, if your car was first registered from 2018 onward it is almost certainly Type 2.
Which cable do I need for each?
If your car is Type 2, you need a Type 2 to Type 2 cable. If your car is Type 1, you need a Type 2 to Type 1 cable, because the charger end at home and public points is always Type 2. In both cases the car end is the part that must match your inlet. Browse the right options at Type 2 charging cables.
Can you use a Type 2 cable on a Type 1 car?
No. A Type 2 connector will not fit a Type 1 inlet, so a Type 2 to Type 2 cable is useless on a Type 1 car. You need a dedicated Type 2 to Type 1 lead. Adapters exist but are best avoided for safety and warranty reasons, so buy the correct cable for your car rather than trying to convert one you already own.
Frequently asked questions
Is Type 2 better than Type 1?
Type 2 is newer and more capable: it supports three-phase charging up to 22kW and locks during charging, while Type 1 is single phase up to 7.4kW with no latch. Neither is better for you personally though, you simply need whichever your car's inlet uses.
Can I charge a Type 1 car at a Type 2 charge point?
Yes. Home wallboxes and public untethered points have a Type 2 socket, so you use a Type 2 to Type 1 cable: Type 2 into the charger, Type 1 into your car. The charge point does not care which car connector is on the other end of your lead.
Do new cars still use Type 1?
No. Every new EV and plug-in hybrid sold in the UK now uses Type 2. Type 1 only appears on older cars, so unless you drive a pre-2018 model or an older import, you almost certainly need a Type 2 to Type 2 cable.
Is CCS the same as Type 2?
CCS adds two large DC pins beneath a Type 2 connector for rapid charging. For your own AC charging cable you only deal with the Type 2 part on top, and rapid DC chargers have their own attached cable, so CCS never affects which lead you buy.
Can I get an adapter from Type 1 to Type 2?
It is best avoided. Adapters can introduce safety and warranty issues, and the correct Type 2 to Type 1 cable is inexpensive. Use the right lead for your car rather than adapting a Type 2 to Type 2 cable you already own.
Which cars use Type 1 in the UK?
Mostly older models: the early Nissan Leaf (24 and 30kWh), the first Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, some early Kia and Vauxhall models, and various pre-2018 imports. If in doubt, check the inlet or enter your registration in our checker.
In short, match the car end of the cable to your inlet and the charger end takes care of itself. Not sure which you need overall? Read which EV charging cable do I need or check the power side in 7.4kW vs 22kW.