EV Charger Types Explained: Type 1, Type 2, and Rapid Charging

Moving to an electric car is exciting, but the world of charging can feel like a maze of new terms. What’s the difference between ‘Fast’ and ‘Rapid’? What’s a Type 2 or a CCS connector? And what do you actually need for your home?

It’s easy to get lost in the jargon. But in reality, it’s much simpler than it looks. This guide will clearly break down everything you need to know about EV charger types, speeds, and connectors, so you can choose the right one for your home with confidence.

The Main EV Charger Types by Speed (How Fast Are They?)

When people talk about different “types” of EV chargers, they’re usually talking about the power output, measured in kilowatts (kW). This is the most important factor as it dictates the charging speed.

Type 1: Slow Charging (Up to 3kW)

• What it is: This is a standard 3-pin UK plug, often called a “granny charger” or “trickle charger.”
• Speed: Very slow. It typically adds only about 8-10 miles of range for every hour it’s plugged in.
• Best for: Emergency use or occasional overnight top-ups on a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a small battery. It’s not recommended for daily use for a fully electric car, as it could take over 24 hours to charge a large battery from empty.

Type 2: Fast Charging (7kW – 22kW)

• What it is: This is the standard for home and workplace charging.
• Speed:
  • 7kW: This is the UK standard for home chargers. It adds around 25-30 miles of range per hour, making it perfect for fully charging your car overnight.
  • 22kW: These are much rarer for homes as they require a “three-phase” electricity supply, which most UK homes do not have (we have a “single-phase” supply). You’ll find 22kW chargers more commonly at public destinations like supermarkets, gyms, and car parks.

Type 3: Rapid & Ultra-Rapid Charging (50kW – 350kW+)

• What it is: This is the “petrol station” equivalent for EVs. You’ll find these high-powered chargers at motorway services and dedicated charging hubs.
• Speed: Extremely fast. A 50kW Rapid charger can add 100+ miles in about 30-40 minutes. Ultra-Rapid chargers (150kW+) can do the same in as little as 10-15 minutes, depending on your car.
• Key Point: These chargers use DC power, not AC. This is why they’re so much faster than home chargers.

Home vs. Public Charging: What’s the Difference?

You’ll do your charging in two main places: at home, or out and about at public chargers.

Home Charging: Your Everyday Solution

This is where you’ll do 90% of your charging. It’s the cheapest, most convenient way to own an EV. You simply plug in when you get home and wake up to a full battery every morning.

• Uses a 7kW Fast Charger (like the ones WarmZilla sells and installs).
• Allows you to take full advantage of cheaper overnight electricity tariffs (like Economy 7 or specific EV tariffs from providers like Octopus Energy).
• No waiting, no hassle, just reliable charging whenever you need it.

While the original OZEV grant for homeowners has ended, you may still be eligible for a government grant for EV chargers if you rent or own a flat.

Public Charging: For Top-Ups & Long Journeys

Public chargers are for when you’re on a long journey or just need to top up while you’re out.

• It’s a mix of Fast (22kW chargers at destinations) and Rapid/Ultra-Rapid (50kW+ chargers for quick top-ups).
• It’s more expensive than charging at home, often costing two or three times as much per kWh.
• You can find them using apps like Zapmap, which show locations, speeds, and availability.

EV Charging Cost & Savings Calculator

Your Petrol/Diesel Vehicle

Fuel Economy

MPG35

L/100km8.07

Fuel per litre

£1.50

Electric Vehicle

Efficiency

wh/mi280

mi/kWh3.57

Cost of home
charging per kWh

£0.28

Cost of public
charging per kWh

£0.50

Annual Mileage

Annual Mileage

10000

Charging Profile

Free Charging

0%

Paid Charging

Public20%

Home80%

Get Quote

EV Charging Cost & Savings Calculator Disclaimer

Please Note: A Guide, Not a Guarantee

The results from this calculator are a personalised estimate based on the figures you provide. They are intended for illustrative purposes and to be used as a guide. The actual savings you achieve may differ because real-world conditions are variable.
The key differences between this calculation and real-world outcomes are:

Vehicle Efficiency: The calculator uses the efficiency figure you provide (e.g., official WLTP miles/kWh or MPG). However, your actual, day-to-day efficiency will be uniquely affected by your personal driving style, speed, terrain, and weather conditions, which can alter your energy consumption. Energy & Fuel Prices: This tool provides a snapshot based on the prices you enter today for home electricity, public charging, and petrol/diesel. These rates are variable and likely to fluctuate over time, which will impact your actual annual costs and savings. Charging Profile: Your calculation is based on the charging mix you have estimated (e.g., the percentage of charging at home, at public chargers, or for free). This disclaimer notes that your actual costs will depend on how closely your real-world charging habits throughout the year match this initial estimate. For example, frequent long-distance travel may lead to a higher reliance on public charging than you originally predicted, which would alter your average costs.

This tool compares fuel/energy costs only and does not include other ownership expenses like insurance, maintenance, or the vehicle's purchase price. All figures are provided as a guide and do not constitute a guarantee of savings

EV Connector Types Explained (Will the Plug Fit My Car?)

Just like your phone charger, EV charging uses different plugs. Thankfully, this has become much simpler in the UK as a single standard has emerged for home charging.

For AC Charging (Home & Fast): Type 2

This is the universal standard in the UK and Europe for all new EVs, including Tesla. All 7kW home chargers (like ours) will either have a Type 2 socket or a tethered cable with a Type 2 plug. Any 22kW public AC charger will also use this.

(You may sometimes hear about Type 1 connectors. This was an older standard used on cars like the first-generation Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. These cars are now less common, and you can easily get a Type 1-to-Type 2 cable if needed. But for any new EV, you only need to think about Type 2).

For DC Charging (Rapid): CCS & CHAdeMO

These plugs are only found on public Rapid chargers.

• CCS (Combined Charging System): This is the new standard for Rapid charging. Most modern EVs (from Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Polestar, Ford, and even new Teslas) use this port. It’s essentially a Type 2 port with two large DC pins added underneath.
• CHAdeMO: This is the older rapid standard, famously used by the Nissan Leaf. These chargers are slowly being phased out in favour of CCS, but most motorway services still have them.

Tethered vs. Untethered: The Big Home Charger Decision

This is the main practical choice you’ll have to make when buying your home charger. Do you want the cable permanently attached or not?

Tethered Chargers (Cable Attached)

• What it is: The charging cable is permanently attached to the charger unit.
• Pros: Ultimate convenience. You just park, pick up the plug, and plug in. There’s no faffing with getting a cable out of the boot every time.
• Cons: The cable hangs on the wall, which some people find less tidy. You’re also fixed to one cable length (usually 5m or 7.5m).

Untethered Chargers (Socket Only)

• What it is: The charger unit just has a Type 2 socket, like a plug socket on the wall. You use the separate cable that came with your car.
• Pros: Looks very neat and tidy on the wall. It’s more flexible – you can use a longer or shorter cable if you need to, or even use a Type 1-to-Type 2 cable if you have an older car.
• Cons: You have to get your charging cable out of the boot every time you want to charge (and put it away again in the morning). This can be a pain, especially in the rain.

An Engineer’s View

“For most homeowners, we recommend a 7kW tethered charger. The convenience of just grabbing the cable and plugging straight in makes it feel effortless. It means you’re more likely to plug in every time you get home, keeping your car topped up and ready to go. Just double-check your car’s charging port location and get a cable that reaches comfortably.”

– Matthew Powell, WarmZilla EV Engineer

How Do I Know What My Car Can Handle?

One last thing to remember: your car itself has a maximum charging speed it can accept.

• Max AC Speed: Most EVs can accept 7kW or 11kW of AC power. Even if you plug into a 22kW public charger, if your car’s on-board charger is limited to 7kW, it will only charge at 7kW. This is why a 7kW home charger is the perfect, most cost-effective solution for almost everyone.
• Max DC Speed: This is the “Rapid” charging speed (e.g., 100kW, 175kW, 250kW). This number is only relevant for public Rapid DC chargers, not your home charger. You can find this in your car’s handbook.

For more great advice on electric vehicles and home energy, check out the Energy Saving Trust.

So, What EV Charger Type Do You Need?

Hopefully, that clears things up! For 99% of UK homeowners, the ‘type’ of charger you need is a 7kW Fast Charger.

Your main choice is simply whether you want the convenience of a Tethered cable or the neat look of an Untethered socket. And you can rest easy knowing that the Type 2 connector is the standard for all home charging.

Ready to get smart, simple charging at home? WarmZilla installs top-brand 7kW EV chargers across the UK. Get your fixed-price, instant quote online in minutes.