Cables and Plugs

What the petrol pump is to classic cars, the charge point — cable and all — is to an EV. Here’s a quick tour of the plugs and leads you’ll meet, and how to use them without faff.

Two plug types

Across Europe, the two that matter are the Type 2 plug and the slightly larger Type 2 Combo (CCS). Type 2 is for slower AC charging; the Combo version is what you use for rapid DC.

They look much alike. The Combo has a chunkier handle and two extra pins — that’s the quick way to spot it.

Slow charging with a Type 2 plug

The smaller Type 2 is what you’ll use at home chargers and many on‑street posts, typically up to 22 kW AC. Public charge points rarely have a Type 2 lead tethered, so carrying your own Type 2‑to‑Type 2 cable is very much standard kit.

Rapid charging with the Type 2 Combo plug (CCS)

CCS leads are always tethered at rapid chargers. With all that current, the cables are often liquid‑cooled and a bit of a lump, hence the extra handle to help you line it up and click it home.

A tip for wrangling a heavy plug

When you connect a heavy CCS plug, push it firmly home and keep hold until your car actually starts charging. Some chargers won’t kick off if the cable’s weight pulls the plug down and interrupts the handshake between car and charger.

Adapters for Schuko sockets

Alongside Type 2 cables you’ll also come across adapters for Schuko (continental household) sockets. Handy if you need to charge from a regular domestic outlet or the only available point happens to be a Schuko socket. These usually top out around 3.7 kW, so it’s not quick. That said, some hotels offer free Schuko charging, so an adapter can occasionally earn its keep.

Expect to pay around €150–€300 depending on features.

Do bear in mind that most household sockets aren’t designed for EV charging; under sustained load they can get hot enough to start a fire. More on this risk in:

Why charging an EV from an ordinary socket can be life‑threatening

Less common, but a safe bet when you find them, are industrial CEE sockets (often called commando sockets). You’ll spot them by their blue, red or yellow housings. With the right kit they can deliver anything from about 3.7 kW up to 43 kW — on a par with a typical wallbox. Some hotels still have them, so it’s worth asking ahead which type they use and bringing the right adapter.

Adapters for CEE sockets typically cost around €150–€300, depending on spec.