Type 1 vs Type 2: Which Charger Do You Need?

Type 1 is a 5-pin connector originally designed for early EVs, primarily Japanese and American models (early Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV). It supports up to 7.4kW charging.

Type 2 is a 7-pin connector that has become the universal standard across Europe and the UK. Every new EV sold in the UK since 2018 uses Type 2. It supports up to 22kW on three-phase supply, or 7.4kW on the single-phase supply found in virtually all UK homes.

Bottom line: If you're buying a new EV in 2026, you need a Type 2 charger. If you have an older Nissan Leaf (pre-2018) or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, you need Type 1 — but these cars are increasingly rare.

Tethered: The charging cable is permanently attached to the charger unit. You grab the end, plug it into your car, and that's it. No cables to carry, no connectors to store. The cable retracts or hooks onto the unit when not in use.

Untethered: The charger has a socket, and you provide your own cable (the one that came with your car). More flexible if you have multiple EVs with different connectors, but less convenient day-to-day.

For most new build buyers: Go tethered. The convenience of grabbing a cable that's always ready and always the right length is worth it. The cable that comes with your car becomes the spare you keep in the boot for public charging.

7kW (single-phase): This is what 99% of UK homes have. A single-phase electrical supply supports a maximum of 7.4kW charging. This adds roughly 25-30 miles of range per hour of charging. For most people, this means a full charge overnight (plug in at 10pm, fully charged by 7am).

22kW (three-phase): Requires a three-phase electrical supply, which very few UK homes have. Some new builds in commercial or mixed-use developments might have it, but it's rare for residential. Even if you do have three-phase, your car needs to support 22kW AC charging (not all do).

What most new build buyers should get: A 7.4kW single-phase charger. It's more than enough for daily driving. If you commute 30 miles each way, that's 60 miles per day — fully replenished in about 2 hours of charging. Most people charge overnight and never think about it.

For a new build in 2026: Type 2, tethered, 7.4kW. This covers every new EV on the UK market, gives you overnight charging convenience, and works perfectly with your single-phase home supply. Keep it simple.

If you're future-proofing: some chargers (like the Easee One) can be software-upgraded from 7kW to 22kW later if your supply is upgraded. A nice option if you're planning ahead, but not essential for most buyers.