Owning an electric vehicle changes how you think about refuelling. Instead of a quick stop at the pump, charging becomes something that fits around your home, your routine and where you parked your car.
That’s why the type of EV charger you choose really matters. Specifically, charging speeds, plug types and cable setup can all affect how easy charging your EV will be. Knowing this, we’ve set out all your options so you can help make sense of what’s available to you.
What types of electric car chargers are there?
EV chargers are usually grouped by how much power they deliver, measured in kilowatts (kW). This is the rate of energy going into the car. The total energy used or stored is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), which is how you typically see a battery’s capacity.
At home, most people use lower output chargers, while higher-output options are usually found in public charging locations.
Slow chargers: Usually fall within the 3kW to 7kW range and are the most common choice for UK homes. They’re ideal for overnight charging, giving you a full battery by morning without putting too much strain on your home’s electrical system.
Fast chargers: Range from 7kW to 22kW and are often found in workplaces, supermarkets and public car parks. They’re useful for topping up while you’re out.
Rapid chargers: Typically 50kW to 100kW and designed for quick stops, such as motorway services. Ultra rapid chargers go even further, reaching up to 30kW. These are currently the fastest option available.
Does rapid charging work for all EVs?
Every EV has a maximum charging rate, which limits how quickly it can accept power. Even if you plug into a high-powered charger, your car will only draw what it’s designed to handle. For some models, that means charging speeds may level off well below the charger’s maximum output.
Battery size and condition also play a big role. Charging tends to slow down as the battery fills up to help protect long-term performance – usually when it reaches 80%. So while rapid charging is useful on longer journeys, most drivers will find charging at home a more consistent and convenient option.
What are the different charger connection types?
Alongside charging speed, connection type is another key part of how EV charging works. This determines how your car physically connects to the charger. And not all plugs are the same.
UK three-pin plug
You can use a standard UK three-pin plug to charge an electric vehicle, usually using a cable supplied with the car. It’s often referred to as a granny charger because it’s a backup option, often used when visiting relatives. While it’s really convenient in emergencies, it’s not designed for regular use. Charging is very slow, with a maximum power output of 3kW, and it can take well over 24 hours to fully charge a vehicle. This will also only give you about five miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. It’s best seen as a backup option rather than a long-term solution.
Type 1 plug
Type 1 connectors are typically found on older electric vehicles. They use a single-phase connection and are less common in the UK today. If your car uses a Type 1 plug, you may need a specific cable or adapter depending on the charger you install.
They usually deliver around 3-7kW of power, which works out at roughly 12 miles of range for every 30 minutes of charging. One key difference is that Type 1 plugs don’t include a locking mechanism once the car is connected to the power supply.
Type 2 plug
Type 2 is now the standard connector for most electric vehicles in the UK and across Europe. It supports both single-phase and three-phase charging, making it suitable for home and public charging – and it’s compatible with most modern EV wall chargers. This is also the standard that most of our Hive EV chargers are built around.
These connectors typically deliver between 30-40kW of power, which can add around 75 miles of range in roughly 30 minutes depending on the vehicle.
Type 2 has become the most widely used standard because it works across different charging speeds, from home setups through to faster public charging. So, if you’re installing a new home charger, it’ll almost certainly be designed around Type 2 compatibility.
CHAdeMO plug
CHAdeMO is a rapid charging connector used mainly by some older or specific EV models. These plugs offer a power output of around 50kW, which is about 85 miles per 30 minutes of charge.
It’s designed for high-speed DC charging and is typically found at public rapid charging stations rather than in home setups. While still in use, it’s gradually becoming less common as newer standards take over.
Combined Charging System (CCS) plug
The Combined Charging System, or CCS, is now the most widely used rapid charging connector in the UK, enabling a high-power output of 50-300kW. It builds on the Type 2 design by adding extra pins for faster DC charging, so you can use rapid and ultra-rapid charging points, particularly on motorways and major routes. You can expect about 85 miles of range per 30 minutes of charge with one of these plugs.
What are tethered and untethered EV chargers?
Tethered and untethered chargers refer to whether the charging cable is attached to the unit. A tethered EV charger comes with a built-in cable. It’s always ready to use, which makes charging quick and straightforward – especially if you charge frequently. Many drivers find this the most convenient option for everyday use. It’s also the most popular setup for our Hive EV charger installations.
An untethered EV charger doesn’t include a fixed cable. Instead, you plug in your own cable when needed. This gives you more flexibility, particularly if you change vehicles in the future. And keeps the unit looking neater when not in use. Both options work well – it just depends on whether you prioritise convenience or flexibility.
What types of EV charging cables come with an electric car?
Most electric vehicles come with at least one charging cable, but the type can vary depending on the manufacturer. Typically, you’ll receive a cable for standard home charging using a three-pin plug. Some vehicles also include a Type 2 cable for use with public charge points or untethered home chargers. However, not all cars come with every cable you might need, so it’s worth checking what’s included when you buy.
If you install a tethered home charger, the cable is already built in. If you choose an untethered option, you’ll rely on your own cable for daily charging.
Which EV charger type is best for most UK homes?
For most UK homes, a 7kW Type 2 wall-mounted charger is the best fit. It offers a good balance of speed, practicality and compatibility with the majority of electric vehicles on the road today.
This type of charger is designed for overnight home charging, meaning you can plug in when you get home and wake up to a full battery. It works well for typical daily driving patterns in the UK and avoids the need for more complex or higher-powered setups in most cases.
How to future-proof your EV charger choice
Most UK homes are best suited to a Type 2, 7kW smart wall charger – which is also the most future-proof option for most drivers. Type 2 is now the standard across new EVs in the UK and Europe, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to change connectors later.
Our home chargers are built around this standard too. So they’ll be compatible now and into the future.
Smart chargers also add future-proofing by allowing you to schedule charging, optimise energy use, and adapt to changing tariffs and grid demands over time. If you get your charger through us, you’ll be able to do it in the Hive app – meaning you can control all your smart home tech in one place.
Install a home EV charger with Hive
At Hive, we make it easier to bring EV charging into your home in a way that actually works for you. From the initial home assessment through to installation and setup, everything is designed to be straightforward and tailored to your space. You plug in when you get home. And by the morning, you’re ready to go.
Better yet, switch on Power+ mode and we’ll automatically charge your car when electricity’s at its cheapest and greenest. So you’ll save more on every drive. Just tell us when you need it ready by and we’ll handle the rest.