The Type 2 connector is the standard AC charging plug on virtually every new EV sold in Australia. It's a seven-pin design governed by the IEC 62196-2 standard, so the same plug fits across brands and models. On single-phase home power it delivers up to 7.4kW; on three-phase, up to 22kW. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source
The same 7-pin socket forms the upper half of the CCS2 fast-charge plug you see at public stations. At home you charge through the Type 2 section regardless of whether your car has a CCS2 inlet or a standalone Type 2 inlet. Either way, it is the same plug. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source
Seven pins, one connector: how Type 2 works
Those seven pins are what make Type 2 so versatile. Five carry power: three phase pins (L1, L2, L3), one neutral (N), and one protective earth (PE). The remaining two handle communication, with the Control Pilot (CP) and Proximity Pilot (PP) using the J1772 protocol to negotiate and manage each charge session. RACVView source
On a standard Australian single-phase supply you use L1, N, PE, CP, and PP. Three-phase adds L2 and L3. The connector looks identical either way. That is why one cable and one wallbox socket work across all Australian homes regardless of supply type.
The maths is simple. At 32A single-phase: 240V x 32A = 7.4kW. On three-phase at 32A per phase: 3 x 240V x 32A = roughly 22kW. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source For more on when three-phase is worth upgrading to, see the Level 1 vs Level 2 EV charging guide. Smart wallboxes can also schedule charging via OCPP-enabled firmware.
Type 2 vs Type 1 (J1772): why Australia chose the 7-pin standard
Type 1, or J1772, is the AC connector used in North America and on some older Japanese EVs. Five pins. Single-phase only. Maximum around 7.2kW. Type 2 adds two phase pins (L2 and L3) that unlock three-phase charging, lifting the ceiling to 22kW for homes with three-phase supply. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source
Australia adopted Type 2 alongside New Zealand and Europe. Since around 2020, virtually all new EVs sold here carry a Type 2 inlet for AC charging. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source If you are buying a home wallbox today, Type 1 does not come into the picture. The only question is which Type 2 wallbox suits your supply and your car's onboard charger.
CCS2 is Type 2 with DC pins added
CCS2 (also called Combo 2) is not a separate connector. It is Type 2 extended with two large DC pins below the standard 7-pin socket. Two sections. The upper 7-pin section is a regular Type 2 socket for AC charging. The lower section adds a direct-current path for public fast charging. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source
Most new EVs sold in Australia have a CCS2 inlet. At home, plug in a Type 2 cable using the upper section. At a public DC fast-charge station, the CCS2 cable engages both. The takeaway: for home charging you are always dealing with Type 2, full stop, regardless of your car's DC fast-charging capability. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source
Tethered or socketed? What Type 2 means for your wallbox choice
Home wallboxes come in two forms. Tethered: a Type 2 cable is built in. Walk out, plug into the car, and go. Socketed (untethered): the unit has a Type 2 socket. You supply your own cable and keep it in the car. RACVView source Electric Vehicle CouncilView source
Going socketed? The EV charging cable guide covers which rating and length to buy. Some wallboxes also support smart charging via OCPP-enabled firmware, so you can schedule around off-peak tariffs or feed solar power into the battery. One thing applies to both options: installation requires a licensed electrician under AS/NZS 3000:2018 wiring rules.
Type 2 EV charger: common questions
A Type 2 connector is a 7-pin AC charging plug defined by IEC 62196-2, and it's the standard home EV charging connector across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Its seven pins cover three-phase power, neutral, earth, and two signalling wires (Control Pilot and Proximity Pilot). At home it delivers 7.4kW on single-phase or up to 22kW on three-phase supply.
A Type 2 EV cable connects your car to a socketed (untethered) Type 2 wallbox or a public AC charging point. Both ends have the same 7-pin Type 2 plug. They come in 32A single-phase (7.4kW) or 32A three-phase (22kW) ratings.
Not exactly. CCS2 (Combo 2) is Type 2 with two large DC pins added below the 7-pin socket. Same upper section; extra lower section. The Type 2 section handles AC home charging. The DC pins enable public fast charging at high-power stations. At home you only ever use the upper section, so a CCS2 inlet and a standalone Type 2 inlet behave identically for home charging.
Type 1 (J1772) is a 5-pin connector, single-phase only, used in North America and on some older Japanese EVs. Type 2 has 7 pins. It supports both single-phase and three-phase AC, which gives it a higher power ceiling. Australia adopted Type 2 as its standard. Buy a new EV in Australia today and it almost certainly has a Type 2 inlet.
Only if your wallbox is socketed (untethered). Socketed means a Type 2 socket on the unit, no cable included. You buy a separate Type 2-to-Type 2 cable. Tethered wallboxes have the cable built in. Just plug in. See the EV charging cable guide for help choosing the right length and current rating.
Ready to get a Type 2 wallbox installed?
Connect with licensed EV charger installers near you. Tell us about your home and your car, and SureQuote matches you with qualified electricians who can fit the right wallbox.
Sources
General information only. For advice specific to your home and vehicle, consult a licensed electrician.
- RACVView source
- Electric Vehicle CouncilView source