Type 1 vs Type 2 Untethered EVEC Sockets: How to Choose

Start with your car, not the socket label

Choosing between Type 1 and Type 2 starts with the charging inlet on your vehicle. The socket on the charge point and the cable have to work together with that inlet. A label on a charger alone does not tell you whether it will suit your car.

Before arranging an EVEC Installation, check the vehicle handbook or ask the manufacturer which connector your car uses for AC charging, the type usually used for home charging. If you can safely view the inlet, compare its shape with the connector information in the handbook. Do not rely on the registration year or the model name alone: vehicles of similar age can differ, particularly where an imported model is involved.

What the two types mean in practice

Type 1 is associated with some older vehicles and imports. Type 2 is the connector standard used by most modern European electric cars. That is a useful starting point, but your own vehicle’s inlet is the important detail when selecting a socket.

With an untethered charge point, the charging cable is separate from the unit. You plug the cable into the charge point and the car, then store it when charging is finished. That gives you the option to carry your cable with you and replace it separately if your needs change. It also means you need to confirm the cable is compatible with both ends of your setup. An untethered socket is not useful simply because its type sounds familiar: the vehicle end and charge point end must both match the cable you use.

Check these details before deciding

Identify the car’s AC charging inlet

Use the vehicle handbook or manufacturer information to establish whether the inlet is Type 1 or Type 2. If you have more than one electric vehicle at home, check each one rather than assuming they share a connector. If you are unsure, take a clear photo of the inlet and consult the vehicle supplier or a qualified installer before choosing.

Check the cable you already own

Look at the connector on each end of your charging cable and check its specification. A cable that fits your car may not be suitable for a particular untethered charge point. If you do not own a cable yet, choose the charge point and cable as a compatible pair, rather than buying one first and hoping it fits the other.

Think about who will use the charger

If visitors or another household vehicle may use the charge point, list their connector types too. Your own car may be the only one that needs charging today, but the socket choice affects which cables can be used at the unit. Be clear about which vehicles you want the installation to serve, and ask us to check that combination before settling on a type.

Avoid assumptions about adapters and future cars

An adapter should not be treated as a universal fix for a mismatch. Compatibility depends on the vehicle, the cable and the charging equipment, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before relying on one. If you are changing vehicles, confirm the new car’s AC charging connection and the cable requirements before assuming your existing arrangement will carry over.

It is also worth separating connector type from charging speed. Type 1 or Type 2 describes the connection, not by itself what charging rate your vehicle will accept. The vehicle, charge point and electrical installation all affect how charging works. Choosing a socket based only on a claimed speed can leave the central compatibility question unanswered.

Make the decision with the full setup in view

For a single vehicle, identify its inlet and match the charge point and cable to it. For multiple vehicles, compare all the connectors and decide which ones the home charger needs to serve. If the car is imported or the connector information is unclear, pause before ordering equipment and get the details checked.

We install EVEC chargers in Newcastle Under Lyme, and we can help you work through the connector information for your vehicle and intended cable. Bring the vehicle details and any cable specifications to the conversation. That gives us a sound basis for discussing the right Type 1 or Type 2 option for your installation.