Type 2 (Mennekes)
EV Charging · 7 specs
Direct Answer
The IEC 62196 Type 2 Connector (originally developed by Mennekes and mandated by the European Union under Directive 2014/94/EU) is the universal AC charging standard across Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Featuring a 7-pin circular housing, it supports both single-phase (up to 7.4 kW) and 3-phase AC charging (up to 400V / 63A / 43.5 kW).
Source: IEC 62196-2:2016 / EU Directive 2014/94/EU (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure) · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Standardization | IEC 62196-2 (Type 2) / VDE-AR-E 2623-2-2 (Mennekes) |
| Pin Count & Configuration | 7 pins: Line 1 (L1), Line 2 (L2), Line 3 (L3), Neutral (N), Protective Earth (PE), Control Pilot (CP), Proximity Pilot (PP) |
| AC Phase Support | Single-phase (230V) and Three-phase AC (400V) |
| Maximum Current & Power | Single-phase: 32A @ 230V (7.4 kW) | 3-phase: 16A @ 400V (11 kW), 32A (22 kW), up to 63A (43.5 kW AC) |
| Vehicle-Side Locking | Internal motorized solenoid pin inside car socket locks the plug securely during charging (anti-theft and safety lock) |
| Untethered Public Charging | European public AC chargers feature universal Type 2 female sockets; drivers carry their own Mode 3 Type 2 cable |
| Mandatory Regional Territory | European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India (for Type 2 AC) |
The European 3-Phase Advantage
Because residential and commercial electrical infrastructure in Europe standardizes on 400V 3-phase alternating current, the Type 2 plug integrates three active line conductors (L1, L2, L3). This allows standard European home and public AC chargers to deliver 11 kW or 22 kW AC, charging a vehicle up to three times faster than North American single-phase residential circuits (7.4 kW).