The Type 2 or Mennekes connector for electric vehicle charging

Type 2 or Mennekes (IEC 62196-2)

It is commonly known as Mennekes, which is the name of the first brand that commercialized it. It is approved as a European standard.

As the electric car becomes more widespread, many brands are adapting to use it in European territory. However, a valid solution is to use a cable with two connectors. Thus, at one end, the appropriate connector is placed on the car's recharging socket and at the other end, the European connector.

It is an AC charger used in a variety of EV models, such as BMW i3, i8, BYD E6, Tesla Model S, Renault Zoe, plug-in hybrid Volvo V60, VW E-up, Audi A3 E-tron, plug-in Mercedes S500, hybrid Plug-in VW Golf, Porsche Panamera and Renault Kangoo ZE.

Type 2 connectors allow single-phase charging up to 16 A and three-phase charging up to 63 A, which translates to a power output of 3.5 kW and 44kW, respectively.

Its pin distribution is similar to Type 1, but in this case, two more pins are included, which correspond to the two additional phases necessary for three-phase charging.

 

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If you are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle and you live in Europe, this is the connector that you will most likely be using.

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Other types of connector to recharge the electric car

• Schuko
  It is the usual plug you have at home or in the office. In addition to being in the vast majority of domestic applications, it is very common to find it on motorcycles and electric bicycles. It is also used in some electric cars, such as the Twizy.
• Type 1 (SAE J1772)
  

  This is the Japanese standard for electric vehicle charging in alternating current (also adopted by countries in North America and accepted by the EU). It is in models such as Opel Ampera, Nissan ENV200, Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi iMiev, Mitsubishi Outlander or Peugeot iON.

• Type 3
  It was created in 2010, but it has lost the battle against the Type 2 model, and is currently in disuse.
• CHʌdeMO
  

  It was developed by a Japanese association and is designed for rapid DC loads that can supply up to 50 kW of power with a current that can reach 125 A.

• Combo 2 connector (IEC-62196-3)
  

  It offers the possibility of charging in modes 2, 3 and 4 through a single output. Vehicles from manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen incorporate it.