EV Charging Connector Types in Poland: Type 2, CCS, and CHAdeMO
Three connector standards account for the overwhelming majority of EV charging hardware currently installed at public and private charging points in Poland. Understanding which format a vehicle uses — and at which power level — determines what kind of charging point is compatible.
Type 2 (Mennekes) — AC Charging Standard
Type 2, formally standardised as IEC 62196-2, is the primary AC connector used across European Union member states, including Poland. It is the connector format mandated by EU regulations for new public AC charging infrastructure.
The connector accommodates both single-phase (up to 7.4 kW at 230 V / 32 A) and three-phase (up to 22 kW at 400 V / 32 A) alternating current. In residential installations with a single-phase supply, a 7.4 kW wallbox is the practical upper limit. Three-phase supply — common in newer Polish apartment buildings and houses — enables 11 kW or 22 kW charging where the vehicle's onboard charger supports it.
Most contemporary electric vehicles sold in Europe — including models from Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Hyundai, Kia, and others — include a Type 2 inlet as their AC charging socket.
CCS Combo 2 — DC Fast Charging
Combined Charging System (CCS) Combo 2 extends the Type 2 socket with two additional DC power pins below the standard AC contact block. This allows a single inlet to support both AC (Mode 3) and DC fast charging from a single socket on the vehicle.
CCS Combo 2 is the DC fast-charging standard adopted across most European EV manufacturers. Power delivery ranges from around 50 kW at older DC fast chargers to 150–350 kW at the latest high-power charging (HPC) units. At stations delivering 150 kW or above, a vehicle's maximum DC acceptance rate becomes the limiting factor rather than the charger itself.
The EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which entered into force in 2023, mandates CCS Combo 2 compatibility at all new public DC charging points along the TEN-T road network. Several Polish motorway stations have been upgraded or newly deployed with CCS HPC equipment as a result.
CCS vs. Type 2: When Each Is Used
| Aspect | Type 2 (AC) | CCS Combo 2 (DC) |
|---|---|---|
| Current type | Alternating current | Direct current |
| Typical power range | 3.7 – 22 kW | 50 – 350 kW |
| Where onboard charger sits | In the vehicle (limits AC intake) | At the station (bypasses onboard charger) |
| Typical session duration (50 kWh battery) | 2.5 – 13 hours (7.4–22 kW) | 15 – 60 min (50–150 kW) |
| Location in Poland | Home, workplace, urban AC posts | Motorway stations, urban fast-charge hubs |
CHAdeMO — DC Fast Charging (Japanese Standard)
CHAdeMO is a DC fast-charging protocol developed by a Japanese consortium in the early 2010s. It was the first widely deployed DC fast-charging standard in Europe and remains in use at charging points where it was installed before CCS became the EU default.
CHAdeMO requires a dedicated inlet that is physically separate from the AC Type 2 socket. Vehicles supporting CHAdeMO — historically models from Nissan, Mitsubishi, and earlier Kia and Hyundai releases — carry two inlet sockets: one for AC (Type 2) and one for DC (CHAdeMO).
Most newer electric vehicles released for the European market from 2020 onward use CCS Combo 2 rather than CHAdeMO. Nissan's Ariya and later Leaf variants shifted to CCS. As a result, CHAdeMO installation at new charging points has declined significantly in Poland, though existing hardware remains in operation.
Adapter Use Between Connector Types
Adapters between AC connector types are sometimes used — for example, a Type 1 (J1772) to Type 2 adapter for older vehicles with a J1772 inlet. However, DC adapters for CCS and CHAdeMO are not generally interchangeable without specific hardware, and no standard DC cross-format adapter for consumer use exists in the EU market.
Regulatory Context in Poland
Poland transposed Directive 2014/94/EU on alternative fuels infrastructure into national law and is implementing the updated AFIR requirements. National plans outline targets for the number and geographic distribution of public charging points. The role of PSPA (Polskie Stowarzyszenie Paliw Alternatywnych) in tracking deployment and advising on standards is publicly documented.