What Is a CCS Charger or Cable?

CCS (Combined Charging System) is one of the most common fast charging standards for electric vehicles in the UK and Europe. A CCS Type 2 (CCS Combo 2) connector combines a Type 2 AC connection with two additional DC charging pins (below), allowing compatible vehicles to use rapid DC charging.

CCS charging is primarily found at rapid and ultra-rapid public charging stations, such as at motorway service stations and other public charging hubs. Depending on the vehicle and charging point, CCS rapid chargers can provide significantly higher charging speeds than standard AC charging.

However, there is an important point to remember: a CCS socket also includes the Type 2 AC connection at the top of the inlet. This means that when you're charging at home or using a portable charger, you can use a compatible Type 2 charger or cable with the AC section of the CCS inlet. 

A CCS cable is designed to connect a CCS equipped electric vehicle to a compatible DC rapid charging station. The CCS connector uses additional DC pins to deliver direct current to the vehicle’s battery, enabling much faster charging.

So, while a CCS cable is designed for DC rapid charging, a compatible Type 2 charging cable or portable charger can connect to the Type 2 AC section of your CCS inlet for convenient charging.