If you’re buying an EV in India today, you’ll deal with two main connectors. Type 2 handles AC charging at home and at most public AC points, while CCS2 is the standard plug for DC fast charging on cars. Older Bharat AC-001, Bharat DC-001, and GB/T connectors still exist, but they’re fading out fast.
Key takeaways
- Type 2 is the common AC charging connector for new EV cars in India, supporting roughly 7 to 22 kW.
- CCS2 is the dominant DC fast-charging standard for cars in India, covering speeds from about 25 kW up to 350 kW.
- Bharat AC-001 is an older, slower AC standard rated around 3.3 kW and is mostly found on early or budget EVs.
- Bharat DC-001 and GB/T are legacy DC connectors, with GB/T still seen on some two-wheelers and older vehicles.
- CHAdeMO, common in Japan, is rare in India and you’ll seldom find a charger for it here.
- Most new Indian EV cars combine a Type 2 inlet for AC with a CCS2 inlet for DC, so one car can use both.
What charging connectors does India use?
India uses a mix of connectors, but new EV cars have settled on Type 2 for AC and CCS2 for DC. According to MMCM , the country adopted these European-origin standards as the primary route for passenger cars, while older Bharat standards and GB/T linger on legacy and lower-power vehicles. So when you look at a charging station today, the two ports you’ll see most often are Type 2 and CCS2.
What is the Type 2 connector and why does it matter?
Type 2 is the standard AC charging connector for new EVs in India, and it matters because it covers almost all of your routine charging. It handles roughly 7 to 22 kW, which suits home wallboxes and public AC points where you park for a while. Most home and destination charging happens through Type 2, so it’s the plug you’ll use most days. If you want to understand how this differs from rapid charging, see our guide on DC fast charging vs AC charging in India .
What is CCS2 and why is it the DC fast-charging standard?
CCS2 is the dominant DC fast-charging connector for cars in India, and it’s what you’ll plug into on a road trip. It stacks two extra DC pins below a Type 2 layout, which lets one car inlet accept both AC and DC. CCS2 chargers in India range from about 25 kW up to 350 kW depending on the site and the car. If you’re shopping with rapid charging in mind, our list of the best electric cars with fast charging in India 2026 is a good place to start.
What are the Bharat standards and GB/T?
The Bharat standards were India’s early homegrown connectors, now mostly replaced on new cars. Bharat AC-001 is a slow AC connector rated around 3.3 kW, useful for overnight top-ups on early EVs. Bharat DC-001 and the Chinese-origin GB/T are older DC connectors that you’ll still spot on some legacy vehicles and two-wheelers. New car launches have largely moved past these in favour of Type 2 and CCS2.
Does charging speed depend on the connector?
Yes, the connector sets the ceiling for how fast your EV can charge. A Bharat AC-001 plug caps you near 3.3 kW, Type 2 lifts that to as much as 22 kW on AC, and CCS2 unlocks DC speeds from 25 kW upward. The actual rate also depends on your car’s onboard charger, the battery, and the station’s output. Higher-voltage cars take this further, which we cover in our explainer on 800V EV architecture in India .
Connector comparison table
| Connector | Current type | Typical power | Where you’ll find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bharat AC-001 | AC | ~3.3 kW | Older/budget EVs, slow AC points |
| Type 2 | AC | ~7 to 22 kW | New cars, home and public AC charging |
| CCS2 | DC | ~25 to 350 kW | New cars, DC fast-charging stations |
| Bharat DC-001 | DC | Legacy DC | Older vehicles |
| GB/T | DC | Legacy DC | Some two-wheelers, older vehicles |
| CHAdeMO | DC | Varies | Rare in India |
Frequently asked questions
Which connector does my new EV car use in India?
Most new EV cars sold in India use a Type 2 inlet for AC charging and a CCS2 inlet for DC fast charging. The two are often combined in a single port, since CCS2 adds DC pins below the Type 2 shape. Always check your owner’s manual, but for recent launches this pairing is the norm.
Can I use a CCS2 charger on any electric car?
Only if your car has a CCS2 inlet, which most new Indian EV cars do. Older vehicles using GB/T or Bharat DC-001 can’t plug into a CCS2 station without an adapter, and adapters aren’t always available or supported. Check your car’s DC inlet type before relying on a particular fast charger.
Is CHAdeMO available in India?
CHAdeMO is rare in India. It’s a Japanese DC fast-charging standard, but very few public stations here support it and almost no current Indian EV cars ship with a CHAdeMO inlet. If you’re buying in India, you’ll plan around CCS2 for DC charging instead.
What’s the difference between Type 2 and CCS2?
Type 2 is an AC-only connector for slower home and public charging, while CCS2 builds on the Type 2 shape and adds two DC pins for fast charging. A CCS2 inlet can accept both AC and DC, which is why new cars use the combined design. Type 2 alone tops out around 22 kW, whereas CCS2 goes much higher.
Sources
Last updated: 23 June 2026.
