Type 2 vs CCS2 vs GB/T: EV charging connector guide for India (2026)

Updated on 1 November 2026.

EV connectors look confusing at first. Type 2, CCS2, GB/T, Bharat DC-001, CHAdeMO, Type 6, Type 7... it sounds like a lot to learn. The good news is that for electric cars in India, it really comes down to two: Type 2 for AC charging and CCS2 for DC fast charging, and both go into the same port on the car. The rest are either for two-wheelers and three-wheelers, or older standards you'll only see at a few early charging points.

Here's what each one is, which vehicles use it, and what it means if you're buying a home charger or setting up a charging station.

Quick summary

• Cars: Type 2 for AC and CCS2 for DC. CCS2 is a Type 2 socket with two extra DC pins below, so one port takes both.
• Indian standards: Type 2 is covered by IS 17017-2-2 and CCS2 by IS 17017-2-3.
• Two-wheelers and three-wheelers: smaller light-EV connectors, mainly LEVDC (Type 6) and LECCS (Type 7). There's no single plug for them yet.
• Older standards: Bharat AC-001, Bharat DC-001 (which used the GB/T connector) and CHAdeMO are no longer in India's 2024 charging standards. You'll only find them at some older sites.
• Adaptors: not allowed at charging stations under the CEA's safety regulations.

Type 2: the AC connector for cars

Type 2 is the round connector with a flat top that comes with every home charger in India. It has seven pins and can carry single-phase or three-phase AC. Depending on the charger and the car, AC charging through Type 2 runs from about 3 kW up to 22 kW. The car's own onboard charger decides the upper limit, so a 22 kW charger won't charge a car faster than its onboard charger allows.

Every electric car sold in India today accepts Type 2. If you're choosing a home charger, the connector is never the problem. The power rating and your home's supply are what matter. Read 7 kW vs 11 kW vs 22 kW for that.

CCS2: the DC fast charging connector

CCS2 (Combined Charging System 2) is what you'll see on public DC fast chargers: the bigger, heavier gun with a thick cable. The clever part is the design. It's a Type 2 connector on top with two large DC pins underneath. So the CCS2 port on a car takes a Type 2 plug for AC at home, and the full CCS2 gun for DC on the road.

The Indian standard for it, IS 17017-2-3, covers DC up to 1,500 V and 250 A. India's charging rules list CCS2 for cars and buses from 50 to 250 kW, and for buses and trucks from 250 to 500 kW. In practice, how fast a car charges on CCS2 depends on the car's own limit, not just the charger. Our live table of what each car takes from a DC charger shows every model.

One thing to watch: a few small electric cars don't support DC fast charging at all. Check the car's spec sheet before planning a road trip around fast chargers.

GB/T and Bharat DC-001: the early DC standard

When India first set charging standards in 2017, it defined Bharat DC-001 for low-voltage DC charging at 10 to 15 kW, using the Chinese GB/T connector. It was meant for some early 72-volt electric cars, mostly in fleets. GB/T and CCS2 are completely different shapes and can't be swapped.

Bharat DC-001 is no longer in the standards table of the Ministry of Power's 2024 guidelines. You may still find an old GB/T charger at some early sites, but it won't fit a modern car.

Bharat AC-001

Bharat AC-001 was the slow AC standard from the same 2017 rules: three industrial-style 15 A sockets giving 3.3 kW each, aimed at small vehicles. Like DC-001, it's been dropped from the current standards table.

CHAdeMO

CHAdeMO is a Japanese DC standard. It appeared in India's charging rules in 2018 and 2019 but isn't in the current tables, and no car on sale in India today uses it. You can safely ignore it.

Two-wheelers and three-wheelers: Type 6 and Type 7

Electric scooters, bikes and autos use smaller connectors built for light EVs. India has two main standards:

• LEVDC, often called Type 6 (IS 17017-2-6): a DC-only connector for light EVs, up to 120 V and 100 A.
• LECCS, often called Type 7 (IS 17017-2-7): a combined AC and DC connector for light EVs, up to 240 V AC at 32 A and 120 V DC at 100 A.

The rules allow DC charging up to 12 kW for two-wheelers and three-wheelers on either of these. Several scooter makers have moved to LECCS, while LEVDC is common on some motorcycles and many three-wheelers. Plenty of two-wheelers and three-wheelers still charge only on AC or swap batteries. There's no single plug for every model yet, so check before you buy a charger for them.

Trucks and buses: CCS2 now, megawatt charging later

Electric buses and trucks in India charge on CCS2, at up to 500 kW under the current rules. Globally, a new Megawatt Charging System connector was published in February 2026 for heavy trucks, but India doesn't have a standard for it yet. If you're planning a depot, read our guide to charging electric buses and trucks.

Can you use an adaptor?

Not at a charging station. The Central Electricity Authority's 2023 safety regulations say there should be no adaptors and no extension leads between the charger and the car, and that the car should be within 5 metres of the charger. Adaptors are a safety risk at high power, and they're the wrong fix anyway. If a charger doesn't have the right connector for a vehicle, it isn't the right charger for that vehicle.

What this means for you

If you're buying a home charger: you need Type 2. Every AC home charger in India uses it and every electric car accepts it. Pick the power to match your car and your supply. Browse our home chargers.

If you're setting up a charging station for cars: CCS2 guns are what you need. There's no reason to install GB/T or CHAdeMO today. Read DC fast chargers explained to choose the power and the number of guns.

If you want to charge scooters or autos too: plan separate light-EV chargers, and check which connector the local vehicles use before you buy.

For more on the difference between AC and DC charging, see AC or DC: which suits your location.