EU Mandates Unified Type 2 Mode 3 Standard for All New Private AC Chargers Starting 2026
The European Commission's Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/656 fully took effect on Jan 8, 2026, and official supplementary interpretation was released on July 21 this week, clarifying mandatory standards for household portable EV chargers (charging guns). All newly sold private AC portable chargers with power above 3.7kW must adopt IEC 62196-2 Type 2 7-pin connectors for Mode 3 three-phase charging. Low-power 3.7kW single-phase portable chargers can use standard Schuko Mode 2 sockets but must retain Type 2 gun compatibility. The regulation enforces unified Plug & Charge (ISO 15118) communication protocols for smart portable chargers, requiring touch LCD, scheduled charging and full leakage/overcurrent protection as basic configurations. Non-compliant Type 2 charging guns and portable chargers will be banned from EU customs clearance starting September 2026, directly impacting Chinese EV charger manufacturers exporting to Europe.