An electrical connector for charging electrical vehicles, comprising: a locking lever, which is rotatable and configured to lock a fitting state between the electrical connector and a mating connector; a switching mechanism comprising a switch that, when mechanically operated by the locking lever, generates a signal capable of establishing conduction between the electrical connector and the mating connector, and that, when mechanically unoperated by the locking lever, generates a signal for interrupting the conduction between the electrical connector and the mating connector, or does not generate the signal capable of establishing the conduction between the electrical connector and the mating connector; and an outer shell, being an outer cover of the connector and being configured to accommodate the locking lever and the switching mechanism therein; the locking lever comprising: a rotation shaft defining a center of rotation; a locking portion to be brought into contact with the mating connector; and an operating portion, which is arranged on an opposite side of the locking portion across the rotation shaft, and is capable of mechanically operating the switch, characterized in that the switching mechanism further comprises a movable plate which retains the switch and which is arranged so as to be movable between a first position and a second position with said retained switch; the electrical connector further comprises a cover comprising a cover-side retaining portion, the cover being arranged on the outer shell so that at least a part of the cover is exposed to an outside of the outer shell, said cover being thus arranged on an outer side of said outer shell, so as to be mountable and dismountable from the switching mechanism; and a switch-side retaining portion, which is arranged in the switching mechanism and configured to retain the switching mechanism at the first position through contact with the cover-side retaining portion; when the movable plate is located at the first position, the locking lever is rotated so that the operating portion is capable of mechanically operating the switch; when the cover-side retaining portion and the switch-side retaining portion are in a non-contact state, a force moves the movable plate with its retained switch, from the first position to the second position, said movable plate with its retained switch being then arranged at the second position; and when the movable plate is located at the second position, the operating portion of the locking lever is incapable of reaching and thus mechanically operating the switch. a locking lever, which is rotatable and configured to lock a fitting state between the electrical connector and a mating connector; a switching mechanism comprising a switch that, when mechanically operated by the locking lever, generates a signal capable of establishing conduction between the electrical connector and the mating connector, and that, when mechanically unoperated by the locking lever, generates a signal for interrupting the conduction between the electrical connector and the mating connector, or does not generate the signal capable of establishing the conduction between the electrical connector and the mating connector; and an outer shell, being an outer cover of the connector and being configured to accommodate the locking lever and the switching mechanism therein; the locking lever comprising: a rotation shaft defining a center of rotation; a locking portion to be brought into contact with the mating connector; and an operating portion, which is arranged on an opposite side of the locking portion across the rotation shaft, and is capable of mechanically operating the switch, a rotation shaft defining a center of rotation; a locking portion to be brought into contact with the mating connector; and an operating portion, which is arranged on an opposite side of the locking portion across the rotation shaft, and is capable of mechanically operating the switch, characterized in that the switching mechanism further comprises a movable plate which retains the switch and which is arranged so as to be movable between a first position and a second position with said retained switch; the electrical connector further comprises a cover comprising a cover-side retaining portion, the cover being arranged on the outer shell so that at least a part of the cover is exposed to an outside of the outer shell, said cover being thus arranged on an outer side of said outer shell, so as to be mountable and dismountable from the switching mechanism; and a switch-side retaining portion, which is arranged in the switching mechanism and configured to retain the switching mechanism at the first position through contact with the cover-side retaining portion; when the movable plate is located at the first position, the locking lever is rotated so that the operating portion is capable of mechanically operating the switch; when the cover-side retaining portion and the switch-side retaining portion are in a non-contact state, a force moves the movable plate with its retained switch, from the first position to the second position, said movable plate with its retained switch being then arranged at the second position; and when the movable plate is located at the second position, the operating portion of the locking lever is incapable of reaching and thus mechanically operating the switch.