EV Connector Types Guide
Complete reference for electric vehicle charging connector types, specifications, and compatibility
🔌 CCS1 (Combo 1) North America
| Standard | SAE J1772 + DC pins |
|---|---|
| AC Power | Up to 19.2 kW (J1772) |
| DC Power | Up to 350 kW |
| Voltage | AC: 120-240V | DC: 50-1000V |
Compatible Vehicles
- Most North American EVs (2013+)
- Chevy Bolt EV/EUV
- Ford F-150 Lightning
- BMW i3, i4, iX
- Hyundai Ioniq 5/6
- Genesis GV60, GV70
Usage: Standard DC fast charging connector in North America. Combines J1772 AC pins with two additional DC pins for high-power charging.
🔌 CCS2 (Combo 2) Europe
| Standard | IEC 62196 Type 2 + DC pins |
|---|---|
| AC Power | Up to 43 kW (3-phase) |
| DC Power | Up to 350 kW |
| Voltage | AC: 230-400V | DC: 50-1000V |
Compatible Vehicles
- European EVs (2013+)
- Porsche Taycan
- Audi e-tron series
- Mercedes EQS, EQC
- Volkswagen ID series
- Polestar 2, 3
Usage: European standard for DC fast charging. Features more robust AC charging capabilities with 3-phase power support.
🔌 NACS (Tesla Connector) North America
| Standard | Tesla NACS (North American Charging Standard) |
|---|---|
| AC Power | Up to 17 kW |
| DC Power | Up to 250 kW (V3), 1 MW+ (V4) |
| Voltage | AC: 120-240V | DC: 50-1000V |
Compatible Vehicles
- All Tesla vehicles
- Ford (2024+ with adapter)
- GM (2025+)
- Rivian (2025+)
- Hyundai/Genesis (2025+)
- Many other OEMs adopting
Usage: Tesla's proprietary connector, becoming industry standard in North America. Smaller, more elegant design than CCS1.
🔌 CHAdeMO Japan
| Standard | CHAdeMO Association |
|---|---|
| AC Power | Via separate J1772/Type 2 |
| DC Power | Up to 150 kW (CHAdeMO 2.0: 400 kW) |
| Voltage | DC: 50-1000V |
Compatible Vehicles
- Nissan Leaf (all generations)
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Kia Soul EV (early models)
- Most Japanese EVs (legacy)
Usage: First widely adopted DC fast charging standard. Being phased out in favor of CCS, but still common on Nissan Leaf.
🔌 J1772 (Type 1) AC Only
| Standard | SAE J1772 |
|---|---|
| AC Power | Up to 19.2 kW |
| DC Power | N/A (AC only) |
| Voltage | 120-240V AC |
Compatible Vehicles
- All North American EVs (AC charging)
- Tesla (with included adapter)
- All CCS1 vehicles (AC portion)
- Legacy EVs (Chevy Volt, etc.)
Usage: Standard AC charging connector in North America. Used for home charging, workplace charging, and public Level 2 stations.
🔌 Type 2 (Mennekes) Europe
| Standard | IEC 62196-2 |
|---|---|
| AC Power | Up to 43 kW (3-phase) |
| DC Power | N/A (AC only) |
| Voltage | 230-400V AC |
Compatible Vehicles
- All European EVs (AC charging)
- Tesla Model S/X (EU versions)
- All CCS2 vehicles (AC portion)
- Supports single and 3-phase charging
Usage: Standard AC charging connector in Europe. Supports higher power AC charging than J1772 due to 3-phase capability.
Regional Adoption & Future Trends
NACS Adoption Timeline
- 2024: Ford begins NACS compatibility with adapters
- 2025: GM, Rivian, Hyundai/Genesis switch to NACS
- 2026+: Industry-wide adoption expected in North America
- CCS1 Legacy: Existing vehicles will continue to use CCS1 with adapters
Key Considerations
- Adapter Compatibility: Most connectors can be adapted with appropriate hardware
- Power Limitations: Adapter maximum power may be lower than native connector
- Regional Standards: Choose vehicles based on your region's dominant charging infrastructure
- Future-Proofing: Consider NACS for new purchases in North America