EV charging connector types

J1772, CCS, NACS (SAE J3400), CHAdeMO and Type 2: what each plug is for, with only what an official or standards source says and a clear mark on what we could not confirm.

In the U.S., the Department of Energy lists J1772 for AC Level 1 and Level 2 and three DC fast-charging systems: CCS, CHAdeMO and J3400 (NACS). In the EU, the law requires Type 2 for AC and Combo 2 for DC.

Where

Charging

6 connectors are named by the sources we opened for this choice.

J1772
AC
The connector at the end of a Level 1 or Level 2 cord in the U.S.
Named for United States
CCS (J1772 combo)
DC fast and AC
The J1772 plug with two extra pins for DC fast charging, which the DOE says most EV models on the market can use.
Named for United States
NACS (SAE J3400)
AC and DC fast
The connector based on Tesla's design, standardised by SAE as J3400, for every charging level.
Named for United States
CHAdeMO
DC fast
A DC fast-charging connector the DOE ties to Japanese automakers.
Named for United States
Type 2
AC
The AC connector the EU requires at public recharging points.
Named for European Union
Combo 2
DC fast
The DC fast-charging connector the EU requires at public high-power points.
Named for European Union

What each connector is, with its source

Every statement carries the source it comes from. What the sources do not say is marked.

J1772

Also written: SAE J1772

AC Level 1 and Level 2 equipment use the same J1772 connector. A Level 1 cord has a standard NEMA plug on one end and a J1772 connector on the other. (DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations)
Each AC Level 2 port at a station built with NEVI funds must have a permanently attached J1772 connector. (23 CFR 680.106(c))
Tesla vehicles come with a J1772 adapter, which lets them use non-Tesla Level 2 equipment. (DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations)

not confirmedNumber of pins and physical dimensions; Whether it is also called "Type 1" (not stated in the pages we opened); Maximum power of the connector.

CCS (J1772 combo)

Also written: SAE Combined Charging System; "CCS Type 1" in 23 CFR 680.106(c)

The CCS connector (also known as SAE J1772 combo) lets drivers use the same charge port with AC Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging equipment. The only difference is that the DC fast charging connector has two additional bottom pins. (DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations)
Most EV models on the market can charge using the CCS connector. (DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations)
Each DC fast charging port at a station built with NEVI funds must have at least one permanently attached "CCS Type 1" connector. (23 CFR 680.106(c))

not confirmedWhether "CCS1" is a common short name (the sources say "CCS", "J1772 combo" and "CCS Type 1"); Maximum power of the connector.

NACS (SAE J3400)

Also written: North American Charging System, J3400, "Tesla connector"

SAE International is standardizing the J3400 connector based on Tesla's design for the NACS connector, which works for all charging levels. Vehicles with a J3400 connector can use it for all charging levels. (DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations)
SAE catalogue: J3400_202409, North American Charging System (NACS) for Electric Vehicles, a Recommended Practice published September 30, 2024, covering a hand-mated coupler for DC or single-phase AC power with two current-carrying contacts. (SAE J3400_202409)
Several vehicle manufacturers have announced adopting the J3400 connector as early as 2025, which will let non-Tesla EVs charge at stations with the J3400 connector (wording of an undated DOE page). (DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations)

not confirmedWhich car models have a J3400 port today; Whether SAE has issued a revision newer than J3400_202409; Maximum power of the connector.

CHAdeMO

The CHAdeMO connector is another common DC fast connector type among Japanese automakers. (DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations)
Permanently attached CHAdeMO connectors can be provided at NEVI-funded stations using only FY2022 NEVI funds. (23 CFR 680.106(c))

not confirmedHow many stations or cars use it today; Countries outside the U.S.; Maximum power of the connector.

Type 2

Also written: EN 62196-2

Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II: AC recharging points for electric vehicles shall be equipped, for interoperability, at least with socket outlets or vehicle connectors of Type 2 as described in standard EN 62196-2:2017. It applies from April 13, 2024. (Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II)

not confirmedNumber of pins and dimensions; Use outside the EU; Maximum power of the connector.

Combo 2

Also written: EN 62196-3; the regulation does not use the short name "CCS2"

Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II: DC recharging points for electric vehicles shall be equipped, for interoperability, at least with connectors of the combined charging system "Combo 2" as described in standard EN 62196-3:2014. (Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II)

not confirmedWhether "CCS2" is a common short name (the regulation says "Combo 2"); Use outside the EU; Maximum power of the connector.

Connector types at a glance

Only the columns the sources support.

EV connectors, charging type and where a source names them
Connector	Charging	Named for	Source
J1772	AC	United States	DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations; 23 CFR 680.106(c)
CCS (J1772 combo)	DC fast, AC	United States	DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations; 23 CFR 680.106(c)
NACS (SAE J3400)	AC, DC fast	United States	DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations; SAE J3400_202409
CHAdeMO	DC fast	United States	DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations; 23 CFR 680.106(c)
Type 2	AC	European Union	Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II
Combo 2	DC fast	European Union	Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II

A connector missing for a region here means the sources we opened do not name it there, not that it is not used. China's GB/T and other countries' standards were not researched: not confirmed

What the sources cover, and what they do not

The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center page on charging stations is a general guide, not a law, and shows no date; we opened it on October 11, 2026. Its wording about J3400 ("SAE International is standardizing") is older than the SAE catalogue entry, which lists J3400_202409 as a Recommended Practice published on September 30, 2024.

Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 680.106(c), is a funding rule: it sets the connectors required at stations built with the federal NEVI program, as of October 1, 2026. It does not say what every station in the country has. Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 sets the minimum connectors for public recharging points in the European Union, from April 13, 2024. Neither document says which cars have which port; check your owner's manual.

Charging speed is not a property of the plug alone: power depends on the car, the charger and the battery. For the time a charge takes, use the charging time calculator.

Sources: DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, EV charging stations (page shows no date); SAE J3400_202409 (page dated September 30, 2024); 23 CFR 680.106(c) (page dated October 1, 2026); Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II (page dated January 8, 2026) · opened October 11, 2026

Plan a charging trip

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CCS, NACS and CHAdeMO?

They are three DC fast-charging connector families. The U.S. Department of Energy lists the CCS (SAE Combined Charging System, also called J1772 combo), CHAdeMO, which it describes as common among Japanese automakers, and J3400, based on Tesla's NACS design, which works for all charging levels.

What plug does Level 2 charging use?

The Department of Energy says Level 1 and Level 2 equipment use the same J1772 connector, and that vehicles with a J3400 connector can use it for all charging levels. Tesla vehicles come with a J1772 adapter for non-Tesla Level 2 equipment.

Is NACS the same as SAE J3400?

SAE International lists J3400 as the North American Charging System (NACS) for electric vehicles, a Recommended Practice published on September 30, 2024 (the revision listed on the catalogue page we read; later revisions were not checked). The Department of Energy says J3400 is based on the design of Tesla's NACS connector.

Which connector is used in Europe?

Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, Annex II, requires AC recharging points for electric vehicles to be equipped at least with Type 2 sockets or connectors (EN 62196-2) and DC points at least with the Combined Charging System "Combo 2" (EN 62196-3). It applies from April 13, 2024.

Can I charge with a different connector using an adapter?

The Department of Energy says Tesla vehicles come with a limited CCS or CHAdeMO adapter that supports charging up to 19.2 kW and that Tesla sells full-power adapters for both. Other adapter compatibility is not confirmed here: check with your car maker.

More EV charging tools

Each page answers one question about a charging trip.