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What's the Difference Between EV Charge Connectors?


When it comes to charging an electric vehicle (EV), it’s important to know about what type of charging port your vehicle has. As their name implies, all EVs require electricity to run and when their battery runs low they need to be plugged in to charge, just as one would with their smartphone.

There are three EV charging connector standards that can be found in North America:


CHAdeMO

A joint-venture development by major Japanese electrical companies and automotive manufacturers, such as Nissan, Mitsubishi, and TEPCO. CHAdeMO is a DC fast charging-capable protocol that can reach up to 400kW in second generation models, with a higher capacity protocol for CHAdeMO 3.0/ChaoJi undergoing testing.


While it is most popular in Japan and quite popular in Europe, it is not standard on new vehicles in North America aside from select models, such as the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which also include a standard SAE J1772 port for AC charging alongside the CHAdeMO port.


SAE J1772 and CCS Combo

Currently, the majority of EV manufacturers selling vehicles in North America have been using the SAE J1772 and Combined Charging System (CCS) Combo 1 connectors in their vehicles. Manufacturers include, but are not limited to, Ford, General Motors, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, and Toyota. 


The J1772 connector, also referred to as the J plug or a Type 1 connector, is a standard connector used in North America for AC Level 1 charging (typical 1.44 kW, 12A @ 120V) and Level 2 charging (up to 19 kW, 80A @ 240V). 


The CCS port is based on the J1772 connector and includes two extra DC pins which enables DC fast charging at up to 350kW with compatible charging stations. Most modern EVs will be equipped from the factory with a CCS port, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles with either AC power or DC fast charging depending on the circumstance.


Tesla Charger or NACS

Developed by Tesla Inc., the Tesla charging connector is a proprietary charging standard that- until recently, was utilized only by Tesla on their own EVs. It is a single-design charging connector that is capable of both AC and DC fast charging. On AC power, it can handle up to 11.5 kW, 48A @ 240V on a typical residential electrical supply. Through public DC fast charging, Tesla Superchargers are able to handle up to 250 kW on V3 Superchargers and up to 325 kW on a V3+ model.


The Big Shift: From CCS to NACS

In 2023, the Tesla charging connector was standardized by SAE International as SAE J3400 and recognized under the acronym North American Charging System (NACS). Ford was the first to officially announce support for the new charging standard, with the vast majority of other EV manufacturers operating in North America announcing future support as well. For a full list of manufacturers, see the list below.


Manufacturers to Support and Adopt NACS

  • Ford

  • General Motors

  • Stellantis

  • Rivian

  • Lucid

  • Mercedes

  • BMW

  • Audi

  • Volkswagen

  • Volvo

  • Polestar

  • Nissan

  • Honda

  • Toyota

  • Jaguar Land Rover

  • Hyundai Kia

  • Subaru

  • Mazda


Many manufacturers began the transition to NACS by partnering with Tesla to open up Supercharger availability and offering official adapters for eligible owners. You can expect to see the new NACS ports to be rolled out in new and refreshed models in Canada throughout 2025 and onward.


What This Means For You

For the majority of current EV drivers, you can continue to charge your vehicle as you have been. Your vehicle will keep its charge port and existing EV charging stations won’t be getting rid of the J-plug or CCS Combo plugs anytime soon, but it is likely that more will begin to see the inclusion of NACS adapters or connectors moving forward.


The biggest change will be the availability of select Tesla Superchargers to non-Tesla EVs. Certain Superchargers marked as an “All EV Supercharger” allow regular EVs using a CCS1 port to charge their vehicles using a provided adapter. According to Tesla, other NACS Superchargers are being rolled out and can be accessed using an appropriate adapter provided by manufacturers, or if a vehicle already has an NACS charge port, to just plug in as-is. At the time of writing (February 2025), Tesla’s official site lists NACS Supercharger support for Ford, General Motors, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Rivian, and Volvo.


While range anxiety is still a valid concern depending on your commute, it is becoming much easier to find a place to recharge your vehicle. You can address and manage the challenge of EV range during your daily routine best by installing an EV charger in your home. Our Kasier EVC45 Level 2 EV Charger is available in up to 48A charge capacity and can keep your EV topped up and ready to go each morning.

 
 
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