Charging port and plug types
Old EVs such as the original RAV4 EV and General Motors EV1 used a Magne Charge inductive charge paddle, but it is no longer in use today. Keep reading for our rundown on everything else.
J1772 Type 1
You’ll find the SAE J1772 Type 1 plug in older EVs and plug-in hybrids in North America.
In North America, modern electric cars began to use a plug standard created by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), called the SAE J1772 Type 1, often called a “J-plug” for short. It looks like a round plug with five circular holes. The J1772 can accommodate Levels 1 and 2 charging with the same plug that goes into the vehicle. However, the plug that goes into the wall would differ, depending on Level 1 or 2 charging. Europe uses the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC 62196 Type 2 connector, also called the Mennekes connector. It is shaped differently than the J1772 but handles the same forms of charging. You’ll find the J1772 on most plug-in hybrids or some of the early modern EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus Electric and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The maximum power delivery of a J1772 outlet is 1.44 kW at 120 volts and up to 19.2 kW at 240 volts.
CHAdeMo
The CHAdeMO plug on the left is for DC fast charging and to the right of it is a covered J1772 plug. CHAdeMo is an older standard used on only a couple of vehicles.
The CHAdeMo standard was developed by the Tokyo Electric Power Co. and a number of Japanese automakers for the purpose of providing DC charging to an EV or PHEV. At the time of it being launched, CHAdeMo was the only way to fast charge a vehicle. Its larger, round socket required a different plug, often sitting adjacent to the J1772.
CHAdeMo debuted on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and made its way to the Nissan Leaf and the short-lived Honda Fit EV. The CHAdeMo cable can deliver a maximum power output of up to 400 kW.
However, soon after the launch of CHAdeMo, the Combined Charging System (CCS) was introduced and adopted by seven automakers. After that, several European automotive organizations endorsed CCS and then CHAdeMo suddenly became less relevant. At this time, the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are the only vehicles still using CHAdeMo.
Combined Charging System (CCS Type 1)
The CCS Type 1 is the most common plug used on modern EVs. It combines the J1772 and DC charger compatibility into one standardized connector.
The CCS Type 1 and 2 plug standards were developed by the SAE and European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) to solve the problem posed by CHAdeMO and other connectors and create one plug to charge them all. In reality, there are two variations. CCS Type 1 is used in North America and features a J1772 on top with a standardized two-pin DC plug underneath it. In Europe, this plug becomes the CCS Type 2. It includes the Mennekes connector at the top instead of the J1772, and it uses the same DC plug underneath.
Other names for this plug include the CCS Combo 1 or SAE J1772 combo connector. The top portion of the CCS plug can be used for Level 1 and 2 charging with a J1772 connector. Most EVs have a plastic piece that covers the lower section. When a DC fast charge is needed or a station uses a CCS connector, the driver would remove the plastic cover and utilize the whole plug.
At this point, nearly every automaker has adopted the CCS standard and it has become the most common plug found on new EVs. CCS has a maximum power delivery of 350 kW.
Tesla NACS
Tesla’s NACS connector is used for all the automaker’s vehicles except for the original Tesla Roadster. It is not compatible with non-Teslas unless a special adapter is used.
With the debut of the Tesla Model S, the company decided to eschew the industry standard plugs and develop its own. The Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) is the smallest EV plug and features a squarish oval connector with five holes. Tesla has made its plug standard open source, but no other automaker has adopted it yet. The advantage of Tesla’s NACS is that it can accommodate all forms of charging in one plug. The CCS plug does the same now, but Tesla was the first to do it at scale.
Every model in Tesla’s lineup, except for the original Roadster, uses the NACS connector. As such, all charge stations in Tesla’s Supercharger network use this connector. Notably, in Europe, the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y come with a CCS Type 2 power outlet. The Model S and Model X still use the NACS but will include an adapter to ensure CCS Type 2 compatibility. As of this article’s publication, Tesla’s NACS standard currently has a maximum power delivery upward of 250 kW. It is possible for Tesla vehicles to use J1772, CHAdeMO or CCS Type 1 connectors provided the owner has purchased the appropriate adapter.
Non-Tesla vehicles with a CCS Type 1 plug can charge at certain Supercharger stations outfitted with a Magic Dock adapter. Owners will need to download and create an account in the Tesla app, then visit a designated Tesla Supercharger. There are only a handful of compatible stations at this time, but the company expects to open more in the near future.