What are the main EV connector types in the US?

The four main EV connector types in the US are J1772 for Level 2 AC charging, CCS (Combined Charging System) for DC fast charging, CHAdeMO for DC fast charging on older Nissan and Mitsubishi models, and NACS (North American Charging Standard) used by Tesla and increasingly adopted by other manufacturers.

What is the difference between CCS and CHAdeMO?

CCS (Combined Charging System) combines a J1772 AC connector with two additional DC pins and supports up to 350 kW. CHAdeMO is a separate DC connector supporting up to 400 kW. Most US automakers have standardized on CCS, while CHAdeMO is found mainly on older Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander models. CCS has become the dominant DC fast charging standard alongside NACS.

Can Tesla vehicles use non-Tesla chargers?

Yes. Tesla vehicles with NACS ports can use CCS chargers with a NACS-to-CCS adapter. Tesla also sells a CCS adapter for older Model S and Model X vehicles. Additionally, Tesla has opened many Supercharger stations to non-Tesla EVs equipped with CCS through the Magic Dock adapter system.

What connector does my EV use?

All non-Tesla EVs sold in the US before 2025 use J1772 for Level 2 and CCS for DC fast charging. Tesla vehicles use the NACS connector. Starting in 2025, most new EVs from Ford, GM, Rivian, and others are switching to NACS. Older Nissan Leaf models use CHAdeMO for DC fast charging.

Guide

EV Connector Types Explained

J1772, CCS, CHAdeMO, and NACS — understanding which connectors work with your EV and where to find them across 84,037 US stations.

EV connectors determine which charging stations your vehicle can use. The US market uses four main connector standards: J1772 for Level 2 AC charging, CCS and CHAdeMO for DC fast charging, and NACS (Tesla's North American Charging Standard) for both AC and DC. The connector landscape is consolidating around NACS and CCS as CHAdeMO phases out of new vehicles.

J1772

Level 2 AC Standard

Power: Up to 19.2 kW (Level 2)
Used by: All non-Tesla EVs (Level 2)
Speed: 12-80 miles of range per hour
Note: Universal AC standard since 2010

CCS (J1772 Combo)

DC Fast Charging

Power: Up to 350 kW
Used by: Most non-Tesla EVs for DC fast
Speed: 100-200+ miles in 30 minutes
Note: Adds DC pins to J1772 connector

CHAdeMO

DC Fast (Legacy)

Power: Up to 400 kW (typically 50 kW)
Used by: Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi Outlander
Speed: 50-100+ miles in 30 minutes
Note: Being phased out in US market

NACS (Tesla)

AC + DC Universal

Power: Up to 250 kW (V3 Supercharger)
Used by: Tesla; Ford, GM, Rivian from 2025
Speed: Up to 200 miles in 15 minutes
Note: Adopted as SAE J3400 standard

Which Connector Does My EV Use?

All non-Tesla EVs sold in the US before 2025 use J1772 for Level 2 charging and CCS for DC fast charging. Tesla vehicles use NACS for both. Starting in 2025, Ford, GM, Rivian, Mercedes, and other manufacturers began equipping new models with NACS ports, giving them direct access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Older Nissan Leaf models (2010-2023) use CHAdeMO for DC fast charging.

What Is the NACS Standard?

NACS (North American Charging Standard), originally Tesla's proprietary connector, was adopted by SAE International as the J3400 standard in 2023. The connector is smaller and lighter than CCS, handles both AC and DC charging through a single port, and supports up to 250 kW on Tesla's V3 Superchargers. With most major automakers adopting NACS, it is becoming the dominant connector in North America.

Are CCS and NACS Chargers Interchangeable?

Not directly, but adapters exist. Tesla sells a CCS-to-NACS adapter for its vehicles, and CCS vehicles can use NACS Superchargers at locations equipped with Magic Dock adapters. During the transition period, many public DC fast charging stations are being equipped with both CCS and NACS connectors. Networks like Electrify America and ChargePoint are adding NACS cables alongside CCS.

How Do Connector Types Affect Charging Speed?

The connector itself does not determine charging speed — the charger's power output and the vehicle's onboard charging rate are the limiting factors. However, different connectors support different maximum power levels. CCS supports up to 350 kW, NACS up to 250 kW (V3), and CHAdeMO typically maxes out at 50-100 kW in the US. See our guide to charging levels for a detailed speed comparison across Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging.

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