Complete Guide To EV Charger Connector Types

This article will provide a complete guide to EV charger connections so you will know what you need if you are looking to become an EV owner, fleet manager, or installer of charging equipment; you will not waste time and effort trying to determine the correct connector type for your EV and its charger. As you read the article we will provide pictures, graphics, and an explanation of each of the different chargers that exist as well as frequently asked questions (like are J1772 and CCS the same type of connectors?) to help you make a more informed decision.

Types of EV Charger Connectors

There are several different standards established for the chargers that feed power to electric cars. Let’s enumerate these standards to get clarity.

J1772 (First Generation)

The SAE J1772 (which is also called the First Generation Level 1 (120 volts) and Level 2 (240 volts) charger connectors) is the standard 120 and 240 volt J1772 series four or five pin connectors used in North America for most electric vehicles except Tesla. Note that Tesla does offer a converter allowing their vehicles to plug into J1772 chargers.

Combined Charging System (CCS)

The Combined Charging System (CCS) is an improved J1772, which is referred to as the CCS1 in North America and the CCS2 in Europe. The CCS can be used for both Level 2 AC and DC (fast) charging thanks to its additional power pins and has become the predominant EV charger connector for fast charging, adopted by many manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, and Hyundai.

CHAdeMO

CHAdeMO is a Japanese standard developed by the manufacturers Nissan and Mitsubishi. CHAdeMO is used primarily for DC fast charging and is highly reliable; however, its usage worldwide is declining as more automotive manufacturers are now switching to CCS.

Tesla Supercharger Connector

Tesla offers a proprietary charging connector for use with its Supercharger network in North America but has converted all Tesla models sold in Europe to use the CCS2 standard connector. Recently, Tesla has started adding CCS compatibility to its Supercharger stations so that they can be used by all EV manufacturers.

Type 2 Connector

The Type 2 Connector is the most commonly used AC connector in Europe for charging vehicles at home or at public charging locations.

How to Identify the Right Connector for Your EV

Your Electric Vehicle (EV) charger connector type will depend on your EV’s make and model as well as charging infrastructure where you live.

Here are some examples to check your EV’s charger connector type:

Check your car’s owner’s manual: Look for details of EV charging standards.
Find out what type of EV charging connectors are most common in your region: For example, in North America, CCS is more commonly used, and in Japan, CHAdeMO is more prevalent.
Look for an adapter: Many manufacturers like Tesla provide adapters for compatibility with other connectors.

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Frequently Asked Questions About EV Charger Connector Types

Are J1772 and CCS the same?

J1772 and CCS connectors are the same connectors with the same specifications, but J1772 can only be used for AC charging because they have no DC fast-charge pins like CCS connectors do, which therefore allows CCS to have a shorter charge time than J1772, especially when charging at the DC level.

Can I use a Tesla charger for non-Tesla EVs?

You can use a Tesla electric vehicle charger (EV charger) with a non-Tesla electric vehicle (EV) in some cases due to the fact that Tesla has begun retrofitting its Supercharger network to include CCS connectors for use with non-Tesla EVs. Additionally, some connective adapters can allow for the use of Tesla charging stations with certain non-Tesla EVs.

What is the fastest EV charger connector?

The fastest EV charger connector is Tesla Superchargers or the CCS connectors found at advanced DC fast-charging stations. The maximum charging speed of your electric vehicle (EV) must also be taken into account in addition to the type of charger you have.

Which connector is the most widely used worldwide?

The two most commonly used EV connectors are Type 2 connectors worldwide for AC charging, and CCS connectors are the preferred standard for fast charging in the U.S. and Europe, while CHAdeMO can still be found in many locations in Japan.

Future Trends in EV Charger Connector Standards

The growing electric vehicle (EV) marketplace is heading toward standardized EV charging solutions by transitioning from multiple connectors to fewer or only one or two connectors to be utilized in the EV charging industry that promotes faster, easier, and more affordable charging options. There is also a growing number of wireless charging options and many bidirectional charging options that are on the horizon, which will change the way that we think about EV charging in the future.