EV Charging Connectors: J1772, CCS1, NACS and CHAdeMO

The four plugs you will see in the US

Public charging in the US uses a small set of connectors. Knowing which one your car accepts saves you from pulling into a station you cannot use. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that all commercially available EVs in the US can charge on Level 1 and Level 2, but fast charging depends on matching the right DC connector.

• J1772: the standard AC plug for Level 1 (120-volt) and Level 2 (208/240-volt) charging on most non-Tesla EVs. It is round with five pins.
• CCS1 (Combined Charging System): the J1772 shape with two extra DC pins underneath. It lets one port handle Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging.
• NACS / SAE J3400: the slim plug Tesla designed. It uses the same pins for AC and DC power, so one small connector covers every charging level.
• CHAdeMO: a separate DC fast-charging plug that the Department of Energy describes as common among Japanese automakers. These cars typically use a J1772 port for AC charging.

Which cars use which connector

For years the split was simple. Tesla used its own plug, and almost everyone else used J1772 for AC plus CCS1 for fast charging. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation says most EV models on the market charge with CCS1 and that every non-Tesla EV produced through 2024 has a CCS1 port.

That is now changing. The Joint Office reports that most automakers committed to adding the J3400 (NACS) connector beginning in 2025, so newer models are increasingly arriving with a NACS port from the factory. Because the switch happens model by model and year by year, two cars from the same brand can have different ports. Always check your specific vehicle rather than assuming by brand.

Why the industry is moving to NACS (J3400)

Tesla opened its connector design to other companies, and SAE International turned it into an industry standard called J3400. SAE released a Technical Information Report in December 2023 and later published J3400 as a Recommended Practice, which it presented at The Battery Show in Detroit in 2024. Once a plug is an SAE standard, any manufacturer can build cars, chargers and adapters to the same specification.

The practical draw for drivers is access to Tesla's Supercharger network along with a smaller, lighter plug. CCS1 is not disappearing overnight, though. Federally funded fast chargers must still include a permanently attached CCS1 connector, and they may add J3400 alongside it. Expect to see both plugs at many stations for years.

Adapters: what they do and how to use them safely

Adapters bridge the gap during the transition. A CCS1 car can use a NACS-to-CCS1 DC adapter at Tesla Superchargers that support other brands. A NACS car can use a J1772 adapter at ordinary Level 2 stations, and the Department of Energy notes that all Tesla vehicles come with one. Newer NACS cars may also need a CCS1 adapter to use CCS fast chargers.

Safety matters here because fast charging moves a lot of power. The Joint Office says not all adapters work with all vehicles or chargers, and that until UL-certified adapters are widely available, drivers should use only adapters provided by their vehicle manufacturer for their specific vehicle. Automakers back this up. GM, for example, says it highly discourages third-party adapters and that damage from non-approved parts is not covered by the vehicle warranty.

• Use the adapter your automaker sells, supplies or approves for your model.
• Check whether it is an AC (Level 2) or DC (fast charging) adapter. GM notes its NACS DC adapter does not work on Level 2 chargers.
• Follow the connection order in your owner's manual, and remove the adapter with the cable when you finish.
• Inspect it before each use and stop using it if it is cracked, loose or unusually hot.

How to find out what your car needs

You do not need to guess. A few minutes of checking tells you exactly which stations will work.

• Look at the charge port. A round five-pin opening with two large pins below is CCS1. A five-pin opening with no extra DC pins is J1772 only. A small teardrop-shaped port is NACS. A separate large round port next to a J1772 port is CHAdeMO.
• Read the owner's manual or the charging section of your automaker's app. It lists the port, the maximum charging speed and any approved adapters.
• Set your connector in your charging app. Most station finders, including the Department of Energy's Station Locator, let you filter by connector type so you only see stations you can use.
• Ask your dealer whether your model qualifies for Tesla Supercharger access and which adapter is approved.

What this means for finding cheap charging

More plug options mean more places to charge, and more competition can help keep prices in check. If you drive a CCS1 car, an approved NACS adapter may open up additional fast-charging stations. If you drive a NACS car, keeping a J1772 adapter in the car lets you use the many Level 2 stations at workplaces, hotels and shopping centers, some of which are free.

Before you rely on any station, check its connector list and current status in the network's app. Plug types listed online are sometimes out of date, and a station that only has the plug you lack is no help when your battery is low.