A connector is the plug at the end of a charging cable that mates with the inlet on an electric vehicle. Its shape and communication protocol determine which vehicles a charging port can serve without an adapter.
North America has gone through a connector transition. Most automakers have announced a move to the North American Charging Standard (NACS), developed by Tesla and standardized by SAE as J3400, while millions of vehicles on the road use J1772 and CCS.
Common connectors in North America
- SAE J1772. The long-standing AC connector for Level 1 and Level 2 charging on non-Tesla vehicles.
- CCS1 (Combined Charging System). J1772 with two added DC pins for DC fast charging.
- CHAdeMO. An older DC standard used by some earlier vehicles, now being phased out in North America.
- NACS (SAE J3400). A single compact connector for both AC and DC charging, being adopted across the industry.
What to install
During the transition, many owners install equipment with both J1772 or CCS and J3400 cables, or choose hardware that can change connectors later. Check current program funding rules, which may specify connector types.
The Parkonomics view
Connectors are the most visible part of a charger and among the easiest to change. Do not let a connector debate delay the conduit and capacity that serve every standard.
Related terms: Charging Port, EVSE, DC Fast Charging, Charger, Wireless EV Charging