EV Charger Connectors are what link your electric car to an EV charging station, which may be located in commercial and public spaces worldwide. While the EV charging connectors differ by region and car, they all share the same electrical protocol for conductive charging.
This article explores the different EV charging connector types, sockets and plugs available for EV cars around the world by their charging power, standards and geographical deployment. Whether you’re an electric vehicle owner or charging station provider and installer, understanding these differences is essential for optimizing your EV charging infrastructure.
SAE J1772 is an EV charging connector used widely across Europe and Japan. This connector type has five pins, can deliver up to 80 amps of 240 volt AC charging and features an automatic locking mechanism. It is compatible with most Level 2 charging stations, but not the fastest DC fast chargers like CHAdeMO and CCS.
Combined Charging System (CCS) is an improvement on the SAE J1772 standard, adding two high-speed DC charging pins at the bottom of the connector. This allows for faster DC charging and is compatible with most Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations. CCS is also compatible with the GB/T plug, which is used by Chinese EVs. In North America, Tesla uses a proprietary charging connector, known as the NACS or “Tesla SuperCharger” connector, which is capable of up to 250 kW. However, Tesla recently made this connector compatible with other vehicles in their range, allowing them to make the most of the existing charging network. EV Charger Connectors