What Are the Different Types of EV Charger Plugs?

Confused by the jumble of EV plugs? Worrying about compatibility can be stressful. Let's simplify the different types so you always know which one you need.

The main types are Type 1 (J1772)¹andType 2² for AC charging³, and CHAdeMO⁴, CCS (Combo 1 & 2)⁵, and NACS (Tesla)⁶ for DC fast charging⁷. North America primarily uses Type 1/CCS1, while Europe uses Type 2²/CCS2.

Understanding the basic types is the first step. But the real confusion often starts when we talk about specific brands and standards, especially the big ones like Tesla. This is a topic that comes up constantly in my conversations, from CPO product directors like Marco planning future-proof networks to dealership managers like Isabelle who just want the right charger for their customers. Let's dig into that common question.

Is a Tesla using CHAdeMO⁴ or CCS?

See a Tesla at a public charger and wonder what it's using? It's easy to get confused. Let me clear up Tesla's unique charging situation for you.

Tesla has its own plug, now called the North American Charging Standard⁸ (NACS). It does not use CHAdeMO⁴ or CCS directly. However, Tesla cars can use CHAdeMO⁴ and CCS chargers with official adapters, providing access to a wider public charging network⁹.

The world of EV plugs can feel a bit like the early days of cell phone chargers—everyone had a different one. Tesla created its own system from the start. This gave them great control over the user experience but created a separate ecosystem. It’s a challenge that fleet managers¹⁰ like David have to plan for when managing mixed-brand fleets. They need chargers and adapters that can handle everything.

Tesla's Unique Approach

The Tesla connector, now rebranded as the North American Charging Standard⁸ (NACS), is impressively compact. It cleverly handles both AC and DC charging through the same sleek plug, which is a big reason for its popularity.

Adapters are the Key

To give their drivers more options, Tesla sells adapters. A Tesla driver can carry a CCS or CHAdeMO⁴ adapter in their trunk. This allows them to use the vast public charging network⁹s built by Charge Point Operators (CPOs)¹¹. For a CPO like Marco, this is important. It means his CCS and CHAdeMO⁴ chargers can serve almost every EV on the road, including Teslas. The recent trend of major automakers like Ford and GM adopting the NACS plug for their future EVs is rapidly changing the landscape, making NACS the emerging dominant standard in North America.

What is the difference between J1772¹² and CHAdeMO⁴ plugs?

Do J1772¹² and CHAdeMO⁴ plugs look totally different? They serve very different purposes. Let's break down the key differences between these common North American and Japanese standards.

The main difference is speed and function. The J1772¹² (Type 1) is for slower AC charging³ (Level 1 and 2). CHAdeMO⁴ is a much larger plug used exclusively for high-power DC fast charging⁷. They are physically different and not interchangeable.

I often see this question come from people setting up charging for the first time, like the French dealership manager Isabelle. She needs a simple AC charger for her customer lounge but a powerful DC charger in her service bay for quick top-ups. Understanding the role of each plug type is fundamental to making the right hardware choice. They are built for completely different jobs.

AC Charging: The J1772¹² (Type 1) Standard

The J1772¹² plug, also known as Type 1, is the standard for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging³ across North America. It has a round, five-pin design. This is the plug you'll find on most home chargers, like our Gresgying Turbo Wallbox, and many public chargers at workplaces or shopping centers. It's designed for longer charging sessions, like overnight at home or during a workday. CCS1-equipped cars have a J1772¹² port on top for this exact purpose.

DC Fast Charging: The CHAdeMO⁴ Standard

CHAdeMO⁴ is one of the original DC fast-charging standards, developed in Japan. The name is an abbreviation of "CHArge de MOve," or "charge for moving." It's a large, round connector designed to deliver a high amount of DC power directly to the battery for rapid charging. It was primarily used by Japanese automakers like Nissan and Mitsubishi. While CCS has become more dominant globally, CHAdeMO⁴ chargers are still a vital part of the charging infrastructure, especially for public transit managers like Kenji whose older bus fleets might depend on them.

Can a CCS car use a Tesla charger?

You drive a CCS car but see an empty Tesla Supercharger¹³. It's frustrating you can't use it. Let's look at why this is and how things are changing fast.

Generally, a CCS car cannot use a Tesla Supercharger¹³ due to the different plug and proprietary software. However, Tesla is adding "Magic Dock¹⁴" adapters to some Superchargers to allow CCS cars to charge, and most automakers are switching to Tesla's NACS plug soon.


This has been a major point of friction in the EV world for years. Tesla built its own exclusive "walled garden" network. This created a fantastic, reliable experience for Tesla drivers but left everyone else out. For a commercial real estate manager like Sophia, who wants to offer charging to all her customers, this fragmentation is a problem. But the walls are starting to come down.

The Opening Network

The biggest change is Tesla's decision to open its network. They are retrofitting some Supercharger stations with a built-in adapter called the "Magic Dock¹⁴." When a CCS driver uses the Tesla app, the dock releases the adapter so they can plug into their car. This is a game-changer, dramatically expanding the fast-charging options for non-Tesla drivers.

Conclusion

Understanding EV plugs is key to confident charging. As standards evolve, choosing flexible, future-proof hardware from a reliable partner is the smartest investment you can make for the road ahead.