North America has used four EV connectors. Two are in decline, and the market is consolidating on one physical plug.
The connectors
| Connector | Standard | Charging | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| J1772 (“Type 1”) | SAE J1772 | AC Level 1 and 2 | Universal on Level 2 equipment for over a decade; being supplemented by J3400 |
| CCS1 (“Combo 1”) | SAE J1772 combo | AC, plus DC fast through two added pins | The DC standard most non-Tesla vehicles used through the mid-2020s |
| J3400 (“NACS”) | SAE J3400 | AC and DC in one compact plug | Originally Tesla’s connector; standardized by SAE starting in 2023 and adopted by most automakers selling in North America |
| CHAdeMO | CHAdeMO Association | DC fast | Legacy; few new vehicles in North America use it |
What J3400 changes
In 2023 most automakers selling in North America announced they would adopt the Tesla connector, and SAE published it as J3400. New vehicles are switching to J3400 inlets, and adapters let J3400 and CCS1 vehicles use each other’s chargers where the hardware and software support it.
For a site host, the practical result is a multi-year period in which both plugs are in use:
- New DC fast sites increasingly install dispensers with both CCS1 and J3400 cables, so they serve the existing fleet and new vehicles.
- Level 2 sites can stay on J1772 for now: adapters for AC charging are simple and inexpensive. Plan for J3400 at the next hardware refresh.
- CHAdeMO is worth keeping only where a site serves a known population of vehicles that need it.
Connectors and federal funding
The federal minimum standards for NEVI-funded chargers, in 23 CFR 680, require CCS connectors on DC fast chargers. In its March 2024 request for information, FHWA noted the publication of J3400 and asked whether the standards should change. FHWA guidance has allowed J3400 connectors alongside CCS, but check the current eCFR text and your state DOT’s program rules before you design a funded site. See also our J3400 news article.
Communication standards matter too
The plug is the visible part. Two protocols determine how well chargers work in practice:
- OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) connects a charger to the network that manages it. Using an open protocol means you can change network providers without replacing hardware. Federal minimum standards require OCPP 2.0.1 for NEVI-funded chargers.
- ISO 15118 is the vehicle-to-charger protocol behind “Plug & Charge”, where the vehicle authenticates itself without an app or card.