What is the difference between Type 2 and CCS2?

Type 2 is the seven-pin AC connector used in Europe and many other regions. CCS2 (Combined Charging System, Combo 2) adds two large DC pins below the Type 2 shape, so the same car inlet accepts both AC (Type 2 plug) and DC (CCS2 plug).

Is NACS the same as the Tesla connector?

NACS (North American Charging Standard) is the connector Tesla developed, now standardised by SAE as J3400. It carries both AC and DC in one compact plug and is being adopted by most carmakers in North America.

Is CHAdeMO still used?

Yes, mainly for older Japanese vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, which remain common in some markets, notably New Zealand and among used imports. New vehicles in most regions use CCS or NACS, so CHAdeMO is usually a second connector at public DC sites.

Which connector should I choose for chargers in my country?

Follow the vehicles in your market: Type 2 and CCS2 for most of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa; J1772, CCS1 and NACS in North America; add CHAdeMO or GB/T where those vehicles are common. Our country guides list the connectors for each market.

Connectors & Protocols

EV Connector Types by Region: Type 1, Type 2, CCS1, CCS2, NACS, CHAdeMO and GB/T

The seven EV charging connectors and where each is used: Type 1, Type 2, CCS1, CCS2, NACS (J3400), CHAdeMO and GB/T, with a country table for buyers.

Prepared by: VULTAE Engineering Team
Published: October 18, 2026
Reading time: 3 min
Sources: 3 references

Key takeaways

1Seven connector families cover almost every EV: Type 1 (J1772) and Type 2 for AC; CCS1, CCS2, CHAdeMO and GB/T for DC; and NACS (SAE J3400) for both in North America.
2Region decides the choice: Type 2 + CCS2 in Europe, the UK, most of Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and much of Latin America; J1772 + CCS1 moving to NACS in North America; GB/T in China; CHAdeMO mainly for older Japanese models.
3Mixed markets — Mexico, New Zealand, parts of Southeast Asia and Latin America — need more than one DC connector at public sites.
4Order the connector for the vehicles your users actually drive, and make sure the certificates cover that exact connector configuration.

Several different EV charging plugs laid side by side with their cables

Contents

01The seven connectors
02By region
03NACS in North America
04Choosing connectors for a project
05Connectors on VULTAE chargers

Short answer: almost every EV uses one of seven connector families. AC: Type 1 (SAE J1772) and Type 2. DC: CCS1, CCS2, CHAdeMO and GB/T. Both: NACS (SAE J3400) in North America. The rule for buyers is simple — follow the vehicles in your market: Type 2 + CCS2 across Europe, most of Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa; J1772 + CCS1 moving to NACS in North America; GB/T in China; CHAdeMO for older Japanese cars. Mixed markets need more than one DC connector.

The seven connectors

Connector	Current	Standard	Where it is used
Type 1 (J1772)	AC, single-phase	SAE J1772 / IEC 62196-2	North America, older Japanese and Korean cars
Type 2	AC, single- or three-phase	IEC 62196-2	Europe, UK, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, much of Latin America
CCS1 (Combo 1)	DC (+ AC via Type 1)	IEC 62196-3, SAE J1772	North America, Korea
CCS2 (Combo 2)	DC (+ AC via Type 2)	IEC 62196-3	Europe, UK, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, much of Latin America
NACS	AC and DC in one plug	SAE J3400	North America — adopted by most carmakers
CHAdeMO	DC	IEC 62196-3, CHAdeMO protocol	Older Japanese models; second connector in some markets
GB/T	AC and DC (separate plugs)	GB/T 20234	China; some Chinese-brand exports

CCS is the clever part of the family: the car has one inlet that accepts the AC plug (Type 1 or Type 2) and, with two extra DC pins, the DC plug.

By region

Region	AC	DC	Notes
EU and UK	Type 2	CCS2	Required for public charging in the EU
North America	J1772, NACS	CCS1, NACS	Most carmakers moving to NACS ports; adapters bridge the transition
Middle East	Type 2	CCS2 (some CHAdeMO, GB/T)	See UAE and Saudi Arabia
Southeast Asia	Type 2	CCS2 (some CHAdeMO)	See Malaysia, Thailand
Australia	Type 2	CCS2	See Australia
New Zealand	Type 2	CCS2 + CHAdeMO	Many imported used Nissan Leafs — see New Zealand
Mexico	J1772, NACS	CCS1, NACS, GB/T	Mixed — see Mexico
Chile	Type 2	CCS2 (CHAdeMO, GB/T for buses)	See Chile
South Africa	Type 2	CCS2	See South Africa
China	GB/T	GB/T	Domestic standard

NACS in North America

Tesla’s connector was opened as the North American Charging Standard and standardised by SAE as J3400. The family now includes J3400/1 for adapters and J3400/2 for connectors and inlets, which supports up to 1,000 V. Most carmakers selling in North America have moved or are moving their cars to NACS ports. For operators that means dual-connector chargers with CCS1 + NACS for the transition — see NACS (SAE J3400) chargers.

Choosing connectors for a project

List the vehicles your users drive, now and in five years.
Public DC sites: one connector type per cabinet side; dual-connector cabinets can mix (CCS2 + CHAdeMO, CCS1 + NACS).
Fleets: match the fleet’s vehicles exactly; check inlet position for cable reach.
AC: tethered cable with the market’s connector, or a Type 2 socket so drivers use their own cable (common in Europe).
Certificates: confirm they cover the exact connector configuration you order — see verify a certificate.
Cables and adapters: plan spares and, where allowed, adapters — see cables and adapters.

Connectors on VULTAE chargers

Series	Connectors
VT-HW wallbox	Type 2 socket or cable (IEC); J1772 cable (North America)
VT-CW / VT-CP dual-port AC	Type 2
VT-DW DC wallbox	CCS2 or CCS1; CHAdeMO, NACS and GB/T options
VT-DFC compact DC	CCS2 + CCS2 or CCS2 + CHAdeMO
VT-DF DC fast charger	CCS2 + CCS2 / CHAdeMO (IEC); CCS1, NACS and CHAdeMO options (North America)

For the full picture of connectors and communication protocols, see EV charging connectors and protocols.

Questions buyers ask

What is the difference between Type 2 and CCS2?: Type 2 is the seven-pin AC connector used in Europe and many other regions. CCS2 (Combined Charging System, Combo 2) adds two large DC pins below the Type 2 shape, so the same car inlet accepts both AC (Type 2 plug) and DC (CCS2 plug).
Is NACS the same as the Tesla connector?: NACS (North American Charging Standard) is the connector Tesla developed, now standardised by SAE as J3400. It carries both AC and DC in one compact plug and is being adopted by most carmakers in North America.
Is CHAdeMO still used?: Yes, mainly for older Japanese vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, which remain common in some markets, notably New Zealand and among used imports. New vehicles in most regions use CCS or NACS, so CHAdeMO is usually a second connector at public DC sites.
Which connector should I choose for chargers in my country?: Follow the vehicles in your market: Type 2 and CCS2 for most of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa; J1772, CCS1 and NACS in North America; add CHAdeMO or GB/T where those vehicles are common. Our country guides list the connectors for each market.