Understanding EV Connectors in the United States
Electric vehicles rely on several connector types, each shaped by different engineering standards, regional needs, and the evolution of the EV industry. This guide explains the major connectors used across the United States, how they originated, and which vehicles rely on them today.
SAE J1772 (Type 1)
The Original North American AC Standard
SAE J1772 was developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers to give North America a unified connector for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging. Before J1772, automakers used their own proprietary plugs, making charging inconsistent. J1772 solved that by creating a safe, universal connector for home and workplace charging.
Common vehicles using J1772 for AC charging include Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Lucid Air, BMW i3, and Rivian models. For more than a decade, nearly all non-Tesla EVs sold in the U.S. have included this connector for AC charging.
NACS / SAE J3400
The Connector That Became a Movement
Originally created by Tesla, this connector combined AC and DC charging into one elegant, compact plug. It became popular for its simplicity and ease of use, and in 2023 it was officially standardized by SAE as “SAE J3400,” commonly known as NACS — the North American Charging Standard.
All Tesla vehicles use this connector today, and beginning in 2025–2026, most major automakers will shift their U.S. vehicles to NACS as well.
CCS1 (Combined Charging System, Type 1)
Fast Charging for Most Non-Tesla EVs
CCS1 was created by a global coalition of automakers who wanted a fast charging standard that combined AC and DC charging into one vehicle inlet. By adding two high-power DC pins under the J1772 shape, CCS allowed vehicles to charge at both slow and fast speeds using a single port.
CCS1 is common on EVs from Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, GM, Mercedes, Rivian, Audi, and many others.
CHAdeMO
The First Major DC Fast Charging Standard
CHAdeMO was developed in Japan by TEPCO, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Fuji Heavy Industries. It became one of the world’s first wide-scale DC fast charging connectors and was associated mainly with the Nissan Leaf and a few other early EVs.
Although still supported at many stations, CHAdeMO has been steadily declining in North America as the industry shifts toward CCS1 and NACS.
Megawatt Charging System (MCS)
The Future of Heavy-Duty Electric Transport
MCS is a high-power connector created by CharIN for electric semi-trucks, buses, and commercial fleets. Designed for megawatt-level charging, MCS enables large electric vehicles to recharge quickly enough to support long-haul trucking and heavy commercial use.
It is now emerging as the primary future standard for electric freight vehicles.
The Road Ahead
The U.S. charging landscape is moving toward NACS as the dominant connector for passenger vehicles, while MCS is positioned to lead the commercial vehicle sector. J1772 and CCS1 will remain active during the transition, while CHAdeMO gradually phases out.
VoltiE’s mission is to support the full range of today’s connectors while preparing infrastructure and software for the next generation of EV charging standards.