{
  "meta": {
    "site": "PlugJunction",
    "title": "EV Plug & Adapter Reference",
    "purpose": "A plain-English reference for North American EV charging connectors, the adapters that bridge them, and which plug each car brand uses through the NACS transition.",
    "region": "North America",
    "lastReviewed": "2026-09-01",
    "editor": "The PlugJunction Editorial Team",
    "contact": "editor@plugjunction.com",
    "sources": [
      "SAE International standards (J1772, J3400/NACS, CCS)",
      "Manufacturer charging documentation (Tesla, Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan)",
      "Public charging network specifications (Tesla Supercharger, Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint)"
    ],
    "disclaimer": "Connector and adapter compatibility can depend on your specific vehicle, model year, and a required software update. Always confirm with your automaker before charging."
  },
  "connectors": [
    {
      "slug": "nacs",
      "name": "NACS (J3400)",
      "aka": [
        "North American Charging Standard",
        "Tesla connector",
        "SAE J3400"
      ],
      "current": [
        "AC",
        "DC"
      ],
      "levels": [
        "Level 1",
        "Level 2",
        "DC fast"
      ],
      "maxPowerKw": 250,
      "maxVoltage": 1000,
      "status": "dominant",
      "region": "North America",
      "summary": "The North American Charging Standard, standardized by SAE as J3400. Physically the connector Tesla used for years, now adopted by nearly every automaker for the North American market. A single pair of pins carries both AC (Level 1/2) and DC fast charging, which is why the plug is smaller and lighter than CCS1.",
      "usedByPortNative": [
        "tesla"
      ],
      "notes": "From the 2025 model year onward most new EVs in North America ship with a native NACS port. Older CCS1 cars reach NACS chargers (like Tesla Superchargers) with a NACS-to-CCS1 adapter."
    },
    {
      "slug": "ccs1",
      "name": "CCS1 (Combined Charging System)",
      "aka": [
        "CCS Combo 1",
        "SAE J1772 Combo",
        "CCS Type 1"
      ],
      "current": [
        "AC",
        "DC"
      ],
      "levels": [
        "Level 1",
        "Level 2",
        "DC fast"
      ],
      "maxPowerKw": 350,
      "maxVoltage": 1000,
      "status": "legacy-transitioning",
      "region": "North America",
      "summary": "The Combined Charging System combines a J1772 AC port on top with two large DC pins below. It was the DC fast-charging standard for non-Tesla EVs in North America and still appears on millions of cars sold through the mid-2020s. It is being phased out in favor of NACS.",
      "usedByPortNative": [
        "ford-legacy",
        "gm-legacy",
        "rivian-legacy",
        "hyundai-legacy",
        "vw",
        "bmw",
        "mercedes"
      ],
      "notes": "A CCS1 car can charge at a Tesla/NACS station with a NACS-to-CCS1 adapter, and at older CCS1 stations natively."
    },
    {
      "slug": "j1772",
      "name": "J1772 (Type 1)",
      "aka": [
        "SAE J1772",
        "Type 1",
        "J-plug"
      ],
      "current": [
        "AC"
      ],
      "levels": [
        "Level 1",
        "Level 2"
      ],
      "maxPowerKw": 19.2,
      "maxVoltage": 240,
      "status": "universal-ac",
      "region": "North America",
      "summary": "The standard AC (Level 1 and Level 2) connector for non-Tesla EVs in North America, and the top half of a CCS1 plug. It does not do DC fast charging. Most public Level 2 chargers and home wall boxes use a J1772 handle.",
      "usedByPortNative": [],
      "notes": "A Tesla/NACS car uses a J1772-to-NACS adapter (included with the car) to charge at any J1772 station."
    },
    {
      "slug": "chademo",
      "name": "CHAdeMO",
      "aka": [
        "CHAdeMO DC"
      ],
      "current": [
        "DC"
      ],
      "levels": [
        "DC fast"
      ],
      "maxPowerKw": 62.5,
      "maxVoltage": 500,
      "status": "retired",
      "region": "North America",
      "summary": "An early Japanese DC fast-charging standard. In North America it is effectively retired — the first-generation Nissan Leaf was the main car that used it. New EVs do not ship with CHAdeMO, and networks are removing the connectors.",
      "usedByPortNative": [
        "nissan-leaf-legacy"
      ],
      "notes": "Tesla once sold a CHAdeMO adapter so Tesla cars could use CHAdeMO stations; it is discontinued."
    },
    {
      "slug": "nema-14-50",
      "name": "NEMA 14-50 (240V outlet)",
      "aka": [
        "14-50 outlet",
        "240V outlet",
        "dryer-style outlet"
      ],
      "current": [
        "AC"
      ],
      "levels": [
        "Level 2"
      ],
      "maxPowerKw": 9.6,
      "maxVoltage": 240,
      "status": "home",
      "region": "North America",
      "summary": "A 240-volt household outlet (the same style used for electric ranges) frequently installed in garages for Level 2 home charging. It is a wall outlet, not a car connector — you plug a mobile connector or EVSE into it, and that cable ends in J1772 or NACS for the car.",
      "usedByPortNative": [],
      "notes": "On a 50A circuit a 14-50 delivers up to ~9.6 kW of continuous charging (limited to 40A draw by code)."
    },
    {
      "slug": "nema-5-15",
      "name": "NEMA 5-15 (120V outlet)",
      "aka": [
        "5-15 outlet",
        "standard wall outlet",
        "120V outlet"
      ],
      "current": [
        "AC"
      ],
      "levels": [
        "Level 1"
      ],
      "maxPowerKw": 1.4,
      "maxVoltage": 120,
      "status": "home",
      "region": "North America",
      "summary": "The standard 120-volt household outlet. Plugging in here is Level 1 charging — slow (roughly 3–5 miles of range per hour) but requires no installation. Every EV comes with a mobile connector that works with a 5-15 outlet.",
      "usedByPortNative": [],
      "notes": "Fine for plug-in hybrids and low-mileage days; too slow as a primary source for most full EVs."
    },
    {
      "slug": "type2",
      "name": "Type 2 (Mennekes) — not used in North America",
      "aka": [
        "IEC 62196 Type 2",
        "Mennekes"
      ],
      "current": [
        "AC",
        "DC"
      ],
      "levels": [
        "Level 2",
        "DC fast"
      ],
      "maxPowerKw": 350,
      "maxVoltage": 1000,
      "status": "non-na",
      "region": "Europe",
      "summary": "The European AC standard (and, as CCS2, the European DC standard). Included here only for disambiguation: Type 2 and CCS2 are Europe/rest-of-world plugs. Cars and chargers in North America do not use them.",
      "usedByPortNative": [],
      "notes": "If a listing mentions Type 2 for a North American car, it is almost certainly an import spec that does not apply to the US/Canada."
    }
  ],
  "adapters": [
    {
      "slug": "nacs-to-ccs1",
      "name": "NACS to CCS1 adapter",
      "from": "nacs",
      "to": "ccs1",
      "letsYou": "Charge a CCS1 car at a NACS station (for example, a Tesla Supercharger).",
      "carPort": "ccs1",
      "stationConnector": "nacs",
      "power": "DC fast",
      "commonUse": "A Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai or Kia EV with a CCS1 port using Tesla's Supercharger network.",
      "cautions": "The car usually needs a software update and network account/approval to charge at Superchargers. Use a UL 2252-certified adapter.",
      "certification": "UL 2252"
    },
    {
      "slug": "ccs1-to-nacs",
      "name": "CCS1 to NACS adapter",
      "from": "ccs1",
      "to": "nacs",
      "letsYou": "Charge a NACS (Tesla) car at a CCS1 DC fast charger.",
      "carPort": "nacs",
      "stationConnector": "ccs1",
      "power": "DC fast",
      "commonUse": "A Tesla using a non-Tesla DC network such as Electrify America or EVgo.",
      "cautions": "Tesla sells an official 'CCS Combo 1 Adapter'. Some early Tesla vehicles needed a retrofit to be compatible — check your VIN.",
      "certification": "manufacturer"
    },
    {
      "slug": "j1772-to-nacs",
      "name": "J1772 to NACS (Tesla) adapter",
      "from": "j1772",
      "to": "nacs",
      "letsYou": "Charge a NACS (Tesla) car at a J1772 Level 2 AC station.",
      "carPort": "nacs",
      "stationConnector": "j1772",
      "power": "Level 2 AC",
      "commonUse": "A Tesla at a workplace, hotel, or public J1772 wall box. Tesla includes this adapter with the car.",
      "cautions": "AC only — this does not enable DC fast charging.",
      "certification": "manufacturer"
    },
    {
      "slug": "nacs-to-j1772",
      "name": "NACS (Tesla) to J1772 adapter",
      "from": "nacs",
      "to": "j1772",
      "letsYou": "Charge a J1772 car from a Tesla AC connector (a Tesla Wall Connector, Destination charger, or Mobile Connector).",
      "carPort": "j1772",
      "stationConnector": "nacs",
      "power": "Level 2 AC",
      "commonUse": "A non-Tesla EV charging from a home Tesla Wall Connector or at a Tesla Destination charger.",
      "cautions": "AC only. Does NOT work at Tesla Superchargers (those are DC). Use a certified adapter (for example, UL 2251).",
      "certification": "UL 2251"
    },
    {
      "slug": "chademo-to-nacs",
      "name": "CHAdeMO to NACS (Tesla) adapter",
      "from": "chademo",
      "to": "nacs",
      "letsYou": "Charge a NACS (Tesla) car at a legacy CHAdeMO DC station.",
      "carPort": "nacs",
      "stationConnector": "chademo",
      "power": "DC fast",
      "commonUse": "Rare today. Tesla's CHAdeMO adapter is discontinued; CHAdeMO stations are being removed.",
      "cautions": "Legacy only. Do not buy new for this purpose — CHAdeMO coverage is disappearing.",
      "certification": "manufacturer"
    }
  ],
  "brands": [
    {
      "slug": "tesla",
      "name": "Tesla",
      "nativePort": "nacs",
      "transition": "native",
      "summary": "Every Tesla uses the NACS port. Teslas charge natively at Superchargers and, with an included J1772 adapter, at any J1772 Level 2 station. For non-Tesla DC networks (Electrify America, EVgo) a Tesla uses Tesla's CCS Combo 1 adapter.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "j1772-to-nacs",
        "ccs1-to-nacs"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "ford",
      "name": "Ford",
      "nativePort": "nacs-2025",
      "transition": "adapter-then-native",
      "summary": "Ford EVs (Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning) launched with CCS1. Ford was the first legacy automaker to gain Tesla Supercharger access, via a free NACS-to-CCS1 adapter starting in 2024. Model-year 2025 and newer Fords ship with a native NACS port.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "nacs-to-ccs1"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "gm",
      "name": "GM (Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC)",
      "nativePort": "nacs-2025",
      "transition": "adapter-then-native",
      "summary": "GM's Ultium EVs launched with CCS1 and gained Supercharger access through a NACS-to-CCS1 adapter in 2024. Newer model-year vehicles are moving to a native NACS port.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "nacs-to-ccs1"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "rivian",
      "name": "Rivian",
      "nativePort": "nacs-2025",
      "transition": "adapter-then-native",
      "summary": "Rivian R1T/R1S launched with CCS1 and added Supercharger access via a NACS adapter. Newer Rivians are shipping with a native NACS port.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "nacs-to-ccs1"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "hyundai",
      "name": "Hyundai",
      "nativePort": "nacs-2025",
      "transition": "adapter-then-native",
      "summary": "Hyundai's E-GMP cars (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6) launched with CCS1. Hyundai adopted NACS with adapter access and began shipping native-NACS vehicles (including the North American Ioniq 5) from the 2025 model year.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "nacs-to-ccs1"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "kia",
      "name": "Kia",
      "nativePort": "nacs-2025",
      "transition": "adapter-then-native",
      "summary": "Kia (EV6, EV9) shares Hyundai's E-GMP platform and follows the same path: CCS1 at launch, NACS adapter access, then native NACS ports on newer model years.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "nacs-to-ccs1"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "nissan",
      "name": "Nissan",
      "nativePort": "mixed",
      "transition": "chademo-legacy-to-nacs",
      "summary": "Nissan is the North American oddball. The older Leaf used CHAdeMO for DC fast charging — now a retired standard. The Ariya uses CCS1. Nissan has committed to NACS on newer vehicles.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "nacs-to-ccs1"
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "vw-group",
      "name": "Volkswagen Group (VW, Audi, Porsche)",
      "nativePort": "ccs1",
      "transition": "announced",
      "summary": "VW, Audi, and Porsche EVs in North America use CCS1 and have announced NACS adoption on future vehicles, with adapter access to Superchargers in the interim.",
      "adaptersTypicallyNeeded": [
        "nacs-to-ccs1"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "networks": [
    {
      "slug": "tesla-supercharger",
      "name": "Tesla Supercharger",
      "connector": "nacs",
      "power": "DC fast",
      "summary": "Tesla's DC fast-charging network, built around the NACS connector. Increasingly open to non-Tesla cars, which connect either natively (NACS port) or with a NACS-to-CCS1 adapter."
    },
    {
      "slug": "electrify-america",
      "name": "Electrify America",
      "connector": "ccs1",
      "alsoAdding": "nacs",
      "power": "DC fast",
      "summary": "A major non-Tesla DC network. Stations use CCS1 (and some legacy CHAdeMO), with NACS connectors being added."
    },
    {
      "slug": "evgo",
      "name": "EVgo",
      "connector": "ccs1",
      "alsoAdding": "nacs",
      "power": "DC fast",
      "summary": "A non-Tesla DC network with CCS1 and legacy CHAdeMO, adding NACS connectors across sites."
    },
    {
      "slug": "chargepoint",
      "name": "ChargePoint",
      "connector": "j1772",
      "alsoOffers": "ccs1",
      "power": "Level 2 AC and DC fast",
      "summary": "The largest network of Level 2 AC stations (J1772 handles), plus some DC fast chargers (CCS1). Common at workplaces, retail, and municipal lots."
    }
  ]
}