CCS1 vs CCS2 vs GB/T vs NACS: Which EV Charging Connector Do You Need?

If you are specifying EV charging stations for a market you do not know well, the connector decision is the one that causes the most confusion — and the most expensive mistakes. A charger with the wrong plug is not a charger; it is a very expensive paperweight.

This guide compares the four connector standards that matter in 2026 and explains how to match them to your market, your vehicles and your hardware.

Why Connector Standards Exist

An EV charging connector is a standardized plug that carries both power and communication between the charger and the vehicle. The communication part is what makes a charging session possible at all: before any current flows, the vehicle and the charger agree on how much power the battery can accept right now.

Because that handshake is standardized region by region, a charger built for one market cannot simply be re-labelled for another. The connector, the cable, the communication protocol and the safety certification all travel together.

CCS1 (Combo 1) — North America

CCS1 combines a Type 1 AC plug with two DC pins below it, which is why it is often called "Combo 1". It is the standard DC fast-charging connector in the United States, Canada and South Korea.

• Where: North America, South Korea.
• Typical DC power: up to roughly 350 kW on the newest hardware, commonly 50–150 kW in the field.
• Note: the North American market is transitioning to NACS (see below), so CCS1 coverage is expected to coexist with NACS for years. Dual-standard chargers are a common specification.

CCS2 (Combo 2) — Europe and Beyond

CCS2 pairs a Type 2 AC inlet with two DC pins. It is the mandatory DC fast-charging standard across the European Union and has been adopted by most of the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia-Pacific and Australia.

• Where: European Union, UK, Middle East, Australia, and much of the global south.
• Typical DC power: up to 350 kW with liquid-cooled cables; 60–150 kW is the mainstream installed base.
• Why it dominates: the three-phase AC support of Type 2 (up to 22 kW and beyond) plus a proven DC fast-charge path made it the default choice for new markets drafting their first charging regulations.

GB/T — Mainland China

GB/T is the Chinese national standard. For DC fast charging it uses a distinct nine-pin connector defined by the GB/T 20234 series of standards.

• Where: mainland China, and export projects built around Chinese vehicle platforms.
• Typical DC power: the 2015 version of the standard supports up to roughly 250 A; the newer ChaoJi standard is designed for much higher power and backward compatibility.
• Export note: if you manufacture vehicles or charging hardware in China for overseas markets, the GB/T port is usually replaced with the destination market’s standard — this is a configuration decision, not an aftermarket retrofit.

NACS — The North American Shift

NACS (North American Charging Standard) originated as Tesla’s proprietary connector and has since been adopted by a growing list of automakers. It is smaller than CCS1 and supports both AC and DC charging through a single compact plug.

• Where: North America, increasingly.
• Why it matters: adapters have largely solved compatibility, but for new public infrastructure many operators now specify CCS1 + NACS dual-connector pedestals to serve both installed bases.
• Specification tip: confirm that the NACS inlet is certified to the same safety standards as the CCS1 side — the standardization work is recent enough that not every supplier has completed it.

CHAdeMO — Legacy but Not Gone

CHAdeMO is the original Japanese DC fast-charging standard, still present on older Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles and on some bus and truck platforms. New passenger-vehicle models have largely moved away from it, but retrofit and fleet projects still encounter it. Many dual-gun stations pair CCS2 or CCS1 with a CHAdeMO gun precisely for this reason.

Quick Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a CCS2 charger charge a CCS1 vehicle?

No. The two connectors are physically and electrically different. Adapters exist but are subject to local regulation and are not a substitute for specifying the correct connector in the first place.

Which connector should I choose for a new public charging site?

Follow the vehicles, not the headlines. In Europe, the Middle East, Australia and most of Asia, that means CCS2. In North America, most operators now install CCS1 with a NACS option on the same pedestal.

Does the connector affect charging speed?

Indirectly, yes. The connector and its cable determine how much continuous current the hardware can carry safely. At very high power, liquid-cooled cables become necessary regardless of connector type.

Are GB/T and CCS compatible?

No. They use different pins, different communication protocols and different safety architectures. Vehicles built for one standard cannot use the other without an adapter that is generally not approved for public use.

Specifying Connectors with Your Supplier

When you request a quotation, state three things explicitly: the destination market, the vehicle mix you expect to serve, and whether you need single or dual guns. A manufacturer with a full connector portfolio can then propose the right configuration — and, importantly, ship the correct certified cable for your market.

Wuxi Bestar Technology manufactures DC fast charging stations with CCS1, CCS2, GB/T and NACS connector options for export projects worldwide. For a configuration recommendation, send us your market and vehicle mix.

Read next: our DC fast charging station buyer’s guide covers power classes, cooling and site planning, and our guide to OCPP compliance explains the software side.