SAE Combo Charger (CCS): What It Is and How It Works

Key Takeaways:

• CCS1 is currently the most widely supported DC fast charging connector for non-Tesla EVs in North America.

• Tesla NACS (SAE J3400) is gaining ground and will be standard on many future EVs, but CCS will remain in use for years due to existing vehicle fleets and charging stations.

• J1772 is still the standard for home charging (Level 1 & 2 AC), even on EVs equipped with a CCS port.

• CHAdeMO is being phased out in favor of CCS and NACS in the U.S.

Charging Speed: How Fast Is CCS?

SAE Combo (CCS) is designed for DC fast charging, enabling some of the fastest charging speeds available for electric vehicles (EVs) today, reaching up to 350 kw of power. While the upper J1772 portion of the combo plug is used for home and workplace AC charging, the two additional DC pins activate only when connected to DC fast charging stations.

CCS Charging Speeds at Public Stations

• DC fast chargers via CCS can deliver anywhere from 50 kW to 350 kW, depending on the charging station and the vehicle's onboard capabilities.

• At higher outputs (150–350 kW), CCS can add up to 100–200 miles of range in just 15–30 minutes — ideal for road trips or rapid top-ups.

• Most public EV charging stations offering CCS are located along major highways, urban centers, and commercial hubs.

• The availability of charging stations at workplaces, shopping centers, and hotels plays a key role in normalizing EV use and expanding market adoption.

⚠️ Note: Only EVs equipped to handle high DC input will benefit from 150–350 kW charging speeds. Charging speed may also slow as the battery nears full.

CCS Compatibility Across EV Models

Most EV models sold in North America today come with a CCS1 charging port, including vehicles from:

• Ford (Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning)

• General Motors (Chevy Bolt EUV, Silverado EV)

• Volkswagen Group (VW ID.4, Audi e-tron)

• Hyundai/Kia (Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6)

• BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and more

Charging port of a Ford Mustang Mach-E

Tesla vehicles use a proprietary plug (now known as NACS), but many Tesla drivers use EV adapters to access DC fast charging stations across North America.

In the same way, non-Tesla EV owners can use CCS-to-NACS or J1772-to-Tesla adapter to tap into Tesla's growing Supercharger network, as the industry moves toward connector unification. Many workplaces even offer free charging as an employee benefit, with some employers covering the cost of electricity entirely.

The Rise of SAE J3400 (NACS) and What It Means for CCS

As EV adoption accelerates, the industry is now facing a major shift in charging connector standards. In late 2023, SAE International officially standardized Tesla’s proprietary connector as SAE J3400, now referred to as the North American Charging Standard (NACS).

What Is SAE J3400?

SAE J3400 is a compact charging connector that supports both AC and DC fast charging through a single streamlined interface—unlike CCS, which separates AC and DC pins. Tesla drivers have used this plug for years, and it’s now being embraced as a potential industry-wide standard.

Automaker Adoption

A growing list of major vehicle manufacturers has announced their commitment to switching from CCS to NACS by 2025, including:

• Ford

• GM

• Rivian

• Hyundai/Kia

• Mercedes-Benz

• Honda

• Volvo

This signals a long-term shift toward standardizing NACS across future EV models sold in North America.

What Happens to CCS?

A Mustang Mach-E charging at a Supercharger via a NACS adapter.

The adoption of SAE J3400 doesn’t mean SAE Combo (CCS) is going away immediately:

• Millions of current EVs still use CCS1 ports.

• Public charging infrastructure across the U.S. remains heavily CCS-based.

• Adapters will bridge the gap between NACS and CCS for years to come.

In the short term, charging stations will likely offer both NACS and CCS connectors—or universal ports—to serve all EV owners.

Charging Stations That Support CCS

Nearly all modern DC fast charging stations across the U.S. and Canada are equipped with CCS connectors, making it one of the most accessible charging options for non-Tesla EV drivers. Major networks that support CCS include:

• Electrify America

• EVgo

• ChargePoint

• Blink Charging

• Shell Recharge

• Volta, and others

Most public EV charging stations now offer both CCS and J1772 connectors to serve a wide range of vehicles, ensuring compatibility for both AC and DC charging. As of 2023, around 80% of public EV charging ports in the U.S. are Level 2 (AC), while more than 20% support DC fast charging technologies like CCS.

Federal and state investments—especially through programs like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) initiative—are accelerating the deployment of CCS-compatible infrastructure nationwide. CCS remains a central focus in these buildout plans due to its broad automaker support and dual AC/DC capabilities.

In addition, some regional and federal programs offer financial incentives to employers who install EV charging infrastructure at workplaces. This not only supports employee convenience but also contributes to greater EV adoption overall.

SAE Combo Charger vs. Other Connector Types

Let’s quickly recap how SAE Combo (CCS) compares to other common charging connector types used in electric vehicles (EVs):

• J1772 chargers: Excellent for home and workplace AC charging, but limited to Level 1 and Level 2 speeds.

• CHAdeMO: Early DC charging solution, still used by a few vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, but declining in North America.

• Tesla NACS: Fast and compact, but mostly exclusive to Tesla vehicles unless you have an adapter.

• SAE Combo (CCS): Supports all charging levels (AC and DC) and is backed by most EV manufacturers and charging networks.

Ready to make charging simpler?
🔌 Explore our EV chargers and adapters designed for CCS, J1772, and NACS compatibility.

Still have questions?
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FAQs

• What is the SAE Combo (CCS) charger?

  The SAE Combo charger, or CCS, combines the J1772 AC plug with two DC pins to enable both AC and DC charging through one port for electric cars. It's used by most non-Tesla electric vehicles in North America for rapid DC fast charging at public stations, supporting speeds up to 350 kW.

• Can I use CCS for home charging?

  No. CCS is designed for DC fast charging only. For home charging, electric vehicles use the J1772 portion of the CCS port, which delivers AC power through Level 1 EV chargers (120V) or Level 2 (240V) charging. The DC pins are inactive at home and only function at public charging stations. If you're installing a Level 2 home charger, check for local, state, or federal incentives that may reduce upfront costs.

• How fast is CCS charging?

  CCS supports fast charging speeds from 50 kW to 350 kW, depending on the EV model and charger. That’s enough to add up to 200 miles of range in about 15–30 minutes. Charging speed slows as the battery fills and may vary with temperature and battery capacity.

• What EVs use CCS?

  Most non-Tesla electric vehicles in North America use the CCS (SAE Combo) connector. This includes models from Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, BMW, and others. CCS1 is used in North America, while CCS2 is the European variant based on the Mennekes (Type 2) plug.

• Is CCS being replaced by NACS?

  Yes, gradually. Tesla’s NACS plug was standardized as SAE J3400 in 2023, and many automakers plan to adopt it by 2025. Still, millions of EVs use CCS, and most charging stations continue to support it. Adapters will help maintain compatibility during the transition between CCS and NACS.

• Is J1772 the same as CCS?

  Not quite. J1772 is used for AC charging at home or work. CCS builds on the J1772 plug by adding two DC pins below, allowing the same port to support fast DC charging at public stations with appropriate charging equipment. So while they share the same shape, only CCS supports DC charging. Add the fact that Level 1 charging adds about 2–4 miles per hour, equating to roughly 40 miles of range overnight (8 hours).