As nations (and individual states) back EVs, the number of EV charging stations has surged — and so has the need for more standards around charging on a more regional or national basis. In other words, if electric vehicle charging designs are not made to a specific standard, charging is either not going to happen, or differences in charging interfaces across regions will make it impossible to charge.
In this article, we will discuss the main differences between CCS and J1772, their respective advantages, and what they mean for electric vehicle users.
What is CCS charging?
CCS charging, which stands for Combined Charging System, is a widely-used fast-charging standard used by electric vehicles, and can be used to charge with both AC and DC from a single CCS connector. When comparing SAE J1772 vs CCS, this flexible system supports slow charging via AC, or rapid through DC if you need it.
The Combined Charging System used to charge electric vehicles uses CCS1 and CCS2 as its two primary variants. CCS1 is a rack of convenient couplings intended mainly for North America, it combines with the Type 1 AC connection and adds extra DC pins for more rapid charging. CCS2, which is the most common plug used in Europe and much of the rest of the world, adds the Type 2 AC connector with DC pins for increased charging rates.
What cars use CCS charger?
Here is a list of CCS1 (North America) or CCS2 (Europe and elsewhere) connector vehicles with fast, flexible charging.
- Tesla Model 3
- BMW i4
- Audi e-tron
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Kia EV6
What is a J1772 charger?
The J1772 (also known as SAE J1772) is a standard for an electric vehicle (EV) charging connector in North America. It is compatible with Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging (up to 240V). The J1772 standard features five pins for power delivery, communication and safety, making it a trusted workhorse of daily EV charging.
What cars use J1772 charger?
For those visiting from abroad, this is the North American standard AC charging J1772 connector, which works with most electric cars. Some cars using J1772 chargers for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging include:
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Nissan Leaf
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Tesla (with J1772 adapter)
- BMW i3
- Hyundai Kona Electric
- Kia Niro EV
- Toyota Prius Prime
Major Difference of CCS and J1772
Below I have listed a table. If you think about the difference between J1772 and CCS, you will understand intuitively.
| Feature | CCS (Combined Charging System) | J1772 (SAE J1772) |
| Charging Type | Supports both AC and DC charging | Primarily supports Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging |
| Connector Design | Combines J1772 AC connector with additional DC pins | Standard AC connector with 5 pins |
| Charging Speed | Enables faster DC charging (up to 350 kW) | Typically supports slower AC charging (up to 19.2 kW) |
| Use Cases | Ideal for fast charging stations and long-distance travel | Common for home and public charging stations |
| Compatibility | Used by various manufacturers, primarily in Europe and North America | Standard connector for many EVs in North America |
| Pin Configuration | Uses Type 1 or Type 2 for AC, with additional DC pins | Standardized 5-pin configuration for AC charging |
Conclusion
Difference Between CCS plug vs J1772 plug The CCS (Combined Charging System) plug has faster charging capabilities. J1772 is for AC charging only; CCS is AC + DC. If you want to ensure your vehicle will charge at any given station, knowing the difference between CCS and J1772 is a must for EV drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
People have different questions about SAE J1772 vs. CCS. To help you better understand J1772 and CCS, Luxman Energy have compiled a CCS vs. J1772 FAQ.
Is J1772 the same as CCS?
No. The J1772 (a.k.a. Type 1 for Level 1/2 charging) is the standard connector for North America but is best used for medium speed, Level 1 and 2 charging only. The J1772 standard is mainly configured for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging, with up to 19.2 kW charging rates and a 5-pin connector. In summary, while the CCS plug is an evolution of the J1772 by augmenting it with two more pins for DC charging (up to 350kW) to facilitate faster charging speed, the J1772 plug will max out around 19.2kW.
So, in comparing CCS vs J1772, it is easy to decipher that the J1772 standard is geared toward slower AC charging, while CCS addresses high-speed DC charging requirements.
Is J1772 a DC fast charger?
No, the J1772 is an AC Level 1 or Level 2 charger, not a DC fast charger. The J1772 standard encompasses AC charging up to 19.2 kW. The typical connector for DC fast charging is the CCS (combined charging system), which has additional pins that allow it to support much higher charging speeds.
Does the Tesla Model Y use the J1772?
Tesla does not use the J1772 connector as its main charging standard. Instead they have a proprietary connector like Type 2 and CCS 2 for their Supercharger network and home charging solutions.
Is J1772 a Type 2 charger?
No, J1772 is the North American standard for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging. The Type 2 Connector is also called the Mennekes connector as it is also typed a lot in Europe in AC chargers.
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