Introduction:
As the electric vehicle (EV) revolution continues to gain momentum, the need for reliable and efficient charging solutions becomes increasingly important. There are a lot of variables that come into play with public charging, so it’s also important to understand the nuances of charging adapters and networks so you can have a stress-free charging experience.

Keep in mind, any purchased adapters should be compatible with your vehicle, be safety certified such as UL Listed, and should at a minimum be rated for the power level to be delivered by the station or accepted by the car. Check your vehicle owner’s manual or speak to a manufacturer representative to ensure compatibility.

Here we will breakdown the commonly used adapters when charging on the go!

Level 2 Charging – J1772-to-NACS or NACS-to-J1772:
J1772 is currently the standard connector for Level 2 charging and widely adopted by many EV manufacturers. Public charging stations and home chargers across North America typically feature J1772 plugs. If you own an EV made in 2024 or earlier other than a Tesla, chances are you’ll be using a North American Charging Standard (NACS) to J1772 for Level 2 charging at Tesla destination chargers.

Before embarking on a road trip or relying on public charging stations, Tesla owners should ensure they have the J1772-to-NACS adapter with them. This ensures compatibility with a broader range of charging infrastructure, providing flexibility and peace of mind. If using an adapter with their home charger, owners of EVs with the NACS port should consider purchasing a second adapter to keep with them for use at public chargers, while keeping the other at home.

Fast Charging – NACS-to-CCS or CCS-to-NACS:
Tesla originally developed its Supercharger network with proprietary charging connectors but is now opening many NACS-based Supercharging locations to EVs made by other manufacturers. Tesla vehicles come equipped with a unique plug design that fits directly into Tesla Supercharger stations. The vehicle communicates with the station and the network ensures the owner has an account established on Tesla’s app and bills the charging session directly.

Starting in 2025, many EV manufacturers will be switching to the NACS port for their EVs, and in the interim will offer NACS-to-Combined Charging Standard (CCS) adapters for their EVs that have CCS ports. Non-Tesla owners will be able to access the Tesla Superchargers via the Tesla smartphone app with the “Charge My Non-Tesla” function. Eventually, nearly all North American EVs will be able to use select Supercharger stations as well as other networks with the NACS connector.

Adapters for CCS-to-Tesla:
Tesla owners looking to utilize CCS fast charging infrastructure need a CCS-to-NACS adapter. This is available for purchase through the Tesla online store for Tesla owners. This adapter allows Tesla vehicles to connect to CCS chargers, broadening the charging options available to Tesla drivers.

Adapters for NACS-to-CCS:
For non-Tesla EV owners seeking to use select Superchargers open to CCS port EVs, or other fast chargers with NACS plugs, a NACS-to-CCS adapter is required. Ford was the first EV manufacturer to inform Ford branded EV owners that they would be receiving a free adapter as a first step to allowing those vehicles to charge at select Superchargers. 

Considerations for EV Owners:
Whether you own a Tesla or another brand of EV, having the right charging adapter and access to charging networks ensures you can harness the power of the growing EV infrastructure across the country.