CCS1 vs. NACS
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
CCS Combo 1 (standardized under SAE J1772 and IEC 62196-3) combines the upper 5-pin J1772 AC inlet with two large dedicated DC power pins below into a single vehicle inlet. Enabling DC fast-charging up to 350 kW (500A @ 1000V DC) using High-Level Communication (HLC) over HomePlug Green PHY Power Line Communication (PLC).
SAE J3400 (originally designed by Tesla as the proprietary Tesla Connector and published in 2023 by SAE International as the North American Charging Standard / NACS) is an ultra-compact unified connector utilizing two primary conductors for both single-phase AC charging (up to 48A / 11.5 kW) and high-power DC fast charging (up to 1000V / 500A+ / 350+ kW). Adopted by virtually all major automakers across North America.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Standardization
|
SAE J1772 / IEC 62196-3 (Configuration FF) / ISO 15118 (Plug & Charge) | SAE J3400 / North American Charging Standard (NACS) |
|
Maximum DC Charging Rate
|
Up to 500 A continuous (liquid-cooled cables) at 200V to 1000V DC (up to 350 kW to 400 kW peak) | 1000 V DC, 500 A+ continuous (liquid-cooled V4 Superchargers capable of 350 kW to 600 kW+) |
|
Connector Architecture
|
Combo inlet: Upper J1772 socket (uses CP, PP, PE) + Lower 2-pin DC power bus (DC+ and DC-) | — |
|
Signaling / Communication Protocol
|
DIN 70121 / ISO 15118 via HomePlug Green PHY Power Line Communication (PLC) modulated onto Control Pilot pin | — |
|
Plug & Charge Automated Auth
|
ISO 15118 encrypted PKI certificate exchange handles automated billing without RFID cards or mobile apps | — |
|
DC Contactors
|
Dedicated vehicle high-voltage DC contactors bypass the onboard AC charger to feed battery pack directly | — |
|
Deployments
|
Electrify America, EVgo, Flo (North American DC fast-charging networks for non-Tesla EVs prior to J3400 transition) | — |
|
Pin Count & Configuration
|
— | 5 pins: 2 dual-purpose power conductors (L1/DC+ and L2/DC-), 1 Ground (GND), 1 Control Pilot (CP), 1 Digital Communication pin |
|
Form Factor Size
|
— | Approx. 50% the physical volume and weight of bulky CCS Combo 1 handles |
|
Maximum AC Charging Rate
|
— | 240 V / 48 A single-phase AC (11.5 kW home wall connector) or 277 V commercial AC (13.3 kW) |
|
Solid-State Multiplexing
|
— | Vehicle internal high-voltage contactors dynamically switch the dual pins between the onboard AC charger and the direct DC battery pack |
|
Industry Adoption
|
— | Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Honda, Volvo/Polestar, VW Group (native ports 2025+) |