CHAdeMO vs. NACS
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
CHAdeMO (standardized under JEVS G105 and IEC 62196-3, developed in Japan by TEPCO, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Subaru in 2010) is the pioneer DC fast-charging connector. Featuring a 10-pin circular plug with dedicated CAN-bus vehicle communication and full hardware-level Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) bi-directional power discharge capability.
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
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Standardization
|
JEVS G105 / IEC 62196-3 (Configuration AA) / IEEE 2030.1.1 | SAE J3400 / North American Charging Standard (NACS) |
|
Pin Count
|
10 pins: 2 heavy DC power pins (DC+ / DC-), 1 Ground, 2 CAN-bus data pins (CAN_H / CAN_L), 5 digital control lines | — |
|
Electrical Ratings (CHAdeMO 1.2 / 2.0)
|
CHAdeMO 1.2 (2017): up to 500V DC at 400A (200 kW peak) | CHAdeMO 2.0 (2018): up to 1,000V DC at 400A (400 kW peak) | — |
|
Communication Architecture
|
Direct Controller Area Network (CAN Bus @ 500 kbps) for ultra-reliable hardwired signaling | — |
|
V2G / V2H Bidirectional Power
|
Native hardware protocol allows the EV battery to power a household during blackout emergencies or export grid power | — |
|
Iconic Vehicles
|
Nissan Leaf (generations 1 & 2), Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Nissan e-NV200, Kia Soul EV (first gen) | — |
|
ChaoJi Next-Gen Evolution
|
CHAdeMO 3.0 / ChaoJi: unified China-Japan ultra-compact DC plug supporting up to 900 kW (1500V @ 600A) | — |
|
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 DC Charging Rate
|
— | 1000 V DC, 500 A+ continuous (liquid-cooled V4 Superchargers capable of 350 kW to 600 kW+) |
|
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+) |