The Rise of NACS and the Challenge of CCS: Evolution of North American Charging Standards

APR 29,2025,By lan

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Introduction

Unlike the unified fuel nozzle for gasoline cars, EV charging standards vary by region and technology.  
As electric vehicles become more popular, standardization of charging is a key industry topic.  
In North America, NACS (North American Charging Standard) and CCS (Combined Charging System) are the main competitors.

1. The Journey of NACS
  • NACS started as a proprietary connector by Tesla.From the early 2010s to 2022, Tesla used its own connector.Newer Tesla cars also support CCS with a separate adapter.
  • In November 2022, Tesla renamed its connector to NACS. Tesla made the specifications public.NACS now supports the same signaling standard as CCS.
  • Automaker alliances accelerate NACS adoption.In 2023, Ford, GM, and Rivian announced they would use NACS on all future North American EVs.Starting in 2024, vehicles will include an adapter.From 2025, new models will have native NACS ports.
  • More brands join the NACS ecosystem.Companies like Aptera, BMW, Fisker, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Subaru, Toyota, and Volvo have signed on.Major charging networks and equipment suppliers, such as EVgo, FLO, ABB E-Mobility, and EverCharge, also support NACS.
  • NACS is now an international standard (SAE J3400). Hilton Worldwide will install 20,000 EVSEs at 2,000 properties in North America by 2025.

2. The Development of CCS
  • CCS is a versatile charging standard.It supports both AC and DC charging with one connector.There are two main versions: CCS1 and **CCS2**.
  • CCS enables high-power charging.This is essential for long-distance travel and efficient EV infrastructure.
  • CCS was introduced by seven automakers in 2012.Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, GM, Porsche, and Volkswagen led the way.By 2014, the EU required CCS2 for charging networks.
  • CCS networks grew quickly in the US.By 2016, major corridors on both coasts had CCS stations.
  • Federal funding in the US requires CCS support.To access $7.5 billion for charging networks, companies must support CCS.
  • Tesla owners need a CCS adapter and CCS protocol support to use CCS stations.Third-party NACS chargers (except Tesla Superchargers) also use the CCS protocol. Teslas built before 2021 do not support the CCS protocol by default.

3. Key Differences Between CCS and NACS
Feature NACS CCS
Market Adoption NACS (SAE J3400) is a fast charging standard developed by Tesla for North America. It offers faster charging and a streamlined experience. Many automakers are switching to NACS. CCS1 is used in North America. CCS2 is used in Europe and other regions. Both support fast charging and are widely adopted by global automakers.
Connector Design Integrated, slim, no moving parts. Supports AC and up to 1 MW DC charging. Half the size and lighter than CCS. Uses different pins for AC and DC. Larger and heavier design.
Compatibility Tesla owners can use the Supercharger network seamlessly. NACS is being adopted by other EV makers. Flexible and widely adopted by many automakers. Used in over 50 passenger vehicle models in the US.
Charging Power Superchargers peak at 250kW. NACS supports up to 1 MW DC charging (expandable). Most public fast chargers offer up to 350kW.
User Experience Tesla has over 29,000 NACS ports (57% of total). Users praise NACS for reliability, high performance, and compact design. CCS is supported by most major automakers. Public charging equipment has a higher failure rate than Tesla’s network.

Tesla NACS Connector

CCS1 and CCS2 Connector

4. Future Trends: Competition, Compatibility, and Regionalization
  • NACS is rapidly expanding.More automakers and charging operators are joining the NACS ecosystem.Tesla and Hilton are building a strong charging network.
  • Policy is driving NACS adoption.US infrastructure law requires federally funded chargers to support NACS.This accelerates the phase-out of CCS1 in North America.
  • CCS1 faces a survival crisis.As Tesla opens its Supercharger network, third-party operators are switching to NACS.New car models are less likely to use CCS1.
  • NACS has design and cost advantages.It is 50% smaller than CCS1, lighter, and cheaper.Automaker alliances give NACS a strong market position.
  • Public charging reliability matters.Public CCS equipment has higher failure rates.Users prefer the reliability of the NACS network.
  • The competition is about open vs. universal standards.Tesla is pushing NACS as the North American standard through openness and partnerships.CCS remains the global standard, especially in Europe, due to policy and legacy.
  • Regional differences will persist.In the short term, North America will favor NACS, while Europe and other regions will stick with CCS2.Over time, collaboration and technology may blur these boundaries, but regional competition will continue.