# EV Plugs and Adapters: NACS, J1772, CCS Explained

By Gregory Wilson · Excerpt from Chapter 6 of *EV Curious?*

If you're coming from the gas-car world where every pump nozzle fits every car, the variety of EV plugs and adapters might seem unnecessarily complicated. The good news is that the industry has now converged on a single standard, and most of the variety you see today is just a transitional artifact that will fade over the next few years.

## NACS, J1772, and CCS

By 2026 there's really only one standard that matters going forward: **NACS**. New 2025 and 2026 Fords, GMs, Hyundais, Kias, Volvos, Polestars, Rivians, Lucids, and Mercedes-Benz models ship with a NACS port from the factory.

**J1772** is the older Level 1 and Level 2 connector — used for slow AC charging at home and at most public Level 2 stations. It's been the North American standard since 2009. Almost every public Level 2 charger you'll encounter today still uses J1772, and they will for years.

**CCS (Combined Charging System)** is the older DC fast charging standard for non-Tesla EVs. It's a J1772 plug with two extra DC pins below it. Most non-Tesla EVs sold between roughly 2018 and 2024 use a CCS port.

## Adapters that actually matter

**CCS to NACS** lets your CCS-equipped car plug into Tesla Superchargers. Your specific vehicle model needs to be on Tesla's approved list, and you can typically only use the newer V3 and some V2 stations. Some manufacturers provide the adapter free, others charge for it.

**J1772 to NACS** comes with every Tesla. It lets them charge at any J1772 Level 2 station.

**NACS to J1772** lets non-Tesla cars use Tesla destination chargers (Level 2, not Superchargers). Always check with the property owner before using.

**RV / campground adapters** provide 240V power through outlets like NEMA 14-50, giving you Level 2 speeds in remote locations. Note: many campgrounds are starting to forbid EV charging because the older 14-50 pedestals weren't wired for sustained continuous draw. Call ahead before you arrive.

## CHAdeMO

Mostly retired. If you have a pre-2018 Nissan Leaf, plan trips with PlugShare. For everyone else, this is historical trivia.

## What you actually need

- **Tesla:** NACS native; included adapter for J1772 Level 2.
- **Newer non-Tesla with NACS:** Supercharger access native (if your brand is supported); adapters needed for older CCS/J1772 chargers.
- **CCS-equipped EV:** Check if your manufacturer offers a Tesla Supercharger adapter. CCS for fast charging, J1772 for Level 2.

Be careful about third-party adapters — you're dealing with a lot of current and real heat. Stick with brand-recommended options or established brands like Lectron. Most EV owners need only one or two adapters total.

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This is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of *EV Curious? — What I Learned from Seven EVs* by Gregory Wilson.

- [Kindle — $9.99](https://a.co/d/gxrEPR0)
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## Related chapters

- [What driving an EV actually feels like](https://evcurious.blog/driving-an-ev/)
- [How regenerative braking works in an EV](https://evcurious.blog/regenerative-braking/)
- [Understanding EV efficiency: kWh/100mi vs miles/kWh vs MPGe](https://evcurious.blog/ev-efficiency-units/)
- [Busting the top 10 EV myths](https://evcurious.blog/ev-myths/)
- [How to plan your first EV road trip](https://evcurious.blog/ev-road-trip-planning/)