The numbers at a glance.
Pins, peak power, voltage range, and how many regions actually rolled this connector out.
What the plug actually looks like.
The mechanical design, pin layout, and the names this connector goes by in the wild.
Large, round DC-only connector. Vehicles with CHAdeMO need a separate Type 1 or Type 2 port for AC charging
Also known as: CHAdeMO
How fast it actually delivers.
Theoretical peaks vs. what you'll see at most public stations.
Regions running on CHAdeMO.
Geographies that adopted this standard, and the brands shipping cars with it from the factory.
Nissan (Leaf), Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota (early EVs)
How we got this connector.
The standards bodies, automakers, and political fights that shaped it.
CHAdeMO was the world's first widely deployed DC fast charging standard, established in March 2010 by TEPCO, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Toyota. The name is a pun on the Japanese phrase 'o cha demo ikaga desuka' (how about some tea?), suggesting the charging time. It grew rapidly from 2010 to 2018 and was once the dominant DC standard globally.
Where CHAdeMO stands today.
Declining everywhere except Japan. Electrify America stopped installing new CHAdeMO connectors in January 2022. The Nissan Leaf was the last CHAdeMO EV sold in North America. Even Japanese automakers are announcing NACS adoption for Japan starting 2026-2027. Japan still has about 12,600 CHAdeMO chargers, but the standard is effectively legacy. The next-generation ChaoJi standard (CHAdeMO 3.0 + China's GB/T) may extend its life in Asia.
What every NACS driver actually deals with.
CHAdeMO was the first widely-deployed DC fast-charging standard in the world. It dominated globally from 2010 to roughly 2018, then lost the standards war to CCS — except in Japan, where ~12,600 chargers remain in service. With Japanese automakers (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) announcing NACS adoption for Japan from 2026–2027, CHAdeMO's last stronghold has a clock on it. Here's the story, where it still matters, and what to expect if you encounter one on a road trip.
Where you'll still find CHAdeMO.
The standard isn't dead — just regional and shrinking. If you're driving a 2018-era EV or traveling in Japan, here's the practical map.
How CHAdeMO got its name and lost the war.
CHAdeMO was established in March 2010 by TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power), Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Toyota — Japan's industrial consensus on a single fast-charging standard. The name is a Japanese pun: "o cha demo ikaga desuka?" — "how about a cup of tea?" — suggesting that charging takes about as long as a tea break. It became the world's first widely-deployed DC fast-charging standard.
From 2010 through roughly 2018, CHAdeMO was the global default. Every Nissan Leaf had a port. Public DC chargers in Europe, North America, and Asia overwhelmingly used it. Then CCS overtook — and the structural reason was the connector design itself. CHAdeMO is DC-only and requires a separate AC port on the vehicle, so EVs needed two different ports for AC home charging and DC fast charging. CCS, with its single combined connector, was just simpler.
Electrify America stopped installing new CHAdeMO connectors in January 2022. The Nissan Leaf — the last mass-market CHAdeMO car sold in North America — went out of production in 2025. The standard is now effectively legacy outside Japan.
“Even Japan is leaving CHAdeMO. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan committed to NACS for the Japanese market from 2026–2027.”
The Stellantis announcement in November 2025 also extended NACS commitments to Japan and South Korea. Combined with Toyota's earlier NACS adoption announcement, the Japanese domestic auto industry is essentially abandoning CHAdeMO for new vehicles. Existing CHAdeMO chargers will remain operational for years — Japan has too many Leaf and i-MiEV vehicles still on the road to retire the network — but new installations will trend toward NACS through 2027 and beyond.
Things travelers actually trip on.
What this means if you're abroad.
Practical advice for crossing borders with an EV — what works, what won't, and what to bring.
“If you encounter a CHAdeMO charger while traveling, it is likely at an older charging station. Most modern EVs do not have CHAdeMO ports. In Japan, CHAdeMO remains common but is being supplemented by newer standards.”
Questions readers actually ask.
The three things people Google about this connector — answered without the marketing spin.
What is CHAdeMO?Open
CHAdeMO is a DC only (requires separate AC port) EV charging connector with 9 pins. Large, round DC-only connector. Vehicles with CHAdeMO need a separate Type 1 or Type 2 port for AC charging. It supports up to 400 kW (CHAdeMO 2.0), 900 kW (CHAdeMO 3.0/ChaoJi).
Which countries use CHAdeMO?Open
CHAdeMO is used in Japan (primary), Legacy installations worldwide. Declining everywhere except Japan.
Is CHAdeMO still being used in 2026?Open
Declining everywhere except Japan. Electrify America stopped installing new CHAdeMO connectors in January 2022. The Nissan Leaf was the last CHAdeMO EV sold in North America. Even Japanese automakers are announcing NACS adoption for Japan starting 2026-2027. Japan still has about 12,600 CHAdeMO chargers, but the standard is effectively legacy. The next-generation ChaoJi standard (CHAdeMO 3.0 + China's GB/T) may extend its life in Asia.
The rest of the EV plug zoo.
Every other connector standard we've documented — at the speed of one click.
Need it for a country? We index all 195+.
Last verified: July 2026 · Verified by PlugHopper Travel Experts