GB/T
Chinese Standard
China's national EV charging standard, with separate plugs for AC and DC. Required on new EVs and chargers in China since 2017. Export models can use local plugs instead.
DominantRequired across China
Get the j1772 to gb/t adapter (opens in a new tab)Does it matter to you?
You're traveling in China
China-market cars and public chargers both use GB/T, so a rental car already matches the stations. Charging gear from home won't work with them.
A Chinese-brand EV is coming to your market
Export models can carry your local plug instead. BYD's Atto 3 in Europe has Type 2 and CCS2, not GB/T. Check the spec sheet for your market.
You own a China-market car outside China
It keeps its GB/T inlets. Adapters from J1772 or Type 2 handle AC charging; active adapters from CCS1 or CCS2 handle DC, at over €1,000 from one EU seller.
- Carries
- AC and DC
- Separate plug and inlet for each
- Spec maximum
- 800 kW
- DC plug, 2023 revision
- Public average
- 51 kW
- China, Aug 2026, AC and DC
- Public points
- 5.16 million
- China, August 2026
- Required since
- 2017
- New EVs and chargers in China
Most China-market cars have two charging ports
GB/T uses one plug for AC and a different one for DC. Most China-market EVs have both inlets: a 7-pin AC inlet and a 9-pin DC inlet. Some low-cost city cars, such as the original Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, have only the AC inlet.
Export models can differ. BYD's Atto 3 in Europe has a CCS2 inlet, which carries AC and DC through one port.
| Car | AC | DC |
|---|---|---|
| China-market car | GB/T ACAC | GB/T DCDC |
| Original Wuling Mini EV | GB/T ACAC | |
| Atto 3, Europe | CCS2AC + DC | |
800 kW in the spec, 51 kW on average
The 2023 revision lets the existing GB/T DC plug carry 800 A and 800 kW with active cooling, and it stays compatible with older plugs. The 2015 version stopped at 1,000 V and 250 A. In August 2026, China's 5.16 million public charging points averaged 50.69 kW of rated power.
Peak DC charging power by standard
| Row | Power |
|---|---|
| GB/T DC, 2023, Same plug, 800 A, active cooling | 800 kW |
| NACS, V4 cabinet, Cybertruck only at launch | 500 kW |
| CCS1 and CCS2, Top CharIN class; faster posts exist | 350 kW |
| GB/T DC, 2015, 1,000 V and 250 A | 250 kW |
| China public average, Rated, AC and DC points, Aug 2026 | 51 kW |
Where you'll find GB/T
China is the stronghold, with GB/T required on new EVs and chargers. Russia's 2022 rules for subsidised public fast chargers require a GB/T plug too. Elsewhere it mostly turns up on imported China-market cars, which charge through adapters.
- Standard
- Expanding
- Limited
- Not used
| Region | 2026 | Heading toward |
|---|---|---|
| China, public chargers | Standard5.16 million public points, Aug 2026 | StandardTarget: 40 million+ points of all kinds by 2030 |
| China, high-power | Expanding180,000+ high-power points, Jun 2026 | ExpandingTarget: about 300,000 by 2030 |
| China, ChaoJi-1 plug | Limited80+ chargers at 30+ sites by 2023 | LimitedNo newer public count found |
| EU and UK | Not usedChinese brands can fit CCS2, e.g. BYD Atto 3 | Not usedGB/T imports charge through adapters |
| United States | Not usedNot among US connector types (AFDC) | Not usedAdapters exist for imported cars |
Levels are Plughopper's reading of the figures shown, not an official classification.
GB/T against the other DC standards
| Attribute | GB/T (this page)Dominant | CCS2Dominant | CCS1Declining | NACSGrowing | CHAdeMODeclining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC and DC through one inlet | No, separate inlets | Yes | Yes | Yes | No, DC only |
| Top rated DC power | 800 kW (MIIT, 2023 revision) | 350 kW class; 600 kW per car since 2026 | 350 kW class; 400 kW posts listed | 500 kW (V4 cabinet) | 400 kW (CHAdeMO 2.0 spec) |
| Main markets | China | EU, UK, Australia, India | US, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan | US and Canada | Japan |
Revised twice, required since 2017
China defined its GB/T AC and DC plugs in 2011 and revised them in 2015. New EVs and chargers have had to meet the 2015 version since 2017. A 2023 revision raised the DC plug to 800 kW, and a new high-power plug, ChaoJi-1, was approved alongside it.
- Dec 2011
AC and DC plugs defined
GB/T 20234.2 (AC) and 20234.3 (DC) are issued, in force from March 2012.
- Dec 2015
The 2015 revision
DC plug rated to 1,000 V and 250 A, AC to 440 V and 63 A. In force from January 2016.
- Jan 2017
Required on new cars and chargers
A 2016 government notice applies the 2015 standard to new EVs and newly installed chargers.
- Aug 2018
ChaoJi project starts
China Electricity Council and the CHAdeMO Association agree to develop a joint high-power plug.
- Sep 2023
800 kW, and a new plug
The DC plug's revision allows 800 A and 800 kW and stays compatible. ChaoJi-1, a new plug with the same 1,500 V and 800 A limits, is approved alongside it.
- Aug 2025
Binding safety rules
Mandatory standard GB 44263-2024 takes effect, setting safety requirements for AC and DC charging systems.
- Aug 2026
24.2 million charging points
5.16 million of them public, averaging about 51 kW of rated power.
- 2030
Target: 40 million+ points
China's 2026–2030 power-system plan aims for over 40 million, about 300,000 of them high-power.
What catches people out
Two ports, two different plugs
GB/T uses one plug for AC and another for DC, and most China-market cars have both inlets. Some low-cost city cars, such as the original Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, have only the AC inlet and can't fast-charge.
It looks like Type 2, but isn't
The GB/T AC plug resembles Type 2 with the genders swapped: pins on the cable, sockets on the car. The signals differ too, so the two are not compatible.
Your Chinese-brand car may not be GB/T
Export models can carry the local plug instead. BYD's Atto 3 in Europe, for example, has Type 2 and CCS2. Check your car's spec sheet before you buy any GB/T gear.
Adapters cost very different amounts
At one EU seller, AC adapters from Type 1 (J1772) or Type 2 to GB/T cost about €55 to €60, and active DC adapters from CCS1 or CCS2 cost over €1,000. Check the seller's list of tested cars and networks.
Driving a China-market car, or visiting China?
GB/T is not a US charging standard, so GB/T gear is thin on US Amazon. These suit a privately imported China-market car, plus a trip to China.
- J1772 to GB/T adapterThe charger's J1772 plug goes in, GB/T goes into the car. AC onlyView on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
- GB/T portable chargerAC charger with a GB/T car plug; check its wall plug fitsView on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
- China travel adapterFor China's Type A and Type I sockets: phones and laptopsView on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Amazon links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Questions
What is GB/T charging?
China's national standard for EV charging connectors. It uses separate plugs for AC and DC, so most China-market cars have two charging ports. The 2023 revision rates the DC plug at up to 800 kW, while China's public charging points averaged about 51 kW in August 2026.
Which countries use GB/T?
China, where new EVs and chargers have had to meet the standard since 2017. Russia's 2022 rules for subsidised public fast chargers also require a GB/T plug. Elsewhere it mostly turns up on imported China-market cars, which charge through adapters. Export models can differ: BYD's Atto 3 has Type 2 and CCS2 in Europe.
Is GB/T the same as Type 2?
No. The GB/T AC plug looks like Type 2, but the genders are swapped and the signals differ, so they are not compatible. The GB/T DC plug is a separate connector, unlike CCS2, which carries AC and DC through one inlet.