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.
Compact, lightweight connector significantly smaller than CCS1. The same two power pins handle both AC and DC charging, eliminating the need for separate sections
Also known as: SAE J3400, Tesla connector, NACS
How fast it actually delivers.
Theoretical peaks vs. what you'll see at most public stations.
Regions running on NACS (North American Charging Standard).
Geographies that adopted this standard, and the brands shipping cars with it from the factory.
Tesla, Ford, GM/Chevrolet, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Hyundai/Kia, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche, Volvo/Polestar, Lucid, Stellantis
How we got this connector.
The standards bodies, automakers, and political fights that shaped it.
Tesla developed a proprietary charging connector for the Model S in 2012, using it exclusively across its Supercharger network. In November 2022, Tesla published the design as an open standard called NACS. Between May 2023 and November 2025, every major automaker announced adoption. SAE International standardized it as SAE J3400 in June 2023, crucially switching the communication protocol from Tesla's proprietary CAN bus to the industry-standard ISO 15118.
Where NACS (North American Charging Standard) stands today.
NACS has decisively won the North American connector standard. By 2026, virtually all new EVs sold in the US and Canada have NACS ports. Tesla's Supercharger network (the largest DC fast charging network in North America) now serves all NACS-equipped vehicles. Stellantis was the last major automaker to adopt NACS in November 2025, also extending it to Japan and South Korea. NACS is not expected to replace CCS2 in Europe.
What every NACS driver actually deals with.
NACS won North America in eighteen months — the fastest standards-war reversal in modern automotive history. Here's what actually changed, what it means for charging your car this week, and which adapter you need depending on who built it and where you're plugging in.
NACS vs CCS1 head to head.
Both formats coexist on roads today. Most cars sold from 2025 onward ship NACS; almost all DC fast-charging hardware installed before mid-2024 is CCS1. Adapters bridge the gap — but with caveats.
Who committed and when.
Major-automaker adoption order. "Committed" means publicly announced NACS ports in future cars and/or NACS adapters for the existing fleet.
- Nov 2022TeslaPublishes the connector spec as an open standard. Names it NACS.
- May 2023FordFirst major automaker to commit. Adapter for existing CCS1 cars + native NACS port from 2025 models.
- Jun 2023GM · RivianBoth announce within days of Ford. SAE designates the standard SAE J3400 mid-month.
- Aug 2023Mercedes · Volvo · PolestarEuropean luxury brands committing for the North American market only.
- Sep 2023BMW · Hyundai/Kia · Honda · Nissan · Toyota · VW/Audi/PorscheThe cascade — most major brands within a three-week window.
- Nov 2025StellantisLast major holdout. Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Fiat — also extends NACS commitments to Japan and South Korea.
Which adapter you actually need.
Direction matters. A NACS car at a CCS1 station is a different problem from a CCS1 car at a Tesla Supercharger. Verify your specific model before buying — some aftermarket adapters cap DC speed at 100 kW even at a 350 kW station.
Finding NACS on the road.
- Tesla Supercharger network is the largest DC fast network in North America and now serves non-Tesla cars at most stations. The Tesla app filters for Magic Dock sites if your car still uses CCS1 — those have a built-in adapter.
- Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint are retrofitting NACS at major sites, but coverage is uneven. Confirm in PlugShare before relying on a specific station.
- Apartments and condos often still have only J1772. A J1772-to-NACS adapter (~$30) covers the millions of installed Level 2 stations that haven't been retrofitted yet.
- Cold-weather pre-conditioning still matters — NACS doesn't change battery physics. Pre-condition from the navigation system before arrival to actually hit max DC speeds.
- Older Tesla V1/V2 Superchargers cap at ~90 kW even with a modern car. V3 stations hit 250 kW; V4 hits 500+ kW. Plan long trips around V3/V4.
- Renting an EV in the US? A 2025-or-later rental almost certainly has NACS. A 2024-or-earlier rental probably has CCS1 — ask the agency to include the adapter or pack your own.
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 rent a 2025 or newer EV in the US, it almost certainly has a NACS port. You can charge at any Tesla Supercharger and most public fast charging stations. For older rental EVs with CCS1, NACS-to-CCS1 adapters are available but not always included.”
Questions readers actually ask.
The three things people Google about this connector — answered without the marketing spin.
What is NACS (North American Charging Standard)?Open
NACS (North American Charging Standard) is a AC + DC (single compact connector) EV charging connector with 5 pins. Compact, lightweight connector significantly smaller than CCS1. The same two power pins handle both AC and DC charging, eliminating the need for separate sections. It supports up to 500+ kW (1000V, V4 Supercharger).
Which countries use NACS (North American Charging Standard)?Open
NACS (North American Charging Standard) is used in United States, Canada, Expanding to Japan and South Korea (2026-2027). NACS has decisively won the North American connector standard.
Is NACS (North American Charging Standard) still being used in 2026?Open
NACS has decisively won the North American connector standard. By 2026, virtually all new EVs sold in the US and Canada have NACS ports. Tesla's Supercharger network (the largest DC fast charging network in North America) now serves all NACS-equipped vehicles. Stellantis was the last major automaker to adopt NACS in November 2025, also extending it to Japan and South Korea. NACS is not expected to replace CCS2 in Europe.
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: August 2026 · Verified by PlugHopper Travel Experts