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.
Round connector with L1, Neutral, Ground, Control Pilot, and Proximity Pilot pins
Also known as: J1772, J plug, Level 2 connector
How fast it actually delivers.
Theoretical peaks vs. what you'll see at most public stations.
Regions running on Type 1 (SAE J1772).
Geographies that adopted this standard, and the brands shipping cars with it from the factory.
Chevrolet, Nissan, Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen
How we got this connector.
The standards bodies, automakers, and political fights that shaped it.
Developed by SAE International, the J1772 connector became the standard North American AC charging plug in 2009. The original 2001 version by Avcon was rectangular; the current round design was proposed by Yazaki and mandated from the 2010 model year. It has been the universal AC charging connector for every non-Tesla EV sold in North America for over a decade.
Where Type 1 (SAE J1772) stands today.
The shift to NACS (which handles both AC and DC in a single smaller connector) is phasing out J1772. As automakers switch to native NACS ports from 2025 onward, J1772 becomes legacy. However, the massive installed base of J1772 Level 2 chargers will remain in service for years, and NACS-to-J1772 adapters are widely available for under $30.
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 an EV in the US or Canada, most public Level 2 chargers still use J1772. Newer rentals (2025+) may have NACS ports with a J1772 adapter included.”
Questions readers actually ask.
The three things people Google about this connector — answered without the marketing spin.
What is Type 1 (SAE J1772)?Open
Type 1 (SAE J1772) is a AC only EV charging connector with 5 pins. Round connector with L1, Neutral, Ground, Control Pilot, and Proximity Pilot pins. It supports up to 19.2 kW (240V, 80A single-phase).
Which countries use Type 1 (SAE J1772)?Open
Type 1 (SAE J1772) is used in United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea. The shift to NACS (which handles both AC and DC in a single smaller connector) is phasing out J1772.
Is Type 1 (SAE J1772) still being used in 2026?Open
The shift to NACS (which handles both AC and DC in a single smaller connector) is phasing out J1772. As automakers switch to native NACS ports from 2025 onward, J1772 becomes legacy. However, the massive installed base of J1772 Level 2 chargers will remain in service for years, and NACS-to-J1772 adapters are widely available for under $30.
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: May 2026 · Verified by PlugHopper Travel Experts