China is by far the world's largest electric vehicle market, and almost every public charger there uses one standard: GB/T. Even though it is rarely seen in Europe or North America, GB/T is one of the most widely deployed charging standards on the planet. It also matters to many companies outside China, from charger manufacturers that export to operators in markets where Chinese vehicles are common.
This guide explains how GB/T works, how it compares with CCS and CHAdeMO, and when you need to think about it.
- GB/T uses separate connectors for AC and DC, unlike CCS which combines them.
- DC charging communication between car and charger runs over a CAN bus, similar in principle to CHAdeMO.
- ChaoJi is a next-generation design developed jointly by Chinese and Japanese organisations for higher power.
- Outside China, GB/T matters mainly in some neighbouring and export markets and for imported vehicles with GB/T inlets.
What does GB/T mean?
"GB" stands for Guobiao, China's national standards, and "/T" indicates a recommended standard. In charging, GB/T refers to a family of standards that define the connectors, the conductive charging system and the communication between charger and battery management system. The most commonly cited are the GB/T 20234 series for connectors and inlets, GB/T 18487 for the charging system, and GB/T 27930 for DC charging communication.
AC and DC connectors
| Aspect | GB/T AC | GB/T DC |
|---|---|---|
| Connector | Seven-pin AC connector | Separate, larger DC connector |
| Typical use | Home, workplace and public AC charging | Public fast charging |
| Typical power | Up to about 7 kW single-phase; higher with three-phase | From tens of kW to several hundred kW on newer equipment |
| Vehicle side | AC inlet | Separate DC inlet |
The GB/T AC connector looks similar to the European Type 2 connector at first glance, but it is not interchangeable: pin arrangement and mechanical design differ. A car with GB/T inlets therefore has two charging ports, one for AC and one for DC.
How GB/T DC communication works
During DC charging, the charger and the car's battery management system exchange information about battery voltage, maximum current, temperature and state of charge. In GB/T this runs over a dedicated CAN bus in the DC connector, defined by GB/T 27930. CCS uses powerline communication over the control pilot line, which also supports ISO 15118 and Plug & Charge. In practice this means GB/T and CCS chargers need different communication controllers, even if their power electronics are similar.
GB/T compared with CCS2 and CHAdeMO
| Aspect | GB/T | CCS2 | CHAdeMO |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC and DC inlet | Separate | Combined | Separate |
| DC communication | CAN bus | PLC, ISO 15118 | CAN bus |
| Main market | China | Europe and many others | Japan |
| Plug & Charge | Not via ISO 15118 | Yes | No |
What is ChaoJi?
ChaoJi is a next-generation conductive charging design developed through cooperation between Chinese standardisation bodies and the CHAdeMO association. It aims at much higher DC power, a smaller connector and backward compatibility with existing GB/T and CHAdeMO systems through adapters. Its adoption is gradual, and GB/T in its current form remains dominant in China's installed base.
When do operators outside China need GB/T?
- Markets with many Chinese-specification vehicles: some neighbouring and export markets have vehicles with GB/T inlets, often imported directly from China.
- Charger manufacturers that export: products for China need GB/T, while products for Europe, Turkey and the Middle East need Type 2 and CCS2. Dual-standard models are common in some regions.
- Fleets with imported vehicles: buses and commercial vehicles from Chinese manufacturers may use GB/T, depending on the specification ordered.
In Europe, Chinese car brands sell vehicles with Type 2 and CCS2 inlets, so a European public network does not normally need GB/T. Our guide to EV charger connector types shows which connectors suit each region.
Managing GB/T chargers with OCPP
The vehicle-side standard does not change how a charger talks to its back office. GB/T chargers that support OCPP connect to a CSMS like any other charger, report connector status and meter values, and accept remote commands. When evaluating GB/T hardware for international projects, check OCPP version support (1.6J or 2.0.1), the quality of error reporting and whether the firmware can be updated remotely. Our guide to connecting a charger to an OCPP server covers the onboarding steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is GB/T the same as Type 2?
No. The GB/T AC connector looks similar to Type 2 but the two are not compatible. GB/T DC is a completely different connector from CCS2.
Do Chinese electric cars sold in Europe use GB/T?
No. Models sold in Europe are built with Type 2 and CCS2 inlets to match European infrastructure and rules.
Can GB/T chargers use OCPP?
Yes. Many GB/T chargers support OCPP, which is independent of the connector standard used between charger and car.
Will ChaoJi replace GB/T?
ChaoJi is designed as a successor with backward compatibility, but the transition is gradual. The existing GB/T installed base will remain in use for many years.
Connect OCPP chargers of any brand and connector standard to one dashboard, with live status and remote control. Explore Üreticy OCPP software or contact us.