In just a few years, the North American charging market changed direction. A connector that started on Tesla vehicles was opened to the industry, standardised by SAE as J3400, and adopted by almost every major car manufacturer for their North American models. For operators in the United States and Canada, NACS is now part of every hardware decision. For operators elsewhere, it is worth understanding because it shapes global hardware roadmaps.
- NACS was opened by Tesla in November 2022 and standardised by SAE as J3400; the recommended practice was published in September 2024.
- It carries both AC and DC in one compact connector.
- J3400 uses the same ISO 15118 / powerline communication family as CCS1, which makes adapters and dual-standard chargers practical.
- NACS is a North American standard; Europe, the Middle East and Turkey continue to use Type 2 and CCS2.
A short timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| November 2022 | Tesla publishes its connector design as the North American Charging Standard |
| 2023 | Ford, followed by most major manufacturers, announces a switch to NACS for North America |
| June 2023 | SAE announces it will standardise the connector as J3400 |
| December 2023 | SAE publishes a technical information report for J3400 |
| 2024 onwards | Non-Tesla vehicles gain access to Tesla Superchargers, often via adapters |
| September 2024 | SAE publishes J3400 as a recommended practice |
Technical overview
| Aspect | NACS / SAE J3400 |
|---|---|
| Current type | AC and DC through the same pins |
| AC charging | Single-phase up to 277 V; residential setups typically around 11.5 kW at 48 A |
| DC charging | 500 V and 1,000 V variants; high-power DC in the hundreds of kW |
| Communication | Powerline communication with ISO 15118 family, like CCS1 |
| Size | Compact handle and inlet compared with CCS1 |
The shared communication approach is important. Because J3400 and CCS1 speak the same high-level language with the vehicle, a charger's power electronics and communication controller can often serve both connector types, and passive adapters work for many combinations.
NACS vs CCS1
| Aspect | NACS (J3400) | CCS1 |
|---|---|---|
| Connector size | Small, light handle | Larger, heavier handle |
| AC and DC | Same pins for both | Type 1 section for AC plus two DC pins |
| Vehicle support | Becoming standard on new North American models | Large existing fleet, declining on new models |
| Charger installed base | Large Tesla network, growing third-party networks | Most existing third-party DC chargers |
What this means for charge point operators in North America
- New DC chargers: plan for NACS cables, often alongside CCS1 during the transition, because both vehicle types will be on the road for years.
- Existing chargers: some manufacturers offer cable retrofits, which can be cheaper than replacing the charger.
- AC chargers: J1772 remains common, and J3400 AC is growing; adapters are widely available for drivers.
- Funding rules: public funding programmes generally require chargers usable by multiple vehicle brands; check how NACS-only or dual configurations are treated in your programme.
- Software: nothing changes in principle. The charger still connects to its management system over OCPP, and each cable appears as a connector with its own status.
What it means outside North America
In Europe, Turkey and the Middle East, the connector question remains Type 2 for AC and CCS2 for DC, and Tesla vehicles sold there use CCS2. NACS matters indirectly: charger manufacturers that sell globally now design products with interchangeable cable sets, and companies expanding into the US need dual-standard planning. Our guide to EV charger connector types shows the full regional picture.
Operating a mixed NACS and CCS1 network
- Label clearly: drivers need to see which cable fits their car before they park.
- Publish connector data: make sure apps and roaming partners receive correct connector types for each EVSE.
- Track usage per connector type: data shows when to convert more outlets to NACS.
- Watch failure patterns: adapters and new cables bring new fault types; detailed OCPP error reporting helps your team react quickly.
Our article on connector statuses explains how each cable's status and errors appear in your management system.
Frequently asked questions
Is NACS the same as the Tesla connector?
NACS originated as the Tesla connector in North America. Since standardisation as SAE J3400, it is an industry standard that any manufacturer can use.
Can CCS1 cars use NACS chargers?
Yes, with suitable adapters and where the charging network allows it, because both use compatible communication. Native NACS inlets are becoming standard on new models.
Will Europe switch to NACS?
There is no sign of that. Europe has standardised on Type 2 and CCS2, which are also required for public charging under EU rules.
Does NACS change how chargers connect to OCPP software?
No. OCPP sits between the charger and the back office. A NACS cable is simply another connector on the charger.
Manage chargers with NACS, CCS1, CCS2 or Type 2 outlets from one dashboard, with per-connector status and usage data. Explore Üreticy OCPP software or contact us.