CCS2, GB/T and other charging connectors

Not every electric car fits every charger. The plug, called the connector or inlet, depends on the standard the car was built for. In Georgia, where cars arrive from several markets, this is worth checking before you buy.

AC and DC in one minute

AC charging is slower: the car's own onboard charger converts the power. DC fast charging delivers power straight to the battery and uses a different set of connections. Many connectors combine both.

The common standards

• Type 2: the common AC connector in Europe.
• CCS2: Type 2 with two extra DC pins, so one inlet handles both AC and DC. The standard fast-charging connector in Europe.
• GB/T: China's national standard, with separate AC and DC inlets. Cars built for the Chinese market normally use it.
• CHAdeMO: an older Japanese DC standard, found on some earlier cars.
• CCS1 and NACS (Tesla connector): used in North America. CCS1 is not the same as CCS2.

The brand doesn't decide the connector, the market does

The same model can have a different inlet depending on the market it was built for. Never assume from the badge. Look at the car's actual charging port, and ask which market specification it is.

What about adapters?

Adapters exist for some combinations, but they differ in price, speed limits and reliability, and some combinations aren't practical. Ask the seller exactly what is needed, whether it is included, and what charging speed you will really get.

Before you buy: check these

• Which inlet does this exact car have, for AC and for DC?
• Which public chargers near you or on your usual routes offer that standard? Check each station's listing before you go.
• Is a home charging cable included, and does it fit your home socket or charger?