The transition to electric mobility is no longer a distant vision—it’s happening right now. Global automakers are phasing out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, governments are enforcing stricter emissions regulations, and consumers are increasingly drawn to the economic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs). But as EV adoption grows, one persistent challenge remains: charging.
In the early days of EVs, charging was painfully slow. Many first-generation vehicles required overnight charging, making them impractical for long trips and contributing to “range anxiety.” The introduction of Direct Current (DC) fast charging transformed the EV experience, cutting charging times from many hours to less than an hour. Suddenly, road trips and quick top-ups became feasible.
At the center of this evolution is the Combined Charging System (CCS)—a standard developed to bring simplicity, flexibility, and interoperability to EV charging. CCS has been a cornerstone in North America and Europe, unifying AC and DC charging in one system and enabling automakers and infrastructure providers to build at scale. But with new competitors like Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), the role of CCS is being reexamined.
This article takes a deep dive into CCS: what it is, how it works, its components, advantages, global adoption, and its future in a fast-changing EV landscape.
The idea for CCS emerged in the late 2000s, during the early wave of mass-market EVs like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. At that time, multiple charging systems competed for dominance, creating confusion for consumers and barriers for infrastructure providers.
CHAdeMO (Japan): One of the first DC fast charging standards, backed by Nissan and Mitsubishi.
GB/T (China): China’s national standard for EV charging, designed to meet the needs of the world’s largest auto market.
Tesla Supercharger: A proprietary system built exclusively for Tesla drivers in North America and parts of Europe.
In Europe and North America, automakers recognized the need for a more universal, flexible, and future-proof system. In 2011, a coalition of major automakers—including BMW, Volkswagen, General Motors, Daimler, Ford, and Chrysler—introduced the Combined Charging System (CCS).
The goal was ambitious: create a single connector that supports both Alternating Current (AC) charging for everyday use and Direct Current (DC) fast charging for long trips, while enabling global standardization and interoperability.
The defining feature of CCS is that it integrates two charging modes—AC and DC—into one standardized design. This makes it versatile for different use cases, from overnight home charging to ultra-fast highway pit stops.
Power is delivered through a grid-connected charger to the vehicle’s onboard charger, which converts AC to DC for battery storage.
Speeds typically range from 3.7 kW to 22 kW in households and workplaces, though industrial AC chargers can exceed 40 kW.
Best suited for overnight charging or long dwell times.
Power is converted externally and delivered directly to the battery, bypassing the onboard charger.
Enables ultra-fast charging up to 350 kW, depending on station capacity and vehicle capability.
Ideal for long-distance travel and commercial fleets requiring quick turnaround.
By combining these two modes, CCS simplifies infrastructure design and user experience, making it possible for a driver to rely on one inlet for all charging needs.
Based on Type 1 (North America) or Type 2 (Europe) connectors.
Enables slow to medium charging, suitable for daily residential use.
Provides flexibility for single-phase or three-phase grids.
Larger and more robust to handle high-power delivery.
Extends the AC connector with two additional high-current pins for DC charging.
Supports ultra-fast charging of up to 350 kW in advanced installations.
Ensures seamless communication between EVs and chargers.
Powers advanced features like Plug & Charge, where drivers simply connect their vehicle and billing occurs automatically.
Supports smart charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) applications.
A dual-purpose inlet on the EV, capable of accepting both AC and DC connectors.
Reduces the need for multiple charging ports, saving space and simplifying design.
Based on the SAE J1772 Type 1 connector.
Standard in North America.
Designed for compatibility with the U.S. grid.
Based on the Type 2 Mennekes connector.
Standard across Europe and gaining traction in South America and Asia.
Mandatory in the European Union since 2014, making it the dominant connector in that region.
Supported by nearly all major automakers outside of Tesla in North America.
Ensures interoperability across diverse charging networks.
CCS supports charging speeds up to 350 kW, enabling 100 km of range in under 10 minutes in optimal conditions.
Built with backward compatibility and scalability in mind.
Can support emerging features like bi-directional energy flow.
CCS stations are generally more affordable compared to proprietary systems, accelerating rollout in public and private sectors.
EVs can act as energy storage devices, feeding electricity back into the grid.
Essential for renewable energy integration and grid stability.
CHAdeMO: Once dominant in Japan, now declining globally.
CCS: Offers faster charging and dual compatibility with AC/DC.
Most automakers outside Japan have phased out CHAdeMO in favor of CCS.
GB/T: China’s national standard, incompatible with CCS.
CCS: More common in Europe and North America.
Global automakers typically manufacture region-specific models to meet standards.
Design: CCS is bulkier, while NACS is compact and user-friendly.
Speed: CCS supports 350 kW; NACS currently supports 250 kW but is evolving.
Adoption: NACS is dominant in North America, especially with Tesla opening its Superchargers to other automakers.
Future: A dual-standard landscape may emerge, with CCS and NACS coexisting.
CCS2 is the mandatory standard for all new EVs sold in the EU.
Charging networks like Ionity and Fastned are expanding rapidly.
CCS1 is widely supported by non-Tesla automakers.
Networks like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint have deployed thousands of CCS chargers.
However, Tesla’s NACS is gaining momentum with new automaker partnerships.
CCS2 is slowly being adopted in markets like Australia, South Korea, and India.
Japan remains focused on CHAdeMO, while China relies on GB/T.
Less ergonomic compared to Tesla’s NACS.
Different versions (CCS1 vs. CCS2) create regional incompatibilities.
NACS adoption by major automakers in North America poses a significant threat.
Some CCS networks have faced criticism for charger downtime and inconsistent maintenance.
Despite challenges, CCS remains a pillar of the EV ecosystem. Its adoption in Europe is firmly entrenched, and its global reach continues to expand. However, in North America, the tide may be shifting toward NACS as more automakers adopt Tesla’s connector.
The likely future scenario is regional standardization:
Europe: CCS2 dominance.
North America: NACS with residual CCS support.
Asia: A mix of GB/T, CHAdeMO (declining), and CCS2.
The role of CCS may evolve, but its legacy as the first true global fast-charging standard is secure.
The Combined Charging System (CCS) has been a game-changer for EV adoption. By integrating AC and DC charging into a single connector, CCS simplified infrastructure, enabled ultra-fast charging, and created a unified ecosystem across automakers and charging providers.
As the EV industry transitions into its next phase, with Tesla’s NACS gaining ground and regional standards competing, CCS faces uncertainty in certain markets. Yet, its strengths—wide compatibility, advanced communication protocols, and support for bidirectional energy flow—ensure it will remain a vital part of the global charging landscape for years to come.
Ultimately, the future of EV charging may not be about one standard replacing another, but about coexistence and interoperability, ensuring that EV drivers have seamless access to reliable, fast, and efficient charging wherever they go.
