EV Charging Adapters
One of the biggest breakthroughs for electric vehicle (EV) adoption in North America involves access to the Tesla Supercharger network for non-Tesla EVs. Equally important is that all automakers in America have agreed to shift to a single charging standard – the Tesla charging connector, also referred to as the J3400 or NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector.
Fortunately, these will provide greater access to a wide range of Level 3 (L3) DC fast chargers for many non-Tesla EV drivers, as well as a much simpler way to charge without the confusion of different types of ports and connectors.
Unfortunately, this transition will take some time. Automakers are just starting to install built-in NACS ports on some of their new EVs and charging networks are replacing the aging CHAdeMO connectors with NACS ports. During the transition, EV drivers will need to use a variety of adapters in order to take advantage of these changes.
But which adapter(s) do you need? Here’s a guide to the adapters that you’ll likely need over the next few years.
Level 2 Charging
When it comes to Level 2 (L2) charging, the adapters needed are straightforward since there are only two charging standards – the Tesla/NACS connector and the non-Tesla J1772 connector. It’s important to note that the same adapters can be used for Level 1 (L1) charging if needed.
If you own a Tesla model or one of the newest non-Tesla vehicles equipped with a built-in NACS port, such as the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 9, you’ll need a J1772-to-NACS adapter. Whether you’re charging at home with an L2 home charger or at a public L2 charger equipped with a J1772 connector, the J1772-to-NACS adapter changes the charger’s connector to a NACS connector that you can directly plug into your EV’s NACS charging port.
If you own a new or older non-Tesla model (e.g. Kia Soul, Ford Mustang Mach-E) your vehicle will be equipped with a built-in CCS port. The upper part of the CCS port is the J1772 port used for L2 charging. Older EVs (e.g. Nissan Leaf) equipped with a CHAdeMO port will have a separate J1772 port for L2 charging. For these vehicles, you’ll need a NACS-to-J1772 adapter. If you’re charging your EV at a L2 home charger or L2 public charger with a NACS port, the adapter changes the charger’s connector to a J1772 connector so that you can charge your vehicle. Got all that?
Level 3 DC Fast Charging
It gets a bit more complicated when determining the adapters that you’ll need for Level 3 (L3) DC Fast Charging, due to the different types of EV charging connectors available.
Owners of Tesla models and new EVs with a built-in NACS port will need a CCS-to-NACS adapter if you’re charging your EV on a L3 charger equipped with a CCS connector. The adapter will convert the charger’s CCS connector to a NACS connector so that you can charge your EV. It’s worth noting that an increasing number of chargers will have a NACS connector, so you won’t need the adapter in the long run. However, during the transition, it’s always best to carry the adapter along with you if you’re forced to charge on a charger with a CCS connector.
The majority of non-Tesla EVs today are equipped with a CCS port, such as the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Ford F150 Lightning. With access to the Tesla Supercharger network and non-Tesla charging networks adding a NACS connector to their chargers, owners of these vehicles will greatly benefit from a NACS-to-CCS adapter. This adapter converts the charger’s NACS connector to a CCS connector that can directly plug into your EV. You’ll definitely need this adapter if you’re driving a non-Tesla EV and want to take advantage of the Tesla Supercharger. If charging at a non-Tesla L3 charger, you may not need the adapter as it will likely be equipped with a CCS connector. However, in the future you may need the adapter in case you can’t access a CCS connector. Before purchasing a NACS-to-CCS adapter, check with your automaker first, as many automakers have been offering approved adapters for free or at a discount to owners.
If you own an older non-Tesla EV with a CHAdeMO port, such as a Kia Soul EV, or even a new Nissan Leaf of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, your adapter options are unfortunately limited. In an ideal world, you would need a NACS-to-CHAdeMO and a CCS-to-CHAdeMO adapter. However, these adapters may not be available, are difficult to find, may not be safety certified, or authorized for use by the automaker. There are currently no NACS-to-CHAdeMO adapters available. CCS-to-CHAdeMO adapters are just starting to come out, but many are not safety certified. Unfortunately, those automakers of CHAdeMO equipped EVs have not announced any support or adapters while the industry transitions to the NACS standard and access to the Tesla Superchargers.
Even today’s EVs like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV do not have access to the Tesla Supercharger network, mainly due to their CHAdeMO ports. Further complicating this, many charging networks are removing the CHAdeMO connectors in favor of a NACS connector. If you own such vehicles, you may be stuck with charging on Level 1 or 2 only.
Before Buying an Adapter
Once you know which adapters you’ll need for your EV’s charging needs, it’s best to contact the automaker to see if it is providing adapters to owners. You also want to see which adapters are authorized by the automaker, so as not to void your EV’s warranty.
If you’re purchasing an adapter, always look for one that is safety certified and high quality. There are a number of adapters available at different prices and different qualities. With the high amount of current and energy flowing through the adapters, always go for an approved, well-built, and high-quality adapter. Adapters made by A2Z and Lectron, for example, are robust and often supported by many automakers. Again, it’s best to check with the automaker for one that is recommended.
