CCS2 vs CCS1: What is the Difference?

An electric car from the United States can look almost identical to its European counterpart. Open the charge port cover, however, and you may find a detail that changes your next charging stop: the connector.

When comparing CCS1 vs CCS2, the main difference is the upper connector section. CCS1 is based on Type 1, while CCS2 is based on Type 2. Both Combo inlets add two large contacts for direct-current charging. Combo 2 is the main CCS configuration used in Europe; Combo 1 is particularly relevant to North American vehicles. The connectors cannot plug directly into each other’s vehicle inlets.

For everyday driving, this raises three questions: Which charging stations can you use? What accessories do you need? And how much charging power can your car actually accept?

CCS1 vs CCS2: A Direct Comparison

CCS stands for Combined Charging System. It covers the vehicle inlet, charging control and communication between the car and the charging equipment. The numbers 1 and 2 identify different connector configurations.

These differences describe the interfaces. Regional information provides a useful starting point; choosing the right accessory requires checking the inlet fitted to your particular vehicle.

How Do You Recognise CCS1?

With CCS1, the Type 1 interface forms the upper section of the vehicle inlet. The two large DC contacts sit underneath. AC charging uses the Type 1 interface, while DC fast charging uses the complete Combo 1 connector.

If you are importing a vehicle, check its actual charging inlet. The model name and the manufacturer’s country of origin do not provide enough information. A vehicle range may have different charging connectors depending on its original market and model year.

NACS, standardised within the SAE J3400 family, is also relevant in North America and has a different connector design. Describing a car as a “US vehicle” therefore does not establish which adapter it needs.

What Identifies a CCS2 Inlet?

With CCS2, the upper section uses the Type 2 interface. Two large contacts beneath it provide the connection for DC charging. At a compatible home charger, you use a Type 2 connector. At a DC fast charger, you use the Combo 2 connector, which includes the additional lower contacts.

The combined inlet is convenient for everyday use: the same vehicle charge port accepts AC charging at home and DC charging on the road. How much power the car accepts depends on its technical specifications.

For a compatibility check, photograph the vehicle inlet with the charge port cover fully open. A close-up should show the lower contacts and the shape of the upper section.

CCS 2 and Type 2: Which Cable Do You Need?

The term CCS 2 refers to the same connector configuration as CCS2 or Combo 2. Type 2 is the AC interface that forms the upper section of this vehicle inlet.

At a public AC charging point with a Type 2 socket, you need a suitable charging cable. A vehicle with a Type 1 inlet may be able to charge there using an appropriate Type 2-to-Type 1 cable. The electrical specifications and approvals must support that particular combination.

At a DC fast charger, the charging cable is usually attached to the station. The larger Combo connector supplies the vehicle through the lower DC contacts. An AC cable connecting Type 1 and Type 2 does not provide this connection.

Plan for these charging situations separately. Your cable for AC charging serves a different purpose from your adapter for a DC fast-charging station.

Why Three-Phase AC Charging Matters for Imported Vehicles

Type 2 supports single-phase and three-phase AC charging. Type 1 is designed for single-phase AC charging. Your car’s onboard charger, which converts AC into DC for the battery, helps determine how much power the vehicle can use.

An adapter allows you to connect to compatible charging equipment. It does not add three-phase charging capability to the car’s onboard electronics.

Consider an imported vehicle whose onboard charger accepts 16 amps on a single phase. At 230 volts, the calculated power is:

230 V × 16 A = 3,680 W, or approximately 3.7 kW.

That limitation still applies when the car connects to a three-phase 22 kW home charger. For an energy requirement of 18 kWh, a simplified calculation gives approximately 4.9 hours. Charging losses and actual operating conditions increase the time required.

If you usually charge overnight, this may fit your routine well. When deciding what to buy, your daily driving distance and available charging time are therefore more useful than the highest power rating printed on the charging unit. The current you can use must also comply with the electrical installation and its requirements.

Does CCS2 Charge Faster Than CCS1?

The connector type alone does not establish a fixed DC charging speed. The station and vehicle communicate to manage the charging session. Battery charge level, battery temperature, electrical limits and the car’s charging curve all influence the power it actually receives.

For DC charging, the basic relationship is power equals voltage multiplied by current. At an assumed 400 volts and 250 amps, the result is 100 kW. At 800 volts and the same current, the result is 200 kW.

This example explains why the current rating matters when choosing an adapter. An advertised power figure must be considered alongside the supported voltage range and the conditions for continuous or peak current.

Also check your car’s charging performance across the battery charge range you intend to use. A brief peak and the average power maintained during a longer charging stop describe different aspects of its performance.

For a road trip, compare the time needed to add the same amount of energy. If you need to add 40 kWh, an average charging power of 100 kW gives a calculated time of 24 minutes; at 50 kW, it takes 48 minutes. These figures refer to average power during the session. They are simplified examples: charging losses, battery conditioning where required and possible waiting times can also affect your actual stop. Use the charging curve for your particular vehicle version when planning.

Which Adapter Matches Your Charging Setup?

Start at the charging station and follow the connection through to the car. This order helps you describe the adapter you need clearly.

Product names can follow different conventions, so also compare photographs of both connector ends and read the description of the intended application.

For a car with a Combo 1 inlet charging at a European Combo 2 station, the adapter must accept the station’s CCS2 connector and fit the car’s CCS1 inlet. A Type 2-to-Type 1 AC cable or a NACS adapter serves a different connection requirement.

A DC-Only Adapter or a Combined AC/DC Version?

At EVniculus, you will find a CCS2-to-CCS1 version described specifically for DC fast charging, alongside a version listed for combined DC and AC use. Choose your accessory according to the charging methods you intend to use.

If you mainly need fast charging on the road, check the DC specifications and vehicle compatibility. If you also want to use the same accessory with suitable AC charging equipment, you need a version explicitly designed for that application.

Read the instructions for the particular product. AC and DC current ratings are separate specifications; locking mechanisms and required protective covers may also differ.

An advertised DC power rating of 250 kW, for example, does not tell you how much AC charging power the car can accept through that version.

What Should You Check Before Buying?

Have the vehicle model, model year, original sales market and technical charging specifications ready. Add a photograph of the vehicle inlet and information about the stations you intend to use.

The adapter’s voltage range, permitted current and supported charging methods are key details in its specifications. Pay attention to the distinction between continuous current and short-term peak current. Also check whether the instructions include vehicle-specific requirements for securing the adapter.

For example, the manual linked to the DC version identifies particular locking requirements for the BMW i3. This illustrates why a model compatibility list should be read alongside the instructions for the specific adapter version.

Before charging, inspect the contacts, housing and locking mechanism. Follow the connection sequence in the correct manual and the station’s operating instructions. End the charging session before unlocking the connector. If you find damage or an unusual error message, have the cause checked.

Try Your Charging Setup Before a Long Journey

Test your chosen combination at an accessible charging station while you still have sufficient range in reserve. This gives you an opportunity to become familiar with the connection, locking mechanism and session activation before relying on it during a longer trip.

If an error occurs, record the station, the message and the adapter version used. These details help with technical troubleshooting. Also note the battery charge level and, where available, any information about battery temperature. It is particularly useful to establish whether the station recognises the vehicle at all or whether an active charging session stops unexpectedly.

We are happy to help you choose the appropriate equipment. Send us your vehicle details and a photograph of its charging inlet. Together, we can identify which accessories suit your car and the charging methods you plan to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Every Car with Type 2 Also Have CCS2?

A Type 2 inlet alone does not establish DC charging capability. Combo 2 adds the two lower DC contacts. Also check the vehicle’s charging specifications, particularly where different versions or equipment options are available.

Are CCS1 and NACS the Same?

No. They use different connector designs. When importing a vehicle from North America, identify its actual charging inlet before choosing an adapter.

Will Charging Start Automatically When I Use an Adapter?

A compatible physical connection is one part of the charging process. Communication between the vehicle and station, along with session authorisation, must also work. Follow the charging station’s instructions and check the available payment or access methods beforehand.

Sources:

• CharIN: Implementation Guide CCS Basic, Version 1.1.1.1.
• CharIN: Combined Charging System FAQ and overview of charging connectors used worldwide.
• Joint Office of Energy and Transportation: SAE J3400 Charging Connector.
• U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
• CCS2–CCS1 DC Adapter: Linked user manual covering intended use, locking requirements and electrical operating specifications.