NACS is winning in the US — what it means if you own a CCS car
Nearly every major automaker has committed to NACS. If you already drive a CCS1 car, here is what actually changes and what does not.
The North American Charging Standard — the connector Tesla designed and then opened up — has been adopted by nearly every major automaker selling in the US. If you already own a CCS1 car, the change is less dramatic than the headlines suggest.
What is actually happening
NACS is a single connector handling both AC and DC. It is smaller and lighter than CCS1, which uses a J1772 connector with two large DC pins bolted underneath.
Automakers are moving for a practical reason: the Supercharger network is the largest and most reliable DC network in North America, and access to it is worth more than loyalty to a connector shape.
What changes for a CCS1 owner
Adapter access to Superchargers. Most manufacturers now supply or sell a CCS1-to-NACS adapter. Many Supercharger sites accept non-Tesla vehicles, though pricing is typically higher for non-members.
New charger installations will increasingly be NACS, or dual-connector. Existing CCS1 hardware is not being torn out.
Your next car will probably have a NACS port. Which means your current cables and adapters may not carry over.
What does not change
Your car keeps working. CCS1 infrastructure exists in large volume and is not disappearing. Networks have every incentive to keep serving the millions of CCS1 vehicles on the road.
Home charging is unaffected. Level 2 home charging in the US uses J1772 or NACS on the AC side. If you have a J1772 home unit and buy a NACS car, a cheap adapter handles it.
Nothing changes outside North America. The UK and Europe standardised on Type 2 and CCS2, and are not migrating.
Practical advice
Get the adapter. If your manufacturer offers a CCS1-to-NACS adapter, it substantially expands where you can charge. This is the single highest-value action.
Do not panic-sell. The overlap period will run for years. A CCS1 car with adapter access to Superchargers is in a decent position.
When buying new, prefer a NACS port if the rest of the car suits you — but do not choose a worse car for the connector alone. Adapters exist in both directions.
Buy adapters from the manufacturer or a reputable brand. These carry high current. This is not the place to save twenty dollars.
In pictures
Common questions
Will CCS1 chargers disappear?
Not for many years. There are too many CCS1 vehicles on the road, and most new NACS-equipped cars ship with adapters that work in both directions. Expect a long overlap.
Does this affect resale value?
Some, at the margin. A CCS1 car with reliable adapter access to the Supercharger network is much better placed than one without.
About the author
ElectraMile EditorialEditorial desk
The ElectraMile editorial team covers charging, running costs and EV ownership for readers in the UK and US.
Spotted something wrong? Tell us — we correct and date every change.
Figures shown for United Kingdom in GBP. Switch market in the header to see local pricing and terminology.
