With the world rapidly moving toward electric mobility, the unsung champion of the EV charging world is the EV charging connector. These interfaces are critical infrastructure that establishes how, when, and where EVs get charged; they are more than just plugs. The demand for universal, safe, and fast powering EV charging connectors will only grow and settle in 2025, with estimates over 45MM EVs on the road globally.
While countries continue to push forward with their respective electrification roadmaps, the world of EV charging connectors remains regionally fragmented—each market supporting different connector types based on its legacy systems, policies, and OEM choices. Nonetheless, we are currently heading towards standardization, faster charging, and cross-compatibility.
The article explores the top 10 EV charging connectors across the globe from 2025 with a focus on their characteristics, benefits.
1. Type 1 (SAE J1772)
The Type 1 connector, otherwise referred to as SAE J1772, is a single-phase AC EV charging connector and is predominantly used in the North American and Japanese EV market. Primarily, Type 1 connectors are found on older EV’s with Level 1 (120V) and Level 2 (240V) charging speeds between 3.3 kW and 7.4 kW.
While it is reliable for home charging, Type 1 does not support three-phase AC charging, and its slowly being phased down in favor of more advanced systems such as CCS1 and NACS.
2. Type 2 (Mennekes)
The Type 2 or Mennekes connector is the most commonly used AC EV charging connector in Europe and has made its way into India as well. It allows for single-phase and three-phase charging, supports multiple electrical power outputs, with a range from 3.7 kW to 22 kW, and if we go with the public 3-phase chargers, it can even go up to 43 kW.
India has specified Type 2 in the Bharat EV specs as the standard for public AC charging, as well as the common residential and slow public charging.
3. Combined Charging System (CCS) – CCS1 & CCS2
The CCS (Combined Charging System) is a global standard that combines AC and DC charging in a single connector. CCS1 is dominant in North America, while CCS2 is the prevailing standard in Europe, India, and parts of Southeast Asia.
CCS2 supports ultra-fast charging up to 350 kW, making it ideal for high-speed corridors and public charging stations. In India, major OEMs like Tata Motors, Mahindra, MG, and BYD use CCS2 EV charging connectors in their electric cars. It has become the default fast-charging interface under India’s FAME II infrastructure guidelines.
4. CHAdeMO
The CHAdeMO is a Japanese-origin EV charging connector designed primarily for DC fast charging. It supports bi-directional energy flow, enabling vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality. The connector supports up to 62.5 kW DC charging, with some versions going as high as 400 kW.
While CHAdeMO was widely adopted in the past, especially in Japanese vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, it is now being phased out globally. In India, CHAdeMO chargers exist in limited numbers and are no longer part of the national infrastructure roadmap.
5. GB/T (AC & DC)
GB/T is China’s national standard for EV charging connectors. It includes separate connectors for AC and DC charging. The DC variant supports up to 237.5 kW and also allows for V2G capabilities.
Though tailored for China’s domestic market, GB/T-equipped commercial vehicles and electric buses imported into India have made the connector somewhat visible in the Indian EV ecosystem. However, CCS2 is expected to replace GB/T over time as India moves toward global harmonization.
6. Tesla Connector (North America)
Tesla’s proprietary EV charging connector in North America has been known for its sleek design and ability to handle both AC and DC charging from a single port. Tesla Superchargers equipped with this connector provide up to 250 kW of DC power.
However, Tesla is now transitioning its North American connector to NACS (North American Charging Standard), which it has made open-source. Still, thousands of Tesla vehicles in the U.S. continue to use the original connector through 2025.
7. NACS (North American Charging Standard)
In a major shift in 2023–2025, Tesla’s open-source NACS connector has been adopted by leading American automakers like Ford, GM, Rivian, and Lucid. Compact in design and capable of delivering up to 1 MW of charging power, NACS is poised to replace CCS1 across North America.
By mid-2025, over 60% of new EVs in the U.S. are being shipped with NACS EV charging connectors, making it the fastest-growing standard in the global charging landscape.
8. Type 3 (EV Plug Alliance – Now Rare)
Type 3 EV charging connectors were once proposed for safe AC charging in public environments across Europe. They featured shutters to prevent electric shocks. However, with the rise of Type 2 and CCS, Type 3 has become obsolete.
It’s now largely of historical interest but is included here to showcase the evolution and convergence of EV connector standards.
9. IEC 60309 (Industrial Plug)
Though not designed specifically for EVs, the IEC 60309 industrial plug is occasionally used for slow, temporary EV charging. These heavy-duty plugs are common in workshops or in test environments and are rated for low power.
They are not considered part of mainstream EV infrastructure but may be useful in rural or temporary setups in India.
10. VIR Mobility’s Universal C-Type Connector (India Innovation)
As India’s EV ecosystem grows, startups like VIR Mobility are pioneering innovation. Their C-Type EV charging connector is an industry-first, modular, and color-coded system designed specifically for Indian use cases—like e-cycles and intra-campus mobility.
This innovation simplifies servicing, reduces connector errors, and supports easy upgrades. While not yet a national standard, this kind of Indian-specific innovation signals the future of EV charging connectors tailored to regional mobility needs.
Comparison of Top EV Charging Connectors in 2025
| Connector | Region(s) | Power Output (kW) | AC/DC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 (SAE J1772) | North America, Japan | Up to 7.4 | AC |
| Type 2 (Mennekes) | Europe, India | Up to 43 | AC |
| CCS1 | North America | Up to 350 | DC (Combo) |
| CCS2 | Europe, India | Up to 350 | DC (Combo) |
| CHAdeMO | Japan, Limited Global | Up to 400 | DC |
| GB/T DC | China, India (Buses) | Up to 237.5 | DC |
| Tesla (NA) | North America (Tesla) | Up to 250 | AC/DC |
| NACS | North America (Adopted by OEMs) | Up to 1000 | AC/DC |
| IEC 60309 | Global (Temporary Use) | Low (≤ 22) | AC |
| VIR C-Type | India (VIR Mobility) | Modular (custom) | DC (Low Voltage) |
Conclusion: The Road to Connector Convergence
The world of EV charging connectors is evolving fast, driven by the need for higher charging speeds, better safety, and universal compatibility. In India, CCS2 and Type 2 dominate the current infrastructure due to their flexibility and government support under FAME II. Meanwhile, global players are coalescing around CCS2 in Europe/Asia and NACS in North America.
As OEMs, fleet operators, and infrastructure developers scale their investments, choosing the right EV charging connectors is not just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. By 2030, we expect the market to consolidate around 2–3 global standards, with backward compatibility and smart V2G features becoming the norm.
In this rapidly electrifying world, the humble EV charging connector is becoming one of the most crucial elements powering the future of transportation—quietly, efficiently, and universally.