When this article was first written, the main question EV drivers asked was “CHAdeMO or CCS?” In 2026, the answer to both is increasingly “neither” — North America has converged on a third standard, NACS (the Tesla-style plug, formally SAE J3400). Here’s what each connector is, where things stand today, and what it means if you’re buying an EV or installing a charger at your New Jersey home or business.
The three fast-charging connectors, in one minute
NACS (SAE J3400) — the compact plug Tesla developed, now an open industry standard. Every major automaker selling EVs in the US — Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, VW, Stellantis, and the rest — has adopted it. New models are switching to native NACS ports on a staggered schedule, and drivers of CCS-equipped cars use an adapter to charge at NACS stations.
CCS (Combined Charging System, CCS1) — the standard on most non-Tesla EVs sold in the US through the mid-2020s. It’s being phased out on new vehicles in favor of NACS, but it is far from dead: millions of CCS cars are on the road, federally funded highway chargers are required to include CCS connectors, and most networks now deploy dual-cable stations serving both plugs. If you drive a CCS car today, you’ll be well supported for years.
CHAdeMO — the older Japanese fast-charging standard, used mainly by the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It has effectively reached end of life in the US: networks have stopped installing new CHAdeMO cables and have begun removing existing ones, and no CHAdeMO-to-NACS adapter exists. If you own a CHAdeMO vehicle, plan your charging around the shrinking number of stations that still support it.
What about home charging?
Here’s the good news: the fast-charging standards battle barely affects charging at home. Everyday home charging is Level 2, and Level 2 equipment is available with either the classic J1772 connector or a NACS connector — and adapters bridge the two in both directions. What matters far more for a home installation is the electrical work behind the charger:
- Circuit capacity. A Level 2 charger typically needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit at 40–60 amps. Many North Jersey homes — especially those with 100-amp service — need a panel upgrade or load management to add one safely.
- Future-proofing. We recommend hardwired or NEMA 14-50 installations sized so you can swap the charger unit as connectors evolve, without redoing the electrical work.
- Permits and inspection. EV charger circuits in New Jersey require permits and inspection — part of what a licensed installer handles for you.
Advice for NJ businesses installing chargers
For workplaces, retail sites, and multifamily buildings, the 2026 playbook is dual-connector or NACS-forward hardware: NACS is where the vehicle fleet is heading, while CCS support covers the millions of vehicles already on the road. Charger placement, utility service capacity, and load management drive far more of the project cost than the connector choice — which is why the site assessment matters more than the brand of charger.
The bottom line
CHAdeMO is history, CCS is the well-supported present, and NACS is the future every automaker has signed up for. Whichever badge is on your EV, the connector question sorts itself out with the right adapter — but the wiring feeding your charger is forever. Nextgen Electric installs home and commercial EV charging stations throughout North Jersey, handling the electrical design, permits, and installation end to end. Call (201) 321-8949 for a free assessment of what your home or facility needs.
Installing EV charging for a business or fleet?
Nextgen Electric designs and installs Level 2 and Level 3 DC fast charging stations across North Jersey — with NJ incentives applied. Call (201) 321-8949 or request a bid.
