Definition and basic concepts
The charging standard for electric vehicles is key to ensuring that vehicles can effectively connect to the charging infrastructure and transfer energy. CCS (Combined Charging System) is a global charging standard that aims to support both AC and DC charging through an integrated interface, thereby simplifying the design of vehicle charging ports.
The CCS standard is mainly divided into two main types, namely CCS 1 and CCS 2, which are extended based on different regional standards and serve different markets and grid environments.
The core concept of CCS is to provide a single charging interface that handles both AC slow charging and DC fast charging through an integrated set of pins. This design avoids the need for vehicles to be equipped with multiple independent charging interfaces (such as one for AC and another for DC), thereby saving space, reducing costs and improving user convenience.
Positioning of CCS1 and CCS2
CCS Type 1 (Combo 1) : It is mainly derived from the SAE J1772 AC charging standard in North America. It is formed by adding two pins for DC charging on the basis of the J1772 interface. Therefore, the CCS Type 1 interface is backward compatible with the AC charging piles of the SAE J1772 standard, and is extended upward to support DC fast charging. It mainly serves areas such as North America that mainly use single-phase AC power grids.
CCS Type 2 (Combo 2) : The Type 2 (Mennekes) AC charging standard originated mainly in Europe. It is formed by adding two pins for DC charging on the basis of the Type 2 interface. The CCS Type 2 interface is backward compatible with the European Type 2 standard AC charging pile, and extends support for DC fast charging. It mainly serves regions such as Europe that mainly use three-phase AC power grids, and is gradually adopted by other regions due to its design advantages.
CCS 1 vs CCS 2:Technical differences
The most significant differences between CCS Type 1 and Type 2 are in their physical connector design and the resulting differences in functionality and performance.
Physical Connector Design
Type 1 : Based on SAE J1772, the physical connector adopts a flat five-pin design. It includes the original three AC charging pins of SAE J1772 (L1/L, N/L2, ground) and two newly added DC charging pins (DC+, DC-). This design is compact and is usually suitable for single-phase AC charging interfaces on the vehicle side.
Type 2 : Based on Type 2 (Mennekes), the physical connector adopts a wider seven-pin design. This includes the original five AC charging pins of Type 2 (L1, L2, L3, N, ground) and two new DC charging pins (DC+, DC-). The design of Type 2 naturally supports three-phase AC charging, which makes it advantageous in areas that support three-phase power grids.
Power output capability
Type 1 : In terms of AC charging, it mainly supports single-phase AC charging, and the maximum power is usually 7.2 kW (depending on the power grid and the vehicle). Although it is technically possible to support three-phase AC through special configuration (such as some industrial and commercial applications), this is not its main application mode, and the three-phase AC power is relatively low (for example, some vehicles or equipment can reach 43 kW, but it is not typical). In terms of DC fast charging, similar to Type 2, CCS Type 1 also supports high-power DC fast charging, usually ranging from 50 kW to 350 kW, or even higher (depending on the capabilities of the charging pile and the vehicle).
Type 2 : In terms of AC charging, because it supports three-phase pins, it can support both single-phase and three-phase AC charging. The single-phase maximum power can reach 7.4 kW, and the three-phase maximum power can reach 43 kW according to the standard (common public charging piles may provide 11 kW or 22 kW three-phase AC). In terms of DC fast charging, CCS Type 2 also supports high-power DC fast charging from 50 kW to 350 kW or higher.
Safety and Communication Protocols Both CCS Type 1 and Type 2 use HomePlug Green PHY power line communication (PLC) as the main communication protocol for charging handshakes, control command transmission, and status information exchange between vehicles and charging piles. They both follow standards such as ISO 15118 for communication.
However, CCS Type 2 is widely used in Europe and other regions, and is designed with more complex application scenarios in mind. In some implementations, additional functions such as temperature monitoring and overcurrent protection may be integrated, making it more adaptable and safer when facing harsh environments or high-power charging.
Regional Distribution and Market Application
Due to their origins and technical characteristics, CCS Type 1 and Type 2 have formed their respective dominant positions in different regions.
CCS Type 1 : It mainly dominates the North American market, such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is because the power grids in these regions mainly use single-phase AC power supply systems, and the design of CCS Type 1 based on the SAE J1772 standard is more compatible with local infrastructure. In Japan, although CHAdeMO is the traditional DC fast charging standard, some new models and charging facilities have also begun to support CCS Type 1.
CCS Type 2 : It is the mainstream standard in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa and parts of Asia (excluding the traditional markets of China and Japan). Most parts of Europe use three-phase AC power grids, and CCS Type 2's support for three-phase AC charging makes it an ideal choice. Its more flexible design and higher AC charging potential have also led to its widespread use in other regions.
Exceptions :
- China : Uses its own national standard GB/T for electric vehicle charging, including AC charging interface and DC charging interface, which is incompatible with both CCS Type 1 and Type 2.
- Japan : Although some new facilities are beginning to support CCS, CHAdeMO remains the mainstream standard for electric vehicles and DC fast charging networks in Japan.
Compatibility and Adaptation Solutions
CCS Type 1 and Type 2 differ in physical interfaces and some communication protocols, which makes them incompatible. Vehicles need to be equipped with corresponding standard interfaces to directly connect to charging piles.
Vehicle compatibility : A vehicle equipped with a CCS Type 1 port cannot be plugged directly into a CCS Type 2 charger, and vice versa. If charging is required in an incompatible area, users will usually need to use an adapter.
Adaptation solutions : In order to achieve cross-regional charging, various charging adapters have appeared on the market, such as adapters that can convert CCS Type 2 charging guns to CCS Type 1 interfaces (such as products produced by brands such as MIDA), and adapters that convert CHAdeMO or GB/T to CCS interfaces.
These adapters can solve the problem of interface incompatibility to a certain extent, but you need to pay attention to the power limit and safety of the adapter when using it. In the long run, many automakers tend to adopt the CCS Type 2 interface, which has a more flexible design, supports three-phase AC, and is popular in more regions around the world when developing models for the global market.
Infrastructure expansion : The construction of charging infrastructure in various places is also carried out according to local mainstream standards. The public charging network in Europe mainly deploys CCS Type 2 charging piles, while the charging network in North America prioritizes the deployment of CCS Type 1 charging piles. In order to serve a variety of vehicle models, some public charging stations will provide multiple interface options, such as being equipped with both CCS Type 2 and CHAdeMO charging guns to meet the charging needs of vehicles with different standards.
Future trends and challenges
The rapid development of electric vehicle technology and the continuous integration of the global market are having an impact on the existing charging standards landscape.
Standardization and integration : Although CCS Type 1 and Type 2 will continue to coexist in the short term, in the long term, due to the advantages of CCS Type 2 in three-phase AC charging and its wide popularity in the European market, it is likely to become a more globally influential mainstream standard in the future. However, due to the continued investment in CCS Type 1 in the North American market and the large amount of existing infrastructure, Type 1 will still maintain an important position in North America, and it will be difficult to achieve complete standardization and integration in the short term.
Technology evolution : To meet the development of electric vehicle battery technology and users' demand for faster charging speeds, the CCS standard itself is also evolving. The next generation of CCS standards (such as supporting higher voltages and currents) aims to further improve charging efficiency and power. For example, the future CCS Type 2 interface may support voltages above 1000V and currents of 350A or even higher, thereby achieving megawatt-level charging power.
Bidirectional charging (V2G) potential : Bidirectional charging (Vehicle-to-Grid) is an important direction for the development of electric vehicles. It allows electric vehicles to not only obtain electricity from the grid, but also feed the stored electricity back to the grid or use it in the home. The CCS standard, especially Type 2, has reserved support for bidirectional charging in communication protocols (such as ISO 15118) and has preliminary V2G communication capabilities, which provides possibilities for its future development.
Market competition : In addition to the CCS standard itself, competition from other charging standards is also intensifying. For example, Tesla's NACS (North American Charging Standard) standard has posed a significant competition to CCS Type 1 in the North American market through its huge super charging network and the adoption of some automakers, which may affect the share and future development of CCS Type 1 in North America.
CCS1 vs CCS2 :How to choose？
Having learned so much about CCS1 vs CCS2, how should we choose between the two? Here we give some suggestions for choosing:
- Regional adaptation : When buying an electric car, the most basic consideration is to choose a model equipped with a corresponding charging interface based on your main use area. For example, if you mainly use it in North America, it will be more convenient to choose a model equipped with a CCS Type 1 interface; if you mainly use it in Europe or Australia, it is more appropriate to choose a model with a CCS Type 2 interface.
- Long-distance travel planning : If you plan to travel long distances across regions, you need to understand the standards of the charging facilities at your destination and along the way in advance. You may need to carry a suitable charging adapter (such as a MIDA CCS Type 2 to Type 1 adapter) or use public charging stations that support multiple charging standards. It is an essential step to check the interface type of the charging pile through tools such as the Charging Map App before traveling.
- Future compatibility : Considering the development of future technologies, giving priority to models that support high-power DC fast charging can extend the vehicle's technical life cycle, enabling it to take advantage of future faster charging infrastructure. At the same time, pay attention to whether the vehicle supports the latest communication protocols (such as ISO 15118), which may affect its future smart charging and V2G functional potential.
