Key Differences Between CCS And CHAdeMO In EV Charging

If you are an EV driver, then you are familiar with CCS and CHAdeMO. These are two of the most important fast-charging standards worldwide. They appear to be technically sound; still, understanding the difference allows choosing the appropriate car, EV charger or even planning a charging location.

Think of how many times you have arrived at a station and found that the connector is incompatible with your vehicle. That’s why this topic matters. This article explains the basics of CCS and CHAdeMO, compares their performance and compatibility and looks at the future outlook of each. Read on to learn more.

Technical Overview of CCS

The Combined Charging System (CCS) is one of the most popular charging standards today. Automakers in Europe and North America widely support it.

• Features: CCS combines AC and DC EV charging in a single connector. That means you can use the same port for both slow home charging and fast public charging. It’s designed for flexibility and convenience.

• Speed: CCS can be used up to a 350 kW charging rate on some networks. This means that hundreds of miles of range can be attained in less than 30 minutes by many EVs, depending on the battery.

• Connector Design: The plug of the CCS connector is likely to resemble typical Type 1 (in North America) or Type 2 (in Europe) to add two extra DC pins. It is small and convenient.

• Regional Adoption: CCS has a strong hold in Europe and North America. Usage CCS is the default of many automakers, including Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, GM and Mercedes. Tesla in Europe also converted its newer cars to accept CCS for public charging.

CCS is a flexible, modern standard that best suits the evolving, rapidly expanding EV market.

Technical Overview of CHAdeMO

The CHAdeMO standard came earlier than CCS. It was developed in Japan and became one of the first widely adopted fast-charging systems.

• Features: CHAdeMO was built mainly for DC fast charging. Unlike CCS, it doesn’t combine AC and DC into one port. Instead, it uses a separate connector for fast charging.

• Speed: The early CHAdeMO chargers had a maximum of 62.5 kW. Subsequent development increased the speed with newer models capable of doing 200 kW. The majority of stations are currently below the speeds of CCS.

• Connector Design: The CHAdeMO plug is larger and bulkier compared to CCS. It needs another port on the vehicle, which means taking up more space.

• Regional Adoption: CHAdeMO is often found in Japan and was at one time used more in Europe. Nissan and Mitsubishi were two of the brands to strongly back it. In North America, it’s used mainly by older Nissan LEAF models and some other Japanese EVs. However, many new cars are moving away from it.

CHAdeMO deserves credit for starting the fast-charging movement, but it faces stiff competition from CCS today.

Key Differences

Let’s put CCS and CHAdeMO side by side and see how they differ.

▶1. Power Delivery and Charging Speed

• CCS: Can be ultra-quick charged up to 350 kW. Best to use on long journeys when quick stops matter.
• CHAdeMO: Most can only charge up to 50 kW, but newer versions are 200 kW. Still, fast networks often focus on CCS first.

▶2. Vehicle Compatibility

• CCS: Used by most new EVs in Europe and North America. Even Tesla in Europe supports CCS now.
• CHAdeMO: Most commonly known on older Japanese models as the Nissan LEAF. Not many new EVs are being built with CHAdeMO ports globally, except in Japan.

▶3. Market Trends

• CCS: Expanding fast and has the backing of many automakers, charging networks and regulations.
• CHAdeMO: Last seen in Europe and North America, but still can be important in Japan and certain provinces in Asia.

When you compare them, CCS clearly looks like the global front-runner.

Future Outlook

So, what does the future look like for CCS and CHAdeMO? CCS is expected to dominate most markets outside Japan. It is high in power, compact, and widely supported, so it will likely become a standard over the next few years. CCS is here to saty because automakers and charging network providers are putting money into it.

CHAdeMO may stay alive in Japan, where it has deep roots. The standard also relates to some of the more advanced projects, such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), where cars can send electricity into the grid. Nevertheless, its future is uncertain because it is not adopted globally.

For drivers, that means most new cars are built to CCS, and CHAdeMO will quietly go away outside of Japan. If you already own a CHAdeMO vehicle today, you will still find charging stations, but the options are likely to get fewer with time.

Conclusion

Both CCS and CHAdeMO helped push EV charging forward, but one has taken the clear lead. CCS is quicker to charge and is generally compatible and has wider carmaker and network support. CHAdeMO was important in the past but is now only limited to Japan and a few specific cars across the world.

By looking at the bigger picture, it’s clear that CCS is setting the pace for global EV growth. It not only delivers speed but also keeps up with future innovations like renewable energy and smart grid integration. For everyday drivers, that means fewer worries about where to plug in. And for businesses, choosing CCS is like betting on a winning horse it keeps your investment safe for years to come.

For drivers, knowing the difference prevents surprises at charging stations. For businesses, choosing CCS often makes more sense when planning new sites. SINO EV Charger offers DC charging solutions that support global standards and future needs. Whether you are setting up a station or upgrading your network, our smart chargers make you road-ready. Get in touch with us to discuss the appropriate solution to your EV project.

FAQs

Question 1. What does CCS stand for in EV charging?

Answer: It is short for Combined Charging System. It puts AC and DC charging in one connector.

Question 2. Where is CHAdeMO mostly used?

Answer: It is mainly used in Japan. You’ll also find it on older models in Europe and North America but less often on new EVs.

Question 3. Which is faster, CCS or CHAdeMO?

Answer: CCS is faster. It can offer up to 350 kW and most CHAdeMO chargers give 50 kW.

Question 4. Will CHAdeMO still be supported in the future?

Answer: Yes, in Japan and a few markets. But globally, CCS is taking over, and CHAdeMO stations may become less common over time.