Hello friend! So you recently purchased a shiny new electric vehicle? Congratulations! As you know, owning an EV comes with a unique set of advantages as well as new things to learn when it comes to charging your car‘s battery.
In particular, you may have heard rumblings about "CCS" and "CHAdeMO" without knowing exactly what they mean or how they are different. Well, you‘ve come to the right place!
As an experienced tech specialist focused on electric mobility and charging infrastructure, allow me to clearly explain these important fast charging standards so you can charge your EV efficiently and conveniently.
A Quick Overview
In short, both CCS and CHAdeMO refer to direct current (DC) fast charging systems designed specifically to rapidly charge the battery packs in electric vehicles. They provide crucial infrastructure enabling EV owners to quickly top up their vehicles‘ batteries when on the go.
CCS stands for Combined Charging System. As the name suggests, CCS connectors combine DC fast charging with slower AC charging in one unified plug interface. First released in 2012, CCS sees widespread adoption globally, especially throughout Europe and North America.
CHAdeMO is a DC fast charging standard developed and backed predominantly by Japanese automakers starting around 2010. The dedicated CHAdeMO plug is for ultra-rapid charging only. To also allow regular AC charging, CHAdeMO vehicles require a separate AC inlet.
Now let‘s get into the nitty gritty and explore the key differences between CCS and CHAdeMO…
History and Development
First, a quick history lesson so you understand the background of each standard before we dive into the technical details.
CCS Background
- Proposed in 2011 by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) as a unified fast charging solution
- Builds upon the existing Type 1 and Type 2 AC charging connectors already widely used for slower charging
- First live demonstration held in 2012, with commercial deployment beginning in 2013
- Official certification process introduced in 2015 to validate conformance by chargers and vehicles
- Updated CCS2 specification released in 2020, supporting charging up to 350 kW
CCS key milestones [source: CharIN]
CHAdeMO History
- Launched in 2010 by the CHAdeMO Association, founded by Japanese automakers Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Subaru
- World‘s first standardized DC fast charging specification specially designed for EVs
- CHAdeMO charging stations deployed starting 2010, with 10,000 installed globally by 2014
- Updated CHAdeMO 2.0 released in 2015 supports charging up to 400 kW
- Latest CHAdeMO 3.0 specification ratified in March 2022, enables charging up to 600 kW
CHAdeMO timeline [source: CHAdeMO Association]
So in summary, CHAdeMO preceded CCS by about two years as the pioneering DC fast charging standard, but has since been exceeded in terms of global adoption. Now let‘s analyze the technical specifications and charging parameters…
Detailed Technical Specification Comparison
Here is an in-depth data table outlining key parameters for CCS and CHAdeMO connections:
| Metric | CCS | CHAdeMO |
|---|---|---|
| Charging inlet | J1772-based | Dedicated inlet |
| Max voltage | 1000 V | 1000 V |
| Max current | 500 A | 400 A |
| Max power | 350 kW | 400 kW |
| Cable diameter | 2.6 in | 2.8 in |
| Pins/contacts | 10 | 10 |
| Connector rating | IP55 | IP57 |
| Communication | PLC | CAN |
| Charging type | AC + DC fast charging | DC fast charging only |
To elaborate on some key details:
- Both CCS and CHAdeMO support very high DC voltage and current for ultra-fast battery charging
- CCS combines AC and DC charging capability via the J1772-based connector
- CHAdeMO uses a dedicated connector solely for DC fast charging
- Both standards have continued improving to support higher maximum power over time
- Latest specs exceed 350 kW which allows adding 200+ miles of range in 15 minutes!
Clearly the underlying electrical architecture and charging performance metrics of the two standards are converging over time even if the physical connections differ.
Step-By-Step Charging Comparison
Let‘s now visualize what the charging process itself looks like using CCS and CHAdeMO chargers:
Charging with CCS
- Park your EV next to a CCS charge point
- Remove the CCS connector and cable
- Plug the CCS connector directly into your car‘s charge port
- Charging starts automatically and typically takes 20-30mins to get an 80% charge
- When the battery readout indicates completion, disconnect the cable and resume your journey!
Charging with CHAdeMO
- Park next to a CHAdeMO charge point
- Take the CHAdeMO connector and plug into DC fast charge inlet
- For slower AC charging, use a separate Type 1/Type 2 cable into the AC inlet
- Charging initiates and usually finishes within 30 mins
- Disconnect cable(s) when charge rate slows down or battery level meets your needs!
In a nutshell:
- CCS allows both AC and DC charging via one standardized connector
- CHAdeMO requires using the appropriate cable and charge port depending on AC vs ultra-fast DC
Hopefully these illustrations provide some clarity on utilizing both types of charging points!
Global Adoption and Availability
When it comes to global presence and access for drivers, there is a clear contrast between the two standards:
CCS
- Supported by majority of Western automakers including BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen etc.
- Rapidly growing network of CCS charge points across Europe and North America
- On track to become the default fast charging standard globally
Projected installed base of 11.5 million CCS charge points worldwide by 2030 [source: SNE Research]
CHAdeMO
- Backed predominantly by Japanese automakers including Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi
- Still quite popular in Japan with over 40,000 public CHAdeMO chargers installed nationwide
- Also supported by some models from Peugeot, Citroen, Kia, Honda in Europe
- But seeing decline elsewhere as CCS momentum accelerates
Clearly, CCS has broader industry commitment and is expanding charging access for EV drivers in most major markets globally. While CHAdeMO meets fast charging needs mainly for Japanese brands focused on their domestic market.
Recent Enhancements and Future Outlook
Both CCS and CHAdeMO continue to evolve with new capabilities in the pipeline:
Recent Updates
- CCS2 allows charging up to 350 kW for compatible EVs
- CHAdeMO 4.0 increases max power to 400+ kW
- Porsche Taycan features both CCS2 and CHAdeMO ports for flexibility
Potential Advances
- Even faster charging speeds (500-1000+ kW)
- Improved cybersecurity and authentication protocols
- Over-the-air updates to charging performance
- Enabling vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electricity transfer
Additionally, research is underway on inductive charging that allows wireless power transfer to the EV without any physical charge cables! Exciting innovations on the horizon for sure.
While CHAdeMO pioneered DC fast charging, CCS has faster momentum across North America and Europe. But both protocols continue to enhance charging speeds and convenience to maximize adoption.
Which Standard is Best Suited For You?
Finally, let‘s summarize the pros, cons and best applications of CCS and CHAdeMO to help assess which is optimal for your specific EV:
When CCS Makes More Sense
Pros
⚡ Available at far more charging stations globally
⚡ Single connector for all charging needs
⚡ No additional charge ports or cables
Best For
- Drivers in Western markets looking for maximum fast charging access
- Those wanting simpler, unified charging experience
When CHAdeMO is Preferable
Pros
⚡ Essential for Nissan LEAF and Mitsubishi Outlander EV drivers
⚡ Still widely accessible in Japan
Best For
- Owners of vehicles specifically designed for CHAdeMO charging
- Drivers focused on using EVs domestically within Japan
For most consumers, especially in Europe and North America, new CCS-equipped models provide the most future-proof charging experience. While existing CHAdeMO users also enjoy reliable DC fast charging support focused in the Japanese market.
Key Takeaways: CCS vs CHAdeMO
- CCS allows combined AC and DC fast charging; CHAdeMO is DC fast charging only
- Both deliver ultra-rapid charging (80% in 20-30 mins)
- CCS sees accelerating global adoption; CHAdeMO focus mainly Japan
- Continual enhancements gradually improving charging speeds and convenience
- CCS optimal for Western EV buyers wanting maximum charging flexibility
So in summary, while CHAdeMO initially pioneered DC fast charging, CCS has emerged as the charging solution of choice for a growing number of automakers worldwide providing superior access and convenience.
I hope this detailed exploration has helped demystify CCS and CHAdeMO for your electric vehicle charging needs. Please don‘t hesitate to reach out with any other questions. Safe travels!
Jasper Ng
Industry Analyst, Fast Charging Networks
