EV Charger Compatibility Checker

There are three main connector types you will encounter when shopping for a home EV charger in North America:

J1772 (SAE J1772)

J1772 has been the standard Level 2 AC connector for all non-Tesla EVs in North America since 2010. Nearly every public Level 2 station and home charger uses this connector. If you drive a Chevy, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, VW, Nissan, or most other brands (pre-2025 models), your EV has a J1772 inlet. Any J1772 home charger will plug directly into your car with no adapter needed.

NACS (North American Charging Standard)

Originally known as the "Tesla connector," NACS was adopted as the SAE standard in 2023. All Tesla vehicles use NACS, and starting in 2025, most major automakers (Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, and others) are transitioning new models to NACS as well. If your EV has a NACS port and you want to use a J1772 charger, you will need a simple J1772-to-NACS adapter. Tesla includes one with every vehicle.

CCS1 (Combined Charging System)

CCS1 is the DC fast charging standard used by all non-Tesla EVs in North America. It combines the J1772 connector with two additional DC pins for high-speed charging. CCS1 is only relevant for public DC fast charging stations — home chargers use J1772 or NACS only. As the industry transitions to NACS, newer vehicles will use NACS for both AC and DC charging.

For more details on choosing the right charger, check our guide to the best cheap Level 2 EV chargers.

Choosing the right charger comes down to matching (or exceeding) your vehicle's onboard charger capacity. Here is what you need to know:

Onboard Charger Limits

Every EV has a built-in AC-to-DC converter (the "onboard charger") that limits how fast it can accept AC power. For example, the Chevy Bolt's 7.7 kW onboard charger means that even if you connect a 48A (11.5 kW) wall charger, the Bolt will only draw 7.7 kW. You cannot charge faster than your onboard charger allows.

Amperage Matching Guide

• 6.6–7.7 kW onboard charger (28–32A): A 32A charger is the perfect match. Models like the Bolt, Mach-E, Leaf, and Kona fall in this range. No reason to overspend on a 48A charger unless you plan to upgrade your EV.
• 9.6–11.5 kW onboard charger (40–48A): A 48A charger is ideal. This covers the Ioniq 5/6, EV6/EV9, ID.4, Tesla Model 3/Y, BMW i4/iX, and Polestar 2. You will get full-speed charging at home.
• 19.2 kW onboard charger (80A): Only the Tesla Model S/X, F-150 Lightning, and Lucid Air have this. Most home chargers max out at 48A (11.5 kW), which is still fast enough for overnight charging. A true 80A charger requires a 100A dedicated circuit, which is impractical for most homes.

The "Buy Bigger" Rule

If you are unsure, buying a charger with a higher amperage than your EV needs is always safe — the car will only draw what it can handle. A 48A charger works with every EV on the market and future-proofs your setup if you upgrade vehicles later. Browse our best smart EV chargers for top picks with scheduling and energy monitoring.

Do Tesla owners need a special charger?

No. While Tesla uses the NACS connector, you can use any J1772 home charger with a simple J1772-to-NACS adapter (Tesla includes one for free). Alternatively, you can buy a charger with a native NACS connector — many manufacturers now offer NACS versions of their chargers. Either approach works perfectly.

Is J1772 still universal?

For now, yes. J1772 remains the most common Level 2 connector for home and public charging in North America. Every non-Tesla EV sold through 2024 uses J1772, and adapters make it work with NACS vehicles too. However, the industry is transitioning to NACS. By 2026–2027, most new EVs from all manufacturers will ship with NACS ports.

Will a J1772 charger work with a 2025+ NACS vehicle?

Yes, with an adapter. A J1772-to-NACS adapter costs $15–$30 on Amazon and works reliably. There is no speed loss from using an adapter — the charger will deliver its full rated power through the adapter.

Can I damage my EV with the wrong charger?

No. Modern EVs and chargers communicate electronically before power flows. Your car will only accept the maximum power its onboard charger allows, regardless of the charger's rating. A 48A charger connected to a 32A car will simply deliver 32A. There is no risk of overcharging or damage.

Still have questions? Check our Charging Time Calculator to estimate how long it takes to charge your specific EV, or use the Cost Calculator to estimate your monthly electricity bill.