CCS1 stands for Combined Charging System Type 1. It is the North American version of the CCS fast-charging system. “Combined” means one inlet on the car handles both AC and DC charging, and the “1” means this version is built on the Type 1 connector — the AC plug defined by SAE J1772 and explained in our J1772 explainer.
Key Takeaways
- CCS1 = Combined Charging System Type 1: one inlet combining AC and DC, built on the Type 1 (J1772) plug.
- The number follows the region’s AC connector — Type 1 in North America, Type 2 (CCS2) in Europe.
- Combo 1 and Combo 2 are the same names in short form, not different standards.
- Connector names are standards names, not brands.
The Name, Part by Part
Every part of the name carries information — the system, the idea behind it and the region it belongs to:
| Part of the name | What it denotes |
|---|---|
| CCS | Combined Charging System — the name of the charging system itself, used worldwide |
| Combined | AC and DC charging combined in a single inlet on the car, instead of two separate ports |
| 1 | Built on the Type 1 AC connector — the round plug defined by SAE J1772 and standardised in North America |
The logic of the name is the logic of the hardware: each region numbered its DC system after the AC plug it already had. North America had Type 1, Europe had Type 2 — so the European version of the same system is CCS2, Combined Charging System Type 2. Our comparison of Type 2, J1772 and NACS connectors shows the two foundations side by side.
Combo 1 and Combo 2: The Same Names in Short Form
You will also meet CCS1 called “Combo 1” and CCS2 called “Combo 2” — in listings, network maps and older signage. They are not different standards or older generations: “Combo” is the short form of “combined connector”, numbered by its AC base. A fast charger listed as Combo 1 is offering the plug a North American CCS1 car needs.
The naming matters in one practical place: funded-infrastructure rules use the formal name. The U.S. NEVI rules in 23 CFR Part 680 require DC ports at funded corridor stations to provide CCS1 — so “CCS1” is the word to search in specifications and station data, even when the sticker on the charger says Combo 1.
The Wider Family of Connector Names
CCS1 sits in a small family of names built in different ways — acronyms, standard numbers, type numbers. Knowing which kind you are reading prevents most mix-ups:
| Name | What kind of name it is | What it names |
|---|---|---|
| CCS1 / CCS2 | System name + type number | The Combined Charging System on a Type 1 (North America) or Type 2 (Europe) base |
| J1772 | An SAE standard document number | North America’s Type 1 AC connector and its signalling |
| Type 2 | An IEC type number | The AC connector standardised in Europe, single- or three-phase |
| NACS | A descriptive acronym: North American Charging Standard | The compact AC/DC connector standardised as SAE J3400 |
| CHAdeMO | A coined name from its Japanese industry association | Japan’s DC fast-charging system, DC only |
| GB/T | A standards-series designation | China’s national-standard connectors for AC and DC charging |
None of these names is a brand. They are standards names — any manufacturer can build to one, so the name on a listing is a compatibility statement, not a badge of origin. How the CCS1 shape relates to a plain J1772 plug is covered in our article on whether J1772 works with CCS.
Where the Name Shows Up on EVDANCE Hardware
The name appears in our range wherever a product meets a CCS1 inlet. The JT08 NACS-to-CCS1 DC adapter (up to 500 A / 1000 V, IP66) and the JT09 NACS-to-CCS1 DC adapter with handle (up to 500 A, IP66) carry a CCS1 plug on the car side and take a NACS DC connector on the other, so an approved CCS1 car can charge at a NACS DC station. Two conditions always apply: the car maker must approve third-party DC adapters for that car, and the station must be open to that car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CCS1 the same as Combo 1?
Yes — the short form of the same name. Listings, maps and signage use the two interchangeably.
What does CCS2 stand for?
Combined Charging System Type 2 — the same system built on the Type 2 AC connector, used in Europe and other Type 2 markets. Its plugs do not fit CCS1 cars.
Is CCS1 a brand or a company?
Neither — it is the name of a standardised connector system that car, charger and adapter makers all build to.
Related Reading
- Does J1772 Work With CCS? CCS Connectors Explained
- What Is J1772? The North American EV Plug Explained
- Type 2 vs J1772 vs NACS: Which EV Charger Connector Does Your Market Need?
- Are EV Chargers Universal?
