EV Connectors & Inlets
Source CCS1/CCS2/NACS/Type 2 charging connectors and vehicle inlets from verified China OEMs. UL 2594 and IEC 62196 certified, 150A-250A DC rating, for EV manufacturers and charging station builders.
What is an EV Connector & Inlet?
An EV connector (also called a plug or cable-end connector) is the male interface at the end of a charging cable that inserts into the vehicle's charging port. An EV inlet (also called a receptacle or vehicle-side socket) is the female charging port integrated into the electric vehicle's body. Together, they form the physical and electrical interface for power transfer between charging station and vehicle battery.
The connector/inlet pair must meet strict safety and interoperability standards defined by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers, North America) or IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission, Europe/Global). For DC fast charging, CCS1(SAE J1772 Combo) dominates North America, CCS2 (IEC 62196-3) dominates Europe, and NACS (SAE J3400, formerly Tesla) is rapidly becoming the new North American standard post-2024. AC charging uses Type 1 (SAE J1772) in North America andType 2 (IEC 62196-2, Mennekes) in Europe/China.
Key technical requirements: current rating (16A-250A depending on AC/DC and power level), contact resistance(<0.5 milliohms for DC pins to minimize voltage drop), temperature rise(<50K above ambient at rated current per UL 2594),IP rating (IP54 minimum for outdoor use, IP67 for vehicle inlets), mechanical endurance (10,000 insertion/removal cycles without degradation), and retention force(connector must stay locked during charging but release with <100N pull force).
Vehicle inlet design involves additional complexity: integration with vehicle body panels (crash safety, aerodynamics), waterproofing (gaskets, drain channels), cable retention latch mechanism, and proximity detection circuitry. Cable-side plugsrequire strain relief for cable flexing, temperature sensors for thermal monitoring, and overcurrent protection circuits. High-power DC plugs (200A+) often integrate liquid cooling channels to prevent overheating during 30-minute fast-charging sessions.
When sourcing connectors/inlets from China OEMs, verify UL 2594 (North America DC), UL 2251 (North America AC),IEC 62196-3 (Europe DC), or IEC 62196-2 (Europe AC) certification. Request test reports showing temperature rise at rated current, dielectric withstand testing (2000V AC for 1 minute), and insertion/extraction force testing. For vehicle inlets, confirm IP67 rating and compatibility with OEM vehicle charge controller communication protocols (CAN bus, PLC).
Connector & Inlet Standards
| Connector Type | AC/DC | Current Rating | Target Market | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCS1 Inlet/Plug | DC Fast Charging | 150A-250A DC | North America | UL 2594 / SAE J1772 |
| CCS2 Inlet/Plug | DC Fast Charging | 150-200A DC | Europe/Global | IEC 62196-3 |
| NACS Inlet/Plug | AC/DC Combined | Up to 250A DC | North America | SAE J3400 |
| Type 1 (J1772) Inlet/Plug | AC Charging | 16A-32A AC | North America/Japan | SAE J1772 / UL 2251 |
| Type 2 (Mennekes) Inlet/Plug | AC Charging | 16A-63A AC | Europe/China | IEC 62196-2 |
| CHAdeMO Inlet/Plug | DC Fast Charging | Up to 200A DC | Japan/Legacy | CHAdeMO Protocol |
Use Cases & Applications
EV Manufacturer Integration
Vehicle OEMs integrating charging inlets into new EV models. Requires SAE/IEC compliance, crash testing, and IP67 waterproofing.
Typical Requirements:
Vehicle inlet: CCS1/CCS2/NACS, IP67 rating, vibration resistance, -40°C to +85°C operation, 10,000+ cycle endurance
Charging Station Manufacturing
EVSE manufacturers building DC fast chargers or AC wallbox units. Cable-side connectors (plugs) must meet UL/IEC standards.
Typical Requirements:
Cable plug: UL 2594 (DC) or UL 2251 (AC), temperature sensors, strain relief, contact resistance <0.5mΩ
Replacement Parts & Repair
Replacement inlets for damaged vehicle charge ports, or replacement plugs for worn charging cables. Must match OEM specifications.
Typical Requirements:
OEM-compatible pin configuration, same current rating, proper gasket/seal design, certification documentation
Ready to Source EV Connectors?
Get matched with verified OEMs offering UL/IEC certified connectors and inlets. Free service, 48-hour turnaround.
OEM Customization Services
Connector Types
- CCS1/CCS2 DC plugs
- NACS DC plugs
- Type 1/Type 2 AC plugs
- Vehicle inlets (all types)
Current Ratings
- AC: 16A-63A
- DC: 100A-150A
- DC: 150A-200A
- DC: 200A-250A
Custom Features
- Housing color/branding
- Cable strain relief design
- Temperature sensors
- Liquid cooling channels
Certification Support
- UL 2594/2251 testing
- IEC 62196 compliance
- SAE J3400 validation
- Test report translation
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an inlet and a plug?
An inlet (also called receptacle or socket) is the vehicle-side connector—the female port built into the EV. A plug (or connector) is the cable-side male connector that inserts into the inlet. Both must meet the same standard (e.g., CCS1) but are physically reversed.
Can I use a CCS2 inlet on a vehicle designed for North America?
Technically possible but not recommended. CCS2 inlets require AC pins compatible with 400V 3-phase (Europe), while North America uses 240V split-phase. You'd also need CCS2-compatible vehicle charge controller firmware. Stick with CCS1 for North America unless building a global-market vehicle.
Why are NACS connectors becoming standard in North America?
Tesla's NACS (SAE J3400) is smaller, handles both AC and DC in one connector, and Tesla has 50,000+ Superchargers already deployed. Ford, GM, Rivian adopted NACS in 2023-2024. By 2025, most new North American EVs will use NACS instead of CCS1.
How do I verify a connector's UL or IEC certification?
Check UL Product iQ database (database.ul.com) for UL 2594/2251 certs. For IEC 62196, request test reports from TUV/SGS showing temperature rise testing, dielectric withstand (2000V), and mechanical endurance (10,000 insertions). Don't accept photos—verify file numbers in official databases.
What's the MOQ and lead time for custom connector orders?
Vehicle inlets: 500-1,000 units MOQ, $45-$120 FOB, 35-45 days (requires mold setup). Cable plugs: 200-500 units MOQ, $80-$180 FOB, 30-40 days. UL/IEC testing adds 8-12 weeks if not pre-certified. Sample orders (5-10 units): 10-14 days.
Can OEMs customize connector pin configurations?
No. Pin layout is defined by SAE/IEC standards and cannot be modified—doing so breaks interoperability and safety compliance. You can customize housing color, branding, cable strain relief, and gasket materials, but electrical pin configuration must match the standard exactly.
Source EV Connectors from Verified OEMs
Submit your requirements and get matched with 2-3 UL/IEC certified connector manufacturers. Free service, 48-hour turnaround.