What Is CCS (Combined Charging System)?

CCS (Combined Charging System) is the connector standard that combines AC and DC charging pins in a single plug, so one connector on the vehicle can accept both slow AC charging and high-power DC fast charging. It's the standard fitted to nearly every EV, van, bus, and HGV sold in the UK and Europe today.

One Connector, Two Charging Types

CCS adds two large DC pins beneath the standard AC pins of the regional Type 2 (Europe/UK) or J1772 (North America) connector. A vehicle can plug into a slow AC charger using only the top pins, or a DC fast charger using all of them, without needing a different port or connector for each.

CCS1 vs. CCS2

The two aren't physically interchangeable. A UK depot fitting out for a mixed international fleet needs to confirm CCS2 compatibility, or budget for adapters, rather than assuming a single connector spec works everywhere.

Why It Matters for HGV and Bus Depots

Since CCS2 is near-universal across UK commercial EVs, it's rarely a decision point in itself, standardisation has mostly solved the interoperability problem. Where it does matter is confirming that high-power HGV charging hardware supports the full current and voltage range a fleet's vehicles need, since CCS defines the connector, not the power delivered through it.

Neutron's Hardware

Our Fleet DC Charging range uses CCS2 connectors across all DC terminals, satellite units, and master systems, matching the standard fitted to the overwhelming majority of UK commercial EVs.

What's the difference between CCS1 and CCS2?

CCS1 is used in North America, built on the J1772 AC connector. CCS2 is used across the UK and Europe, built on the Type 2 AC connector. Both add two DC pins beneath the AC pins, but the connector shapes aren't interchangeable, so a vehicle or charger built for one region needs an adapter to use the other.

Do all EVs use CCS?

Nearly all EVs sold in the UK and Europe today use CCS2, including cars, vans, buses, and HGVs. A small number of older or non-standard vehicles use other connector types, which is why depot operators should confirm connector compatibility across a mixed fleet before finalising a charger order.