EV Dongles: What Electric Vehicle Owners Need to Know

GM's Expanding Adapter Lineup for EV Charging

Approximately a year ago, General Motors initiated the sale of an adapter enabling existing electric vehicles to utilize Tesla Supercharger stalls equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs, a development welcomed by EV drivers seeking greater charging accessibility.

GM is now announcing the availability of three additional adapters. These supplementary adapters, designed to grant GM vehicle owners access to EV chargers featuring varying charging rates and standards, enhance flexibility, though potentially at the expense of simplicity. It is conceivable that households with multiple EVs could accumulate a collection of up to four distinct adapters.

The Shift from CCS to NACS

For several years, the majority of electric vehicle models sold in the United States adhered to the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard. An exception to this was Tesla.

In 2022, Tesla opened the design specifications for its charging connector and charge port – now designated the North American Charging Standard (NACS) – with the intention of encouraging network operators and other automakers to embrace the technology and establish it as the prevailing standard across North America.

This initiative has gained traction, with nearly all automakers now offering adapters to facilitate access to Tesla Supercharger stations. Furthermore, many are integrating the NACS design directly into their upcoming vehicle models.

“GM is already committed to transitioning our entire EV portfolio to NACS,” stated Tim Ash, Director of Hardware Products for GM Energy, in an interview with TechCrunch. “We firmly believe that adopting a unified standard will streamline the charging experience for our customers.”

However, this transition is creating a period of adjustment – and a proliferation of adapters.

A Growing Collection of Adapters

Alongside the existing NACS-to-CCS adapter for rapid charging, GM will introduce a NACS-to-J1772 adapter for Level 2 charging. (J1772 represents the component of the CCS plug that manages slower charging speeds.)

For future GM EVs equipped with native NACS ports, the company will provide both a J1772-to-NACS adapter for Level 2 charging and a CCS-to-NACS dongle for fast charging capabilities.

According to Ash, these new adapters “ensure that EV drivers – regardless of the charging type on their vehicle – can access virtually any charging station wherever they may be.”

This challenge extends beyond GM. Hyundai, for instance, offers NACS-equipped 2025 Ioniq 5 EVs accompanied by two adapters, one for Level 2 and another for fast charging at CCS-equipped stations. This situation signals that the shift between EV charging standards may initially increase complexity before ultimately improving the public charging landscape.

Practical Considerations for EV Drivers

For the majority of charging sessions currently, these adapters are unlikely to cause significant confusion. Most EV charging takes place at home or at work, where charging infrastructure is typically predictable.

However, when utilizing public charging networks, the situation could become more intricate. Drivers should proactively store the necessary adapters within their vehicles to avoid being stranded or inconvenienced. Those without a compatible charger at home may even consider purchasing duplicate adapters for added convenience, despite the fact that most adapters cost upwards of $200.

The Underlying Technical Challenges

Automakers are not solely responsible for the abundance of adapters. While CCS and NACS share similarities allowing for simple dongles for each charging speed, key differences hinder complete simplification.

NACS transmits electricity through two large pins irrespective of charging speed. Conversely, CCS utilizes one set of pins for Level 2 speeds and a different set for fast charging. Integrating both Level 2 and fast-charging functionality into a single charger would likely necessitate power electronics, substantially increasing the cost.

A Familiar Pattern of Connector Evolution

Disagreements surrounding new plug standards are not unprecedented. Apple has released iPhones utilizing three different connector types, even before the product’s 20^th anniversary.

However, the pace of innovation in consumer electronics is considerably faster than in the automotive industry, and the associated costs are significantly lower. A typical smartphone purchaser spends between $500 and $1,000 and replaces their device every two to three years. Dongles are priced around $30. The 30-pin dock cable from a 12-year-old iPhone 4 is largely forgotten.

The average car or light truck is not so readily replaced. New vehicle prices have risen to approximately $50,000, contributing to the fact that the average vehicle on U.S. roads is over 12 years old.

The Road Ahead

Automakers have begun the transition, but do not appear to be accelerating the process. To date, GM has announced two EVs that will incorporate the NACS charging standard: the 2026 Cadillac Optiq and the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt. The company has not yet established a firm timeline for migrating its remaining 12 EV models to the new standard.

In conclusion, drivers should prepare to adapt to the use of adapters. As Ash conceded, “this transition will take some time.”