Which one should you choose for your electric vehicle?

The world of electric vehicles is evolving at an impressive pace. And since Tesla opened its NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector to the entire industry, many drivers are wondering:
Which charging station should I choose — J1772 or NACS?

In this article, we review the differences between these two standards, the vehicles compatible today, and those that will soon adopt NACS.

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⚙️ 1. Understanding the two connectors

🔸 The J1772 connector

The J1772 , also called Type 1 , is the historical North American standard for level 2 (240 V) charging.
This is the one found on the vast majority of electric vehicles sold in Canada for over ten years.

• Universally compatible (except Tesla, without adapter)
• Reliable and proven over time
• Supported by almost all residential and public charging stations

Vehicles compatible with J1772:
Chevrolet Bolt / Volt, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona / Ioniq 5 / Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 / Niro EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E (until 2024), BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Lexus NX450h+, and the majority of non-Tesla electric models currently on the market.

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🔸 The NACS connector (Tesla)

NACS , for North American Charging Standard , is the connector created by Tesla and now adopted by several other manufacturers.

This connector is distinguished by its compactness , ease of use , and ability to handle AC and DC charging in a single port — eliminating the need for two separate connectors.

Since 2023, Tesla has opened up NACS to the industry, and more and more brands are confirming their gradual transition.

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🚘 2. Which manufacturers are switching to NACS?

Here are the announcements confirmed to date (October 2025):

• Tesla — all models: Model 3, Y, S, X ✅
• Ford — Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning (from 2025)
• General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC) — NACS integration starting in 2025
• Rivian — R1T, R1S (starting in 2025)
• Volvo / Polestar — EX30, EX90 (from 2025)
• Mercedes-Benz — adoption confirmed from 2025
• Hyundai / Kia — several 2025-2026 models (including Hyundai IONIQ and Kia EV9)
• Honda/Acura — via partnership with GM, adoption in 2025-2026

⚠️ Important:
NACS port availability depends on the specific model , year , and sometimes market (Canada/USA) .
Some 2025 vehicles will still offer a CCS port with a NACS adapter, while others already integrate it directly.

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⚖️ 3. Technical differences between J1772 and NACS

Important note: The J1772 supports up to 80 A (≈ 19.2 kW AC) when used with a suitable charging station and electrical installation (circuit, circuit breaker, wiring). The 48 A limit is common in residential settings, but it is not the standard limit.

Characteristic	J1772 (Type 1)	NACS (Tesla)
Type of recharge	Level 2 (AC)	AC + DC
Maximum AC current	80 A (≈ 19.2 kW)	80 A (≈ 19.2 kW)
Connector size	Wider	More compact
Standardization	SAE J1772	Officially adopted by SAE in 2024
Compatibility	All non-Tesla vehicles	Tesla + new 2025+ models
Adapter available	Yes (towards NACS)	Yes (around J1772)
Terminal availability	Very high	Growing rapidly

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🧠 4. Which charging station should I choose today?

The choice depends on your current vehicle and your future plans:

• If you own a non-Tesla vehicle, the J1772 charging station remains the most logical choice — 100% compatible and upgradeable thanks to a NACS adapter.
• If you plan to buy a 2025-2026 model (Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Polestar, etc.), a charging station with a NACS connector is an excellent long-term choice.

Good news:
The KENI Recharge station is available in two versions — J1772 and NACS — to meet all needs.

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⚡ 5. Why choose the KENI Recharge station?

• J1772 or NACS connector, your choice
• Adjustable power: 32 A / 40 A / 48 A (80 A option available depending on configuration)
• IP65 / NEMA 4 rating, perfect for the North American climate
• Cable resistant down to -40 °C
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID and OCPP 1.6J protocol
• Full mobile application
• 3-year warranty
• Eligible for the Roulez Vert grant ($600)

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🏁 6. Conclusion

The J1772 remains the most common and compatible standard in Canada today, and it can reach 80 A (≈ 19.2 kW) when the installation allows. NACS is rapidly establishing itself as the future of charging in North America.

With the KENI Recharge station , you don't have to choose: it's already ready for both worlds .