Before you choose a home charger, you need to know which connector your electric vehicle uses. The connector determines the plug on the charger's cable, and a mismatch can mean an adapter, a return, or a delay in installation. Fortunately, there are three reliable ways to check, and each takes only a few minutes. This article walks through them and explains what to do with the answer.
Look at the charge port
The charge port is the opening on the vehicle where the charging plug goes. It is usually on the front fender, a side panel, or the rear of the car, and it is often covered by a flap or door. Open it and look at the shape of the opening and the pins inside.
A standard AC port for J1772 is round and has several pin openings. A NACS port is noticeably smaller and has a different shape. Some combined ports include two larger pins beside the round section. Those larger pins are used for DC fast charging, and they do not change which AC connector your home charger needs. If you are unsure what you are looking at, the next two checks will settle it.
Check the owner's manual
The owner's manual lists the charging equipment the vehicle supports, including the AC connector type, the maximum onboard charging rate, and any guidance on adapters. Search the index for charging, charge port, or charging connector. If you bought the car used and the manual is missing, the manufacturer's website usually hosts digital copies, and a dealer service department can confirm the connector for your model year.
Check the cable that came with the car
Many electric vehicles came with a portable charging cable, sometimes called a mobile connector. The end of that cable that plugs into the car matches the vehicle's inlet. If that end is round with a latch and several pins, it is a J1772 connector. If it is a different shape, it is likely NACS or another type. Compare it with the photos in the manual or the port you found on the car, and keep the cable's paperwork if you have it.
Why the answer matters for a home charger
The connector on your home charger must match your car's inlet unless you use an adapter. The charger's power rating does not override the car's own limit, so the car's onboard charging rate also matters. A 48 amp charger will not speed up a car whose onboard charger tops out lower. Confirm the maximum AC rate in the manual before you compare chargers on power alone.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming all electric vehicles use the same plug.
- Confusing the DC fast-charging section of a port with the AC connector.
- Buying a charger before checking the onboard charging rate.
- Ordering a charger with the wrong connector and planning on an adapter without checking its rating.
How this applies to EVIQO chargers
Once you know your connector, choose the matching group. EVIQO sells three J1772 options: a 40 amp model that can be installed as a plug-in unit or hardwired at 48 amps, a 48 amp hardwired model, and a 40 amp NEMA 14-50 plug-in model. EVIQO also sells two NACS options: a 48 amp hardwired model and a 40 amp NEMA 14-50 plug-in model. Each of the five chargers has a 25 ft cable and a 3-year warranty, and a 4-year extended warranty is available for an additional charge.