What to Know About a J1772 (J Plug)

If you’re thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), like so many drivers are today, you may have heard of the J1772 Plug, also known as the J Plug. A J Plug is a connector that’s used for charging EVs. But which EVs can it be used to charge? Here’s what you need to know about the J1772 (J Plug) and how it works to charge most EVs on the road today.

What Is a J1772 (J Plug)?

A J1772 (J Plug) is a standard charging connector for electric vehicles. The J Plug, also known as the SAE J1772 connector, is universally used at all non-Tesla Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations in North America. All EV manufacturers, except Tesla, use the J Plug for charging. Tesla drivers can also use a J Plug, as long as they have a Tesla connector adaptor.

Can I Charge my EV with a J1772 (J Plug)?

Yes. All EVs need a charger in order to power up for driving. Instead of a gas pump and gasoline, EVs rely on a charging cable and electricity. In North America, the standard charger connector for EVs is the J1772 (J Plug). All the EVs sold in this market use the standard J Plug for charging, except for Teslas. However, Tesla owners can use charging stations that offer J Plug charging if they have a J Plug adaptor. Otherwise, they must use a Tesla charger for charging their vehicle.

What Charging Stations Use a J1772 (J Plug)?

In North America, every Level 1 or Level 2 charging station, except those made by Tesla, uses a J1772 (J Plug). While Teslas have a different connector, these drivers can charge their EVs at non-Tesla stations by using a Tesla connector adaptor. However, electric vehicles manufactured by other automakers cannot use Tesla’s Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 stations, as they do not feature a J1772 (J Plug).

Level 3 chargers provide extremely fast charging functionality because they use direct current (DC). Cars that use a J1772 (J Plug) can only use a Level 3 charger if it features a Combined Charging System (CCS) Connector. The CCS Connector uses the J1772 charging inlet and adds two pins below for high-speed charging. Cars with a J Plug cannot use Tesla’s Level 3 chargers, also known as Superchargers, because they use a proprietary connector unique to Teslas.

Can I Charge My EV with a J1772 J Plug at Home?

Yes. Every Level 1 or Level 2 charger, aside from those manufactured by Tesla, use a J1772 (J Plug). Because Level 1 or Level 2 chargers are installed for home charging stations, you can rely on the J1772 (J Plug) to charge your vehicle while at your residence. Universally used in North America, the J plug allows for convenient charging at home or at commercial charging stations that are not exclusive Tesla charging stations.

The J1772 (J Plug)

The J1772 (J plug) is the standard North American charger connector for EVs, besides Teslas. Tesla manufactures its own connectors for exclusive use with Tesla vehicles. Non-Tesla vehicles cannot use Tesla chargers to power their vehicles, as they use a proprietary connector, not the J1772 (J Plug). However, Tesla drivers can still use J plug connectors to power their vehicles if they have the right adaptor.

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