Do You Really Need EV Charging Adapters? Tesla, Non-Tesla Owners

Electric Cars
Updated On - February 1, 2024

To start off and in short, Yes it’s a good decision to have one. It’s highly convenient with an EV charging adapter available in the car.

An EV charging adapter allows you to connect your electric vehicle to a different type of charging station than the one on your vehicle.

The demand for EV charging adapters is rising due to the expansion of charging infrastructure networks, government initiatives towards the adoption of EV vehicles, and the rapidly flourishing automobile industry.

Installing a home EV charger is becoming popular among owners living in areas with underdeveloped charging infrastructure or away from public charging ports.

However, home chargers are expensive and hinder the growth of the home EV charging adapter market.

Now get into some interesting information about EV charging adapters.

Let’s get started!

EV Charging Adapters Market Stats

The EV charging adapter market is projected to reach 4392.8 Million by 2030.

The momentous push behind electrification of transportation begs crucial questions about how to build a charging infrastructure and how to enter the EV charging market.

According to a PwC analysis, the EV charging market will need to grow tenfold by 2030 to satisfy the charging needs of 27 million EVs.

The EV infrastructure market is projected to grow to $100B by 2040. Charge Point Operators will generate most of the revenue through integrated turn-key solutions.

According to this study, the fastest-growing charging segment will be at-work, and apartment buildings will be another fast-growing segment, with companies expected to build charging points into the design of new buildings or retrofit infrastructure in existing buildings.

In July 2022, the government of Ireland announced a number of new subsidies and initiatives to support the transition to electric vehicles. This will increase demand for home chargers.

Tesla is trying to make the new industry standard for electric-vehicle charging.

Tesla is offering overnight home charging for $25 a month in Texas, and Powerwall owners can earn $200 to $500 a year by discharging electricity to the grid.

The market for battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, and others is segmented based on application.

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle segment is expected to witness highest CAGR over the forecast period.

What are EV Charging Adapters?

Before we dive in. Let’s understand EV charging adapters.

EV charging adapters is a small hardware. Allows EV owners to use different types of charging stations.

The reason they are necessary is because not all charging stations and connectors for EVs are the same. So you will need EV charging plug is the connector that is inserted into the charging socket.

Let's Talk About Adapters Benefits

First thing first, is convenience. This opens the door for EV owners to charge at any charging stations.

Another important benefit is using faster charging stations with using the adapters.

There is the portability factor as well which makes it available at anytime and location.

How To Choose The Right EV Adapter Among So Many Options?

It’s overwhelming for sure. But let’s make it simple.

In North America most Non-Tesla EVs use same plug for level 2 charging. That’s J1772 plug.

Tesla’s come with an adapter so you can use other charging stations other than Tesla superchargers.

In Europe, most EVs use type 2 standard which come with locking mechanism and compatible with all 3 phases of car battery. Type 2 CCS (combination Charging System) plugs have two more pins at the bottom so can support power supply up to 350 kW. They are most popular type of DC connector.

It’s true but some older hybrid cars are still using the type 1 connectors.

In China, the GB / T plug is being the most used plug.

In Asia, the CHAdeMO connector is used by Asian automakers. Capable of giving up to 62.5 kW of power and can recharge the battery from 0% to 80% in 30 minutes.

With the CHAdeMO standard, some electric cars like Nissan and Mitsubishi still use it even though it’s not standardized in EU.

Popular Brands of EV Charging Adapters Compatible With Multiple Ports

Keeping all this in mind, here are some of the popular brands that have EV adapters.

Tesla

Tesla has many charging adapters. Make Tesla cars compatible with different types of connectors.

SAE J1772 Charging Adapter

For Tesla owners to charge from most level 2 public charging stations with a J1772 connector.

With the price of $50.

Gen 2 NEMA Adapter

For using different household outlets to charge Tesla. Attach your adapter to the mobile connector and plug it into the corresponding outlet.

With the price of $35 to $45.

CCS Combo 1 Adapter

For Tesla owners that want to expand their fast charging option. It’s compatible with Tesla Model S, X, and 3.

With the price of $175.

Lectron EV

Lectron EV is a brand that has many different EV charging adapters that are compatible with different connectors.

NACS Lectron charger adapter is a type of charging adapter that is designed to connect J1772 vehicles to Tesla chargers. They call it Female NACS to J1772 Male charging adapter.

NACS long form is North American Charging Standard.

Lectron also has a 20-foot J1772 extension cable with compatibility of level 1 and level 2 chargers. The cable is flexible to extend and charge easily. Looking at durability of cable, it is made of materials like ABS plastic and is waterproof.

The cable is capable to support up to 40A charging.

It’s very easy to connect. Simply connect to hear a click.

The 20-foot extension cable is around $200 and the adapter is about $160.

ENVE

A brand with specialization in producing carbon fiber products, like bike wheels and components.

That’s said ENVE also makes an EV charging adapter that is compatible with SAE J1772 chargers.

- Compatible with Tesla Model 3, Y, S, X
- Max of 80A and 240V AC
- Colors are midnight silver and black
- Price is $50

Seguma

Seguma is a brand that produces EV car adapters.

The Seguma J1772 to Tesla adapter is one of the products.

- Compatible with all Tesla Models
- Max 80A and 240V
- Price at $40

ShockFlo

ShockFlo has an adapter that converts CCS1 to Tesla so Tesla owners can charge their car in non-Tesla fast charging stations such as Electrify America.

- Compatible with all Tesla models
- Max of 150-200 kW power
- Easy to use
- Price at around $150

LaTough

The LaTough is another EV charging adapter brand.

The CCS to Tesla adapter allows using Tesla cars to charge at level 3 fast charging stations.

- Supports up to 250 kW
- Price at $200

Some Issues With EV Charging Adapter You May Encounter

There are some issues that you may come across with the adapters.

The first common issues is connection. Many factors contributes in that like loose connection, dirty or corroded contacts or damage cables.

Corrosion is another one. This can be due to water ingress.

Slow charging sometimes can be caused with different sources like network connectivity or low power supply.

Some EV charging adapters overheat and that’s a problem.

If its hot to touch or if there is a temperature readout and its above the normal or charger/cord is hot, these are all the signs you should be watching for in adapter.