What type of charger does a Chevy Volt take?

The Chevy Volt uses an SAE J1772 charging connector for AC charging and supports both Level 1 (120V) and Level 2 (240V) charging. It does not support DC fast charging. In short: it takes the standard J1772 AC charger, with no DC charging capability.

Connector and charging basics

Understanding the charging connector and the two common AC charging levels helps explain how the Volt recharges. The Volt relies on the SAE J1772 (Type 1) plug for all its AC charging sessions, and the speed depends on whether you’re plugged into a standard household outlet or a dedicated 240V charging station.

• Level 1 charging (120V): Uses a standard household outlet with a portable EVSE; slow charging, typically suitable for topping up while you’re at home or away from faster options.


• Level 2 charging (240V): Requires a 240V circuit and an EVSE; significantly faster than Level 1 and commonly used for daily charging at home or at public charging stations.

For most Volt owners, Level 2 charging offers the practical balance of speed and convenience, while Level 1 remains a useful option when Level 2 isn’t available.

DC fast charging and the Volt

Unlike some newer electric cars, the Volt does not support DC fast charging and does not have a CCS or CHAdeMO port. Charging to the battery is done via the AC path through the J1772 connector and the onboard AC charger.

Practical details

Additional details about where to plug in, what’s included with the car, and how charging works in daily use.

• Port location and connector: The charging port is SAE J1772 and is typically accessed on the front-left area of the vehicle behind a small door.


• Onboard charger: The Volt’s onboard AC charger handles converting AC from the charging station to the battery; charging speed depends on the charger’s rating and the available power from the EVSE.

In everyday use, most Volt drivers rely on Level 2 charging at home or at public stations for faster replenishment, with Level 1 serving as a slower backup option when needed.

Summary

Final takeaway: The Chevy Volt accepts the SAE J1772 (Type 1) AC charging standard for Level 1 and Level 2 charging and does not support DC fast charging. For quickest daily charging, use Level 2 charging at home or at compatible public stations; Level 1 remains an option for brief or occasional charging when a Level 2 connection isn’t available.

What charger does a Chevy Volt use?

Your Chevrolet Volt uses a Type 1 Plug and has a Maximum Charge Rate of 7.4kW (Single Phase 32 amp).

Can a Chevy Volt use a Tesla charging station?

Yes, you can charge a Chevy Volt at a Tesla station, but you will need a GM-approved adapter for Superchargers and should only charge at compatible V3 or later Superchargers. Destination chargers are compatible with a J1772 adapter for AC charging, while Superchargers require a NACS DC adapter and can be accessed through the myChevrolet app. Note that older Volts lack DC fast charging capability and will only charge at a slower AC rate. 
For Supercharging (DC Fast Charging)

• What you'll need: A GM-approved NACS DC adapter and the myChevrolet mobile app. 
• Compatibility: Only compatible with V3 or later Superchargers. 
• How to use:
  1. Activate your account: Use the myChevrolet app to activate your access to the Tesla Supercharger network and add a payment method. 
  2. Locate a compatible station: Use the myChevrolet app, Plug Share, or Chargeway to find a compatible V3 or later Supercharger. The Tesla app may also be used with your adapter, but some users have reported issues with their vehicles appearing in the app. 
  3. Park strategically: Park your vehicle so the charging cable can reach, which might mean parking in the space next to or behind the charger. 
  4. Plug in: Connect the NACS DC adapter to the Tesla cable, and then plug the adapter into your Volt's charging port. 
  5. Start charging: Your charging session should begin automatically through the app. You can monitor the progress in the myChevrolet app. 
• Important: The Volt's maximum DC fast-charging rate is much slower than the Supercharger's potential, so the charging will be limited by your vehicle. 

For Destination Charging (AC Level 2)

• What you'll need: A Tesla to J1772 adapter (also known as a Tesla Tap or similar).
• Compatibility: Compatible with Tesla Destination Chargers (the AC charging stations, not Superchargers).
• How to use: Connect the adapter to the Tesla charger and then plug it into your Volt's J1772 port. 

Key considerations for older models

• No DC Fast Charging: The 2015 and earlier Chevy Volt models lack the ability to DC fast charge. They can only charge at AC (Level 1 or 2) speeds, even at a Supercharger with the right adapter. 
• Slower Charging: If you are using a V3 Supercharger with an adapter, your Volt will charge at the maximum AC level 2 speed (around 3.63.63.6 kW) instead of DC fast charging speeds. 
• Use Destination Chargers: It is often more practical to use a Destination Charger with a J1772 adapter for AC charging. 

Are CCS and J1772 the same?

No, CCS and J1772 are not the same, but they are related: J1772 is the standard for AC charging, while CCS is a combination of J1772 for AC charging plus additional pins for faster DC fast charging. J1772 is used for standard AC charging at home or public stations, while CCS is a larger, more versatile connector designed for both AC and high-speed DC charging on long trips.
 
J1772

• What it is: A standard connector for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging.
• Function: Transmits AC power to the vehicle's onboard charger.
• Appearance: A 5-pin connector.
• Speed: Up to 19.2 kW.
• Use: Ideal for overnight or slower charging, commonly found in homes and public AC charging stations. 

CCS (Combined Charging System) 

• What it is: An extension of J1772 that adds DC fast charging capabilities. 
• Function: Supports both AC and DC charging through a single connector. 
• Appearance: A J1772 connector with two large DC pins added below it, for a total of seven pins. 
• Speed: Supports much faster DC charging, with speeds up to 350 kW or more. 
• Use: Designed for fast charging at public stations, which is crucial for long-distance travel. 

Key takeaway
A vehicle with a CCS port can still use a standard J1772 plug for AC charging, because the J1772 connector is integrated into the CCS design. However, a vehicle with only a J1772 port cannot use a CCS DC fast charger without an adapter.

Is type 2 the same as ccs?

Short for Combined Charging System, a CCS plug utilises the same socket as the Type 2 plug, but features an additional two prongs that allow direct current (DC) to be delivered to the car. This allows for much faster charging than can be provided by an AC Type 2 socket.