What does CCS stand for in electric-car fast charging?

In electric-car fast charging, CCS stands for Combined Charging System.

CCS is a charging standard that combines conventional AC charging connections with additional pins for high-power DC charging. This lets one vehicle inlet support both everyday AC charging and rapid charging from a DC station, rather than requiring entirely separate sockets.

The system is available in regional versions. Combo 1 combines the North American Type 1 connector with two DC pins, while Combo 2 combines the European Type 2 connector with the same basic DC extension concept. The charging connector is only one part of CCS; the standard also covers communication and control between the vehicle and charging equipment.

CCS is often confused with CHAdeMO, GB/T, or NACS, which are competing or alternative charging systems. “Combined” describes the integration of AC and DC charging capabilities in one vehicle-side inlet. It does not mean that alternating and direct current are delivered simultaneously during one charging session.