CHAdeMO is the Japanese-developed charging connector whose name comes from “CHArge de MOve.”
CHAdeMO was created for direct-current fast charging of battery-electric vehicles. The association behind the standard was formed by Japanese companies including Tokyo Electric Power Company, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, Fuji Heavy Industries, and Toyota. The first public CHAdeMO chargers appeared in Japan in 2010.
The connector became especially common on early Japanese electric cars, including the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. It carries high-voltage direct current to the battery and uses separate communication connections so the vehicle and charger can control the session safely.
CHAdeMO is often confused with CCS, which became a major competing fast-charging system in Europe and North America. CHAdeMO also differs from ordinary AC charging connectors because the conversion from grid AC to battery DC is handled by the external fast charger rather than solely by the car’s onboard charger. Newer versions support bidirectional charging, including vehicle-to-grid applications.