CHAdeMO is featuring connecting devices, consisting of a connector on the charger side and an inlet on the vehicle side. They have been designed to ensure the optimal balance between ergonomics performance, simplicity, and charging capability.

The connector interface is round-shaped and measuring 70 mm in diameter, which directly translates into the size of the connector that comes into the users’ hand.

The dedicated DC inlet design allows CHAdeMO to keep the weight of coupler light assuming customers’ everyday use.

The connector is manufactured and distributed by various global suppliers that have gone through extensive testing processes and years of design and developement before the market deployment. CHAdeMO compatible vehicles utilize Type 1 or Type 2 connector (IEC62196-2) for AC normal charging, depending on the local standards.

It is a common practice in electrical equipment industry to differentiate the geometry of the connecting interface when higher power level is required. CHAdeMO follows this practice knowing that dedicated connectors for different type of electricity are the industry wisdom to avoid any confusion by customers.

Using a single connector combining both AC normal charging and DC fast charging could have meant a smaller geometry on the vehicle side, but might not result in the compact connector held by customers. The independent AC and DC inlets on vehicle side of CHAdeMO, contrary to what has been said, have a clear advantage of allowing a flexible vehicle design, including a setting up on each side or at the front of the vehicle.