Status of CHAdeMO charging in Europe
In this edition, we will examine the evolution of the CHAdeMO connector, its current market share, usage trends and the general shift toward CCS as the preferred charging standard in Europe.
At Gireve, we are at the heart of the EV charging industry, empowering CPOs and eMSPs with our seamless roaming platform. Combining marketplace technologies, transaction processing, and data management, our mission is to support stakeholders and accelerate their transition to electric mobility on a global scale.
But we don’t stop there; we process and enrich data on charging stations and driver behaviors. We offer insightful analysis and strategic consulting. We believe that this wealth of information will shape the future of mobility, making it sustainable, innovative, and accessible to all.
This is why we’re sharing a series of insights learned from our data, to foster discussions and learn together.
We are happy to present our monthly publication related to our Data and Consulting department: Beyond EV Charging
Executive Summary
The CHAdeMO connector was one of the first to support EV fast charging. However, it has lost ground in Europe as car and charger manufacturers have adopted CCS for new EV models and stations. Initially essential for early EVs like the Nissan Leaf, CHAdeMO’s growth slowed over the years. Today, it represents less than 30% of connectors across all European regions and less than 15% of newly installed fast chargers. This market shift is confirmed by many recent announcements in Europe. CHAdeMO remains relevant for its V2G capability and is important in Asian markets, with the latest protocol versions ensuring compatibility with the Chinese GB/T protocol. While many still consider CHAdeMO, Europe’s charging infrastructure is increasingly focused on CCS, and CHAdeMO is expected to phase out gradually.
Introduction
The CHAdeMO connector was developed in 2010 to support long-distance EV charging. It was designed to provide drivers with a quick and efficient charging break. The name itself reflects this promise: CHAdeMO is short for “charge for moving” and is a pun for a Japanese phrase meaning “let’s have a cup of tea while charging”. CHAdeMO initially offered DC (direct current) fast charging capabilities, providing up to 62.5 kW, enabling vehicles to charge up to 80% in about 30 minutes.
The standard has evolved, increasing the maximum available power. It now offers up to 400 kW in its latest versions, with the potential to reach 900 kW, thanks to a partnership with China ensuring compatibility with the GB/T protocol. In contrast, CCS offers a charging speed of up to 400 kW.
CHAdeMO played a crucial role in supporting early Japanese EV models entering the European market. Initially adopted by vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and Citroën C-Zero, CHAdeMO made fast charging widely accessible at a time when other standards were still emerging. This compatibility allowed Japanese automakers to secure a significant share of the early European EV market, with around 20,000 Nissan Leaf sold in France between 2015 and 2021. Today, while vehicles with CHAdeMO connectors are still in use, new European EV models now feature CCS connectors.
In recent years, CCS has overtaken CHAdeMO in Europe, though CHAdeMO remains relevant for applications like V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology. We analyzed our data to explore the development of CHAdeMO connectors on charging stations in Europe and to highlight the key trends surrounding its current situation.
Connector evolution
Between 2017 and 2023, the installation of CHAdeMO connectors in Europe increased by around 35% annually. This is slower compared to the 80% growth of all connectors combined. The slowdown is due to the adoption of CCS by OEMs, consumers, and charger manufacturers. Since 2023, Allego has been installing only CCS chargers at new locations. Many other CPOs are also considering phasing out CHAdeMO. However, the goal remains to provide access to both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors at stations, as GRIDSERVE stated in 2024. In a 2020 interview, Thomas Chrétien, Nissan’s Europe Marketing Manager, said Nissan chose CCS for their Ariya model to appeal to more EU drivers.
This trend is also visible in the US. Many CPOs, such as Electrify America, have stopped installing CHAdeMO connectors at new sites. They cite low usage and the widespread adoption of CCS among newer EV models.
In response to this decline, CHAdeMO has developed an adapter to maintain charger versatility. CHAdeMO 3.0-compliant vehicles are compatible with current DC fast charging standards, including GB/T and possibly CCS.
Share of connectors
CHAdeMO’s market share has steadily declined. It now accounts for less than 30% of connectors across all European regions and less than 15% of newly installed fast chargers. Europe’s support for CCS, along with OEMs adopting CCS in newer EV models, has shifted infrastructure priorities toward a standardized charging experience.
In regions with historically high CHAdeMO installations, like France and Germany, providers have reduced new CHAdeMO deployments. They now favor CCS-only installations. In France, legislation updated in May 2021 removed the obligation for public high-power stations to include CHAdeMO. It now requires only Type 2 and Combo2 connectors for high-power charging. This change is part of a Europe-wide effort to streamline charging options, simplify access for users, and improve station power capabilities.
Evolution of use rates
Charge points with CHAdeMO connectors have much lower usage compared to CCS. Recent data from charging networks shows that CHAdeMO-equipped points are used up to 85% less than those without.
In 2024, CHAdeMO accounted for only 4.4% of total charging sessions. This marks a significant decline as more EV drivers shift to CCS-compatible models.
Despite the drop in demand, some European charging stations still support CHAdeMO through multi-connector setups. These stations typically offer two CCS connectors and one CHAdeMO, like PowerGo in Denmark in September 2024. This dual configuration helps legacy EVs while prioritizing CCS for most users. It aligns with Europe’s evolving infrastructure needs. However, as EV adoption grows, CHAdeMO is expected to phase out gradually. CCS is becoming the exclusive standard at newer fast-charging stations across Europe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CHAdeMO helped build fast-charging infrastructure for early EVs in Europe. However, its relevance is fading as the industry and policymakers standardize around CCS. It still plays a role through adapters and multi-connector stations. This shows a commitment to supporting older models while adapting to dominant market practices. The standard is still relevant for V2G use cases. However, it will likely phase out in Europe. CCS is developing V2H/V2G capabilities and is becoming the preferred standard for future charging networks in Europe.
