CCS charging cables — Combined Charging System (Combo 2 in the UK) — are the rapid DC standard for almost every modern EV sold in Europe. They handle DC fast charging up to 350kW on suitable hardware. They're tethered to the rapid charger itself: you don't carry a CCS cable. This page is for installers, fleet operators and DC charger owners.
What CCS is
CCS — Combined Charging System — is the European DC fast-charging standard. The "Combo 2" variant adds two large DC pins below a standard Type 2 connector, sharing the same handshake protocol as Type 2 AC charging but delivering DC current directly to the battery. Maximum power 350kW on current production stations; some 800V architecture EVs (Hyundai Ioniq 5/6, Kia EV6/9, Porsche Taycan) can accept 230-270kW continuous.
CCS is the DC connector for: Tesla (post-2019 UK), BMW, VW Group (VW, Audi, Skoda, Cupra), Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Polestar, Volvo, Ford, Mini, MG, BYD — basically every modern UK EV. The exception is older Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which use CHAdeMO — and is being phased out.
Why CCS cables aren't a consumer product
Public DC rapid stations have CCS cables tethered to the post itself. You don't carry your own — you use the cable that's there. So a "CCS cable" is something installers, fleet operators and DC charger owners buy, not something a typical EV owner needs.
If you're a typical UK EV owner shopping for a "fast cable to take on long journeys," what you actually need is to plan rapid stops along your route — your Type 2 cable stays in the boot for hotel and destination AC charging.
Who buys CCS cables
- DC rapid charger operators — replacement cables for damaged tethered cables on existing stations. Tesla Supercharger, BP Pulse, Ionity, Gridserve etc. all need replacement cables periodically.
- Fleet depots with DC chargers — taxi fleets, last-mile delivery, fleet operators running 50-150kW DC at depot.
- EV-charger installers — replacement parts for service repairs across operator networks.
- Workshop / dealership service — diagnostic cables for rapid-charge fault-finding.
Cable specifications
CCS cables are heavy, expensive and short by design (typically 3-5m). Specs:
- Power rating: 50kW, 150kW, 200kW, 350kW depending on model.
- Cooling: liquid-cooled on 200kW+ cables (the cable carries cooling fluid alongside the conductors). Air-cooled on 50-100kW.
- Length: 3-5m typical. Longer cables introduce voltage drop that reduces achievable charging speed.
- Weight: 5-12 kg for a 3-5m cable. CCS cables are visibly heavier than Type 2 AC cables.
- Cost: £800-3,500 per cable depending on power and cooling. Materially more expensive than AC cables.
What we stock for installers
- Direct-replacement CCS cables for ABB Terra, Tritium, Alpitronic and Phihong rapid chargers.
- Type 2 + CCS combined connectors for charger refurbishment.
- CCS pin-replacement kits and connector-rebuild parts.
For commercial DC charger projects
If you're considering installing DC rapid charging at a commercial site (forecourt, fleet depot, retail), the cable is part of a complete project — hardware, supply, install, OCPP back-office, ongoing managed-service. See our DC fast charger range for context. Email trade@evcablehub.co.uk for a project quote.
NACS — Tesla's home market
NACS (now SAE J3400) is Tesla's home-market connector, increasingly appearing on European Teslas through 2026-2027. UK Teslas (Model 3, Y, S, X) are CCS Combo 2 — the existing standard. For CCS-NACS adapter cables see our NACS adapters.
Warranty
5-year warranty on all professional-grade CCS cables we sell. Warranty claim shipping is included to and from our UK warehouse. Replacement cables typically delivered within 5 working days for stock items.