European shift towards Combo Charging System (CCS) diminishes significance of CHAdeMO in electric vehicle (EV) charging sector
In the early days of electric mobility, CHAdeMO played a pivotal role, enabling vehicles to charge up to 80% in about 30 minutes, a significant boost for long-distance travel. Launched in 2010, CHAdeMO's compatibility with early Japanese EVs like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV helped it gain traction in Europe.
However, the story of CHAdeMO is one of innovation, adaptation, and eventual decline in Europe. The rise of the Combined Charging System (CCS) has steadily chipped away at CHAdeMO's dominance in Europe's early EV charging networks. Today, CHAdeMO connectors represent less than 30% of all fast-charging points in Europe, and fewer than 15% of new installations include them.
Several companies have stopped installing new CHAdeMO fast-charging stations, focusing instead on CCS and other standards like NACS. Major European infrastructure providers and automotive manufacturers increasingly favour CCS over CHAdeMO for new installations, as CHAdeMO adoption declines outside Japan.
In countries like France and Germany, providers are focusing on CCS-only setups, reflecting the preferences of manufacturers and drivers. By 2024, many charging network operators had stopped adding CHAdeMO to new stations.
Data from Gireve's roaming platform shows a marked slowdown in the growth of CHAdeMO connectors, with annual installations growing by just 35% compared to all connectors. CHAdeMO accounted for 4.4% of total charging sessions in Europe in 2024, seeing up to 85% less activity compared to CCS-equipped points.
As CCS becomes the default choice for manufacturers and operators, Europe's charging infrastructure is consolidating around a single standard. Some providers continue to offer CHAdeMO as part of multi-connector setups to ensure legacy EVs can still charge, but these configurations are becoming less common as CCS cements its position as the standard.
The decline of CHAdeMO in Europe is not without its implications. CHAdeMO's compatibility with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology remains a key strength, but CCS is also developing V2G features. Recent versions of CHAdeMO include compatibility with China's GB/T standard, and adapters now allow CHAdeMO vehicles to use other fast-charging options.
Despite its decline, the EV charging industry is creating a more accessible and efficient future by supporting both legacy systems and new technologies. The legacy of CHAdeMO will remain a testament to its pioneering role in electric mobility, even as the focus shifts to what comes next.
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