Explanation
GB/T is the Chinese national standard for EV charging connectors, maintained by the Standardization Administration of China. It covers both AC charging (GB/T 20234.2) and DC fast charging (GB/T 20234.3). The connectors look different from European CCS2 and Type 2, and they are not cross-compatible.
If you drive in Europe or North America, you will not encounter GB/T chargers. However, understanding GB/T matters because many popular EVs (like BYD, NIO, and Xpeng) are designed around this standard for their home market and then adapted with CCS2 ports for European sales.
China is also developing ChaoJi, a next-generation connector jointly developed with Japan's CHAdeMO association. ChaoJi aims to support up to 900 kW charging. Whether it will gain traction outside Asia remains to be seen.
This standard is maintained by European Alternative Fuels Observatory.
Where you'll see this
- In vehicle specifications
Common confusion
Some people worry that Chinese-brand EVs (BYD, MG, etc.) sold in Europe use a different connector. They do not. All EVs sold in Europe use CCS2/Type 2, regardless of where the car was designed.
Example
A BYD Atto 3 sold in China uses GB/T. The same car sold in Europe uses CCS2 for DC and Type 2 for AC, identical to any other European-market EV.
Related terms
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