Sourcing EV Charging Cables & Accessories from China: Guide

Q: Is UL certification required to sell EV chargers in the US?

UL 2594 or ETL equivalent is effectively required. Most states require EVSE to be listed by an NRTL for electrical code compliance. Without certification, serious product liability exposure exists. Don't sell EVSE in the US without UL or ETL listing.

Q: What is the difference between J1772 and NACS connectors?

J1772 is the legacy North American EV connector standard used by virtually all non-Tesla EVs before 2025. NACS (SAE J3400) is Tesla's connector standard, now adopted by most major automakers for 2025+ vehicles. They're not interchangeable without an adapter.

Q: What Level 2 EVSE amperage should I source?

32A (7.7kW) is the sweet spot for most home charging — fast enough for any EV, compatible with standard 40A circuits. 16A is too slow for daily drivers. 48A requires a 60A circuit and is overkill for most homes.

EV adoption is accelerating globally, and China leads both EV production and EV charging equipment manufacturing. Chinese companies — BYD, CATL, Genvikt, EVSE Technology — produce substantial volumes of Level 1 and Level 2 home charging equipment, charging cables, and accessories.

This is a legitimate sourcing opportunity, but it has more regulatory complexity than any other consumer electronics category. EV charging equipment touches high-voltage AC circuits and directly affects safety. The certification requirements are non-negotiable.

Product Categories

Level 1 EVSE cords (120V, 12A–16A): Standard household outlet plug on one end, J1772 connector on the vehicle end. “Trickle charging” for overnight top-ups. These come with most EVs from the factory, but aftermarket replacements and upgrades have a market.

Level 2 EVSE units (240V, 16A–48A, 3.8kW–11.5kW): Hardwired or NEMA 14-50 plug. Wall-mounted unit with J1772 or NACS connector. This is the primary home charging solution for daily drivers. Typical charging: 20–30 miles of range per hour.

NACS to J1772 adapters: Since Ford, GM, Rivian, and others announced adoption of Tesla’s NACS connector standard (now officially SAE J3400), and Tesla’s Supercharger network is opening to non-Tesla vehicles, adapters between NACS and J1772 have become necessary accessories.

Portable Level 2 EVSE kits: 240V portable units that plug into NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 10-30 outlets without hardwiring. Popular for RV travel, vacation homes, and renters who can’t permanently mount a charger.

EV charging cables and replacement connectors: J1772 cables, NACS cables, and Type 2 (IEC 62196) cables for European vehicles.

Smart chargers with WiFi/app: Load balancing, scheduling, energy monitoring, utility integration. Some integrate with smart home platforms.

Certifications — Non-Negotiable in This Category

This bears emphasis: EV charging equipment without proper certification should not be sold in the US under any circumstances. These devices handle 240V AC at currents that can kill people and start fires. The certification requirements exist for good reasons.

UL 2594: The UL standard for electric vehicle supply equipment. Required for Level 1 and Level 2 EVSE sold in the US market. UL 2594 certification requires extensive testing including electrical safety, thermal cycling, mechanical durability, and ground continuity.

UL 2231: Standard for personnel protection systems for EV supply circuits.

Energy Star (EVSE): For smart EVSE with app connectivity, Energy Star certification is increasingly preferred by commercial buyers and HOAs.

FCC Part 15 (for smart chargers): Required for any EVSE with WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication.

SAE J1772 and SAE J3400 compliance: Connector specifications. Any EVSE or cable must comply with the applicable SAE connector standard for the connector type used.

CE + IEC 61851: Required for European market. Type 2 connector (IEC 62196) is the EU standard.

ETL alternative to UL: ETL listing (from Intertek) is an accepted alternative to UL for EVSE in the US. Both are NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) listings.

Without UL/ETL listing, you should not sell EVSE in the US. A non-certified EV charger that causes a garage fire creates severe product liability exposure and likely criminal liability.

Which Chinese Factories Can Source From

Chinese factories with legitimate UL 2594 certifications exist. They serve major brands and are the production source for significant volumes of US-market EVSE. The important distinction:

Some factories have UL listings that cover specific SKUs. Verify the UL file number at ul.com.
Some claim UL compliance without actual certification. This is fraud. Verify independently.
Factories that export to the US market and claim certifications should provide verifiable UL or ETL file numbers. Call UL directly to verify if needed.

Look for factories with exports to verified US EVSE brands and existing documented certification.

The NACS Connector Transition

Tesla’s NACS (North American Charging Standard) is now SAE J3400, and adoption is broad:

Tesla: original NACS vehicles
Ford, GM, Rivian, Honda, Volkswagen, and most major OEMs: adopting NACS for 2025+ models
Existing J1772 vehicle owners: need NACS to J1772 adapters for Supercharger access

For importers, this means:

New EVSE should offer NACS connector option alongside or instead of J1772
NACS to J1772 adapters are a strong accessory category
Level 2 EVSE with interchangeable connectors (swappable tip) is the future-proof option

Chinese factories are already producing NACS cables and adapters. NACS certification requires SAE J3400 compliance testing.

MOQs

EVSE units (Level 1 or Level 2 hardwired with your branding): 50–200 units. These are lower-volume products at higher per-unit cost so factories accommodate smaller runs.

EV charging cables (replacement J1772 or NACS): 100–500 units.

Adapters (NACS to J1772): 200–1,000 units.

Portable EVSE kits: 100–300 units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UL certification required to sell EV chargers in the US? UL 2594 (or ETL equivalent) is effectively required. While not universally mandated by federal law, most states require EVSE to be listed by an NRTL for electrical code compliance. Major retailers require it. Without certification, serious product liability exposure exists. Don’t sell EVSE in the US without UL or ETL listing.

What is the difference between J1772 and NACS connectors? J1772 (SAE J1772) is the legacy North American EV connector standard, used by virtually all non-Tesla EVs before 2025. NACS (SAE J3400) is Tesla’s connector standard, now adopted by most major automakers for 2025+ vehicles. They’re not interchangeable without an adapter.

What Level 2 EVSE amperage should I source? For most home charging, 32A (7.7kW) is the sweet spot — fast enough for overnight charging of any EV, compatible with standard 40A circuits. 48A (11.5kW) is faster but requires a 60A circuit and is overkill for most home use. 16A is too slow for daily drivers. Source 32A as your baseline.

Are Chinese EVSE chargers safe? Chinese factories with legitimate UL 2594 listings produce safe, reliable chargers — the same factories supply major US brands. The risk is with uncertified products from factories making false certification claims. Always verify UL or ETL certification independently before sourcing any EVSE.

What’s the best product to source in the EV accessories space for a first-time importer? NACS to J1772 adapters are an excellent entry point: high demand, moderate complexity (no AC wiring), and lower certification hurdles than full EVSE units. As the NACS transition accelerates, every J1772 EV owner visiting a Supercharger needs one.