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All About Electric Car Charging Cables

Find out what electric car charging cables look like, how to choose a charger and more

To keep your electric car (EV) moving, you need to learn how electric car charging cables work. If you don't use the right charging cable in the right way, you’ll struggle to recharge your vehicle.

Read on to find out the 5 most important things to know about electric car charging cables.

What are the Different Types of Electric Car Charging Cable?

There are two main types of electric car charging cable: Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC).

AC charging cables are used for slow and fast charging (home charging points) and DC charging cables allow your vehicle to access rapid charging points (generally available at service stations and in car parks).

AC Connector Type	Typical Power Ratings
Type 1	3.7kW or 7kW
Type 2	3.7kW, 7kW or 22kW

DC Connector Type	Typical Power Ratings
CHAdeMO	50kW or 100kW
Combined Charging System (CCS)	50kW, 150kW* or 350kW**
Type 2	150kW or 250kW***

*These are very rare within the UK but there are plans for them to become more commonplace.

**Only a handful exist worldwide

***Only available as part of the Tesla Supercharger network and a very new development

You can also use a standard 3-pin plug to charge an electric car. However, these are very inefficient, and you can easily overload the socket.

It is only recommended to use one in an absolute emergency, and you should remain with your car while it charges.

What are the Differences Between Type 1 & Type 2 Chargers?

EV charging cables have two different ends. Like any smartphone charger, they have a universal connector at one end. This is a type 2 connector that fits any ChargePoint socket installed in the UK. At the other end, the cables either have a type 1 or type 2 vehicle-side connector.

The number of pins is the main differentiating factor between chargers. Type 1 chargers have 5-pins while Type 2 have 7-pins.

Other differences between these electric car charging cables include:

Locking mechanism. Type 2 chargers have an inbuilt locking mechanism while Type 1 chargers do not. This makes Type 2 cables much safer and more reliable as only the owner of the car can remove the charging cable.

Number of phases. Type 1 chargers are single-phase charging cables while Type 2 are available as single or three-phase cables. The more connectors that provide power to your car, the faster it will charge. This is why Type 2 cables have a higher power output than Type 1 cables.

How Will I Know Which Charger My Car Needs?

Type 2 charging cables are by far the most common in the UK. Most all-electric cars use Type 2 cables because they provide a higher power output. Older electric cars and plug-in hybrids may still use a Type 1 cable.

If you already own an electric car, you can check what charging cable it needs in the vehicle handbook. If you’re looking to buy an EV, either ask a salesperson or look in the charging port yourself. The number of pins will tell you whether it is a Type 1 or Type 2 charging point.

Does My EV Come With a Charging Cable?

Your electric car will most likely come with one charging cable which is most suited to your vehicle. If you are buying your EV second hand, you should check with the seller whether they are including the charger as a part of the sale.

It is not a bad idea to buy a spare in case you lose or damage the electric car charging cable that comes with your vehicle.

Do I Need to Bring My Own Charging Cable When I’m Charging on the Go?

Some charging points will provide a charging cable with the charging point – for example, bp pulse provides cables at their stations.

However, you may find that some AC charge points on public networks will not have chargers, and you will need to provide it yourself.

For this reason, we recommend you always keep a charging cable in your EV.

How Do I Choose a Charging Cable?

When buying a charging cable, you must consider the length and current rating. Most importantly, you must you pick the right connector for your car.

Length

Some cars need a certain length of charging cable. If this is true for your vehicle, your vehicle handbook will tell you. Else, a standard length would be 7.5m.

If you need a longer reach, you could buy a 10m cable. If you wanted a charging cable that’s easier to store, you could buy a 5m cable.

Current Rating

As a minimum, you should buy a charging cable that matches your max AC charge rate. For a single-phase cable, 16A = c3.6kW and 32A = c.7kW.

However, you might want to buy a higher rated cable to future-proof your investment. Electric cars only charge at the maximum rate allowed, so there's no danger when buying a higher rated cable.

Doing so will allow you to upgrade your car and not have to worry about buying a new cable if its max AC charge rate is higher.

Correct Connector

To find the correct connector for your car, either check your vehicle handbook or consult PodPoint’s car guides. If you don’t buy the right connector, your charging cable will be useless.

Where Can I Buy an Electric Car Charging Cable?

As previously mentioned, many new electric cars come with charging cables included or as an optional extra if you want to upgrade the capacity.

You can also buy electric car charging cables from the following providers, as well as from specialist charging cable companies:

Electric Vehicle Equipment

Screwfix

Amazon

Argos

How Much is an Electric Car Charging Cable?

An electric car charging cable will usually cost anywhere between £80 - £300.

The price will depend on the type, brand, and current options.

You can also buy adapters for Type 1 to Type 2, which can be used to charge your Type 2 car with a Type 1 charger. These can be handy to have and are usually cheaper than charging cables.