The Simple Buyer’s Guide to EV Charging Cables Types

Electric cars are loved by many and, with ever-growing technological advances, they’re being considered by drivers more than ever. The days of limited, city only use are long gone. However, it is still considered a big step, so if you’re reading this, before buying a cable, congratulations on being an early adopter. Due to various standards, the UK/EU thing, knowing which charging cable your car requires, can be slightly confusing. Cableformycar want to make it stress-free and educational.

So here is Cable For My Car’s comprehensive, yet easy-to-follow guide, explaining which is the most suitable and compatible cable for your car… or any plug-in vehicle:

Types of EV Charging Cables

There are multiple types of EV charging cable, but don’t worry, it’s not as confusing as trying to order a drink in a coffee shop!
There are 3 categories of charging speeds. These are slow, fast, and rapid. Slow charging can on average take 6-12 hours on power output of about 3kW. Fast charging can take up to 4 hours to fully charge on 7kW-22kW. Rapid charging can take up to an hour for a full charge from a power output of 50kW-120kW. You can also have alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) charging. DC units are predominantly tethered so you do not have to worry about the charge point socket.

Let’s take a look at the different connectors used in charging, and the time it takes to charge up, slowest to fastest.

3-Pin

Known as Mode 1, brick charger or portable ev charger, these cables are almost always supplied with any Plug-In Electric Vehicle. The 3-pin domestic plug, like on most other household electrical goods, can be inserted into a domestic socket while the other end is the vehicle plug.

When charging in this way, you’ll experience a slow charging rates, with a power output of up to 3kW, normally seeing 8 miles per hour of charge. Because of this, EV owners soon realise they need a dedicated EV charging solution, capable of delivering faster speeds at home.

Type 1

Type 1 plugs are single-phase and provide fast charging at a power output level of 3.6kW-7.2kW AC. Providing a miles per hour of charge of around 15-25. Almost a thing of the past for new UK registered vehicle, this plug is seen more often in parts of Asia, and America.

Type 2

Type 2 (Mennekes) plugs have a 7-pin design. It’s been adopted as the standard in the UK and EU. Offering fast charging, at 3.6kW-7.2kW (single phase) and 11kW-22kW (three phase), it provides an approximate miles per hour of charge of 15-60 miles.

Additionally, they encompass a locking system. This ensures gives security and acts as an anti-theft/tamper feature, as well as some safety benefits. All public AC charging points will have a Type 2 socket for you to plug your own cable into. Plugging a single phase cable into a three phase charger will limit your the speed of your charge!

CCS - DC Charging

CCS. An additional 2 pins combined with the standard Type 2 connector provide DC rapid charging capabilities. These chargers provide a power output between 25kW & 360kW (delivered speed is dependant on vehicle). Higher output DC chargers are becoming more common. CCS (50KW) provides an approximate miles per hour of charge of 120-150.

CHAdeMO

CHAdeMO is compatible with mostly early fully electric vehicles, such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Mazda, and Honda. Whilst originating from Japan, it’s fairly common to see these in the UK for pre 2020 models of aforementioned brands.