EV-Cables Blog: EV Charging, Products & Technology

What EV Charging Cable Do I Need?

A Complete Guide for UK & European EV Drivers

If you’ve recently bought an electric vehicle — or are about to — one of the most common questions you’ll ask is:

“What charging cable do I need for my EV?”

At first glance, the answer can seem confusing. You may see references to Type 1, Type 2, single-phase, three-phase, 7 kW, 11 kW, or 22 kW charging, and it’s not always obvious what applies to your car.

Fortunately, for EV drivers in the UK and across Europe, the situation is actually much simpler than it used to be.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• Why almost all EVs now use Type 2 charging cables

• The difference between 7 kW and 22 kW cables

• How single-phase vs three-phase charging works

• Whether a 22 kW cable will work with your car

• When you might need a portable charger

• How to choose the right cable length

By the end, you should have a clear understanding of exactly which EV charging cable you need.

The Standard in Europe: Type 2 Charging Cables

If your electric vehicle was purchased new in the UK or Europe, it will almost certainly use a Type 2 charging socket.

Type 2 connectors became the official European AC charging standard in 2014, when the EU mandated that all public AC charging infrastructure must use the Type 2 (Mennekes) connector.

Since then, nearly every manufacturer selling EVs in Europe has adopted this plug type.

This means that almost all modern EVs use Type 2 sockets for AC charging, including vehicles from:

• Tesla

• BMW

• Volkswagen

• Audi

• Mercedes

• Volvo

• Hyundai

• Kia

• BYD

• MG

• Polestar

• Skoda

• Renault

• Peugeot

• Nissan (newer models)

Because of this standardisation, the good news is:

✔ You do not need a brand-specific cable
✔ Any Type 2 charging cable works with any Type 2 EV
✔ Compatibility is rarely an issue

So if your car has a Type 2 socket, any Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable will work.

In fact, this is often the easiest part of the decision.

The Real Question: Charging Speed

Once drivers understand that they need a Type 2 cable, the next question usually becomes:

Should I buy a 7 kW cable or a 22 kW cable?

This depends on two things:

1️⃣ The power available from the charger
2️⃣ The onboard charger inside your vehicle

Understanding Your EV’s Onboard Charger

Every electric car contains something called an onboard charger.

This is the component that converts AC electricity into DC energy to store in the battery.

The onboard charger determines how quickly the vehicle can charge using AC power.

Typical AC charging speeds are:

Not every car supports the fastest speed — but the cable you choose determines what speeds are possible when the charger allows it.

Single-Phase Charging (Most UK Homes)

Most homes in the UK are supplied with single-phase electricity.

This means that a typical home wall box will charge at a maximum of:

7.4 kW

At this speed, most EVs gain approximately:

25–30 miles of range per hour of charging.

For many drivers, this is perfectly sufficient because the car is often charging overnight.

If you mainly charge at home, a 7.4 kW Type 2 cable will work perfectly well.

Three-Phase Charging (Public Charging & Commercial Sites)

Many public AC chargers, workplace chargers, hotels, and commercial installations provide three-phase electricity.

These chargers typically offer:

• 11 kW charging

• 22 kW charging

This can significantly increase charging speed depending on the vehicle.

For example, many modern EVs support 11 kW AC charging, which can add around:

35–40 miles of range per hour.

This is where 22 kW cables become useful.

Should I Buy a 22 kW EV Charging Cable?

One of the most common questions EV drivers ask is:

“Will a 22 kW charging cable work with my car?”

The answer is yes.

A 22 kW-rated Type 2 cable is fully backwards compatible.

This means:

✔ It works on 7 kW home chargers
✔ It works on 11 kW public chargers
✔ It works on 22 kW AC chargers

The charging speed will simply adjust automatically depending on:

• the charger

• the vehicle’s onboard charger

Because of this, many EV drivers choose 22 kW cables as a future-proof option.

They work everywhere and ensure the cable never limits charging speed.

Modern EVs Increasingly Support 3-Phase Charging

Another reason drivers consider 22 kW cables is that many newer EVs now support three-phase charging.

Examples include vehicles from:

• BMW

• Mercedes

• Audi

• Tesla

• Volvo

• Polestar

• Hyundai

• Kia

• BYD

• MG

Many of these vehicles have 11 kW onboard chargers, meaning they can take advantage of three-phase public chargers.

Example: BMW EVs with 11 kW Charging

Many BMW electric vehicles, including the BMW i4, iX3, and several iX and iX1 models, feature an 11 kW AC onboard charger.

This allows them to charge significantly faster when connected to three-phase power.

Typical charging speeds look like this:

*Based on a typical efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh.

This illustrates why many drivers choose 22 kW-rated cables, even if their home charger only provides 7 kW.

What About Portable EV Chargers?

Some EV drivers also want a portable charging solution.

Portable chargers are useful when:

• A wall box has not yet been installed

• You travel frequently

• You want a backup charging option

Two common types are available.

Portable CEE EV Chargers (Up to 7.4 kW)

These portable chargers connect to 32A commando sockets, often found in:

• workshops

• garages

• campsites

• commercial buildings

Benefits include:

✔ Full 7.4 kW charging speed
✔ Adjustable charging current
✔ Portable alternative to a wall box

3-Pin Portable EV Chargers

A 10 A portable EV charger plugs into a standard UK household socket.

These charge at approximately:

2.3 kW

While slower, they are extremely useful as a backup charging solution.

A typical overnight charge may add:

40–60 miles of range, depending on the vehicle.

Choosing the Right Cable Length

Once you’ve decided on the cable type, the next decision is length.

This often depends on parking layout and charger location.

Common EV cable lengths include:

For most drivers, 5 m or 7.5 m offers the best balance between reach and storage.

Do I Need a Cable for Public Charging?

It depends on the type of charger.

AC public chargers (often found in car parks or destinations) usually require you to bring your own cable.

These typically provide Type 2 sockets, meaning you plug your own Type 2 cable into the charger.

However:

⚡ DC rapid chargers (such as motorway services) always have permanently attached CCS cables, so you do not need to bring your own cable.

We Maintain an EV Charging Cable Guide for Every Vehicle

Although most EVs use Type 2 connectors, charging speeds vary between models.

To make this easier, we maintain a comprehensive EV charging cable guide covering many popular vehicles sold in the UK.

These guides include:

• Charging speed breakdowns

• Recommended cable types

• Range added per hour of charging

• Portable charging options

• Cable length recommendations

We update these guides regularly as new EV models enter the market.

Use Our EV Charging Calculator

We also provide a simple EV charging calculator that helps you estimate:

• How long charging will take

• How much range you’ll gain

• The cost of charging your EV

This allows you to compare different charging options and find the setup that works best for your driving habits.

Quick Summary: Which EV Charging Cable Do I Need?

For most drivers in the UK or Europe:

✔ Your vehicle uses a Type 2 charging socket
✔ Any Type 2 to Type 2 cable will work
✔ A 7 kW cable is ideal for home charging
✔ A 22 kW cable offers maximum flexibility and future-proofing

Understanding these basics makes choosing an EV charging cable much easier than it first appears.

Need Help Choosing?

Use our EV Charging Calculator to see how long different cables will take to charge your vehicle based on your setup.

Still unsure? Contact our team for expert advice — we’re here to help.

⚠️ Note: This guide covers AC charging only. DC rapid chargers (such as motorway services) have permanently attached CCS cables and do not require user-supplied charging cables.