EV Cables Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we do. We offer a price match promise on all our EV charging cables. If you find the same product, made to the same specification, with identical certifications and comparable service conditions, we’ll do our best to match that price.

No, we do not have a minimum order value for deliveries to EU countries.

However, please note that we operate under a Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) scheme. This means that local taxes and customs charges are not included in your order and will be collected by your local customs authority upon delivery.

While we ship VAT-free from the UK to EU destinations, VAT and any applicable import duties will be charged in your country before or at the time of delivery. These charges vary depending on your local regulations.

We recommend checking with your local customs office for more details to avoid any surprises.

In short — no, and for good reason.

UK and international EV charging standards do not allow the use of extension cables between an electric vehicle and its charging equipment (EVSE).

The relevant safety standard, IEC 61851-1 (adopted in the UK as BS EN 61851-1), states clearly:

“A cord extension set or second cable assembly shall not be used in addition to the cable assembly for the connection of the vehicle to the EVSE.”

That means any “Type 2 extension cable” or modified charging lead is not compliant with international safety standards. It also falls outside the certified design of the plug and cable system defined in IEC 62196.

Using an extension lead for EV charging can also:

• Increase the risk of overheating, arcing or fire

• Void compliance with BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations), Section 722

• Invalidate vehicle, charger or home insurance warranties in the event of damage

For these reasons, we do not sell EV charging extension cables.
Instead, we only provide equipment that is fully certified, safe and compliant with UK and international standards — such as longer Type 2 charging cables or professionally installed charging points.

Read About EV Extension Cables

If you can add the item to your shopping cart, then yes — it’s in stock.

Our stock levels are centrally managed and updated in real time across all our sales channels to ensure accuracy.

That said, we’re only human — and on rare occasions, a stock error may occur. If this happens, we’ll be in touch as quickly as possible to put it right. Thanks for your understanding.

If you can add the item to your basket, then yes — it’s in stock.

Our stock levels are centrally managed and updated in real time across all our sales channels to ensure accuracy.

That said, we’re only human — and on rare occasions, a stock error may occur. If this happens, we’ll be in touch as quickly as possible to put it right. Thanks for your understanding.

Yes — all plug-to-plug EV charging cables include a FREE cable storage bag. The bag size is selected based on the cable length, and in most cases, cables up to 20 metres (or 15 metres for 3-phase cables) will fit in our standard carry bag.

Please note that this offer does not apply to tethered cables, wall chargers, or accessories, unless specifically stated on the product page.

Need an extra bag? Additional cable carry bags are also available to purchase directly from our website.

We accept all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

You can also choose to pay securely via PayPal if that’s more convenient for you.

We’d love to hear your feedback! All reviews are handled securely through Trustpilot, an independent review platform.

After your purchase, you’ll receive an invitation via email from Trustpilot to leave a review of your experience with EV-Cables. The process is quick and simple — just follow the link in the email and share your thoughts.

Leaving a review not only helps future customers, but also supports our small UK-based business as we continue to grow and improve.

Your feedback really does make a difference — thank you!

We aim to be fully transparent with our delivery charges.

For UK mainland orders over £100, delivery is free. Orders under this threshold will see delivery costs calculated at checkout.

For customers in the Highlands and Islands, an additional surcharge may apply due to increased carrier costs. This uplift is charged at cost with no added markup.

You can view full details on our shipping charges here.

We aim to dispatch all orders on the same day when placed before 12:00 midday (UK time), Monday to Friday. Orders placed after midday will typically be dispatched the next working day.

During busy periods, dispatch times may be slightly longer, but we always work to get your order out as quickly as possible.

Please note: UK bank holidays and public holidays are excluded from our dispatch schedule. For example, an order placed after midday on Friday may be processed and dispatched on the following Monday — or on Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday.

Yes, we ship to most international destinations.

Shipping costs for available countries are automatically calculated at checkout, based on your location and order size. If you don’t see a shipping option for your country, please get in touch with us — we’ll be happy to provide a quote and update the shipping options to accommodate your order.

We're always working to make EV-Cables products available wherever you are.

For UK mainland deliveries (excluding Highlands and Islands), we use a next business day service as standard for all orders over £100. If you require delivery on a Saturday, you can select this option at checkout (where available).

For customers in the UK Highlands and Islands, delivery usually takes 48 to 72 hours due to extended transit times.

For international deliveries, smaller parcels are handled by Royal Mail and passed to local carriers. Delivery times vary depending on the destination and local postal services.

For larger international parcels (over 2kg), we ship via FedEx, with typical delivery times of 3–5 business days. This does not include any time spent with customs or delays caused by import tariffs and fee settlement.

At EV-Cables, we know that a great purchase experience doesn’t end at checkout — and that includes reliable delivery. That’s why we only work with trusted carriers to ensure your order arrives safely and on time.

For UK deliveries, we use Royal Mail or DHL, depending on the size and weight of your order. The most suitable option is automatically selected during checkout.

For international orders, we use Royal Mail or Fedex, depending on the size and weight of your order. The most suitable option is automatically selected during checkout.

Please note: customs duties or local taxes may apply and are the responsibility of the customer.

Once your order is placed, we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

You’ll receive a confirmation email when your order is received, followed by a shipping notification email once it has been dispatched. This shipping email will include a tracking link to the relevant courier’s website, allowing you to follow your delivery in real time.

If you haven’t received your tracking details or need assistance, feel free to contact our customer support team.

We understand that mistakes happen. Under the Distance Selling Regulations, you’re entitled to cancel your order within 14 days of purchase. You then have a further 14 days to return the goods to us. Once we’ve received the item, we aim to process your refund within 14 days.

Please note:

• Return shipping costs for unwanted or mistakenly ordered items are your responsibility.
• Items must be unopened, unused, and in their original packaging.
• Custom-made or personalised goods cannot be returned unless faulty.
• We reserve the right to reject returns that are used, damaged, or missing packaging.
• We also cannot refund items that are lost in return transit, so we strongly recommend using a tracked service with adequate insurance.

Before sending anything back, please contact us first so we can guide you through the return process.

For full details, refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Yes, we do.

All of our plug-to-plug, tethered and portable EV charging cables come with a 2-year warranty as standard, covering manufacturer defects.

Accessories are covered by a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects from the date of purchase, as shown on your invoice.

What’s not covered:

Our warranties do not apply in cases of:

• Misuse or accidental damage
• General wear and tear
• Water damage or corrosion resulting in charging failure

If you have any questions about your warranty or think you may need to make a claim, feel free to get in touch with our team — we’re here to help.

If your item develops a manufacturing fault within the warranty period, we’re here to help.

Please contact us first so we can assist with troubleshooting and, if necessary, begin the returns process.

Once returned, the item will be examined either by us or the manufacturer. If a fault is confirmed, we will either repair the product or replace it with a like-for-like item. If the original product is no longer available, we’ll supply a comparable alternative of equal quality.

For full details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions, and always get in touch before sending anything back under warranty.

We do not recommend storing your EV charging cable coiled up outdoors, especially if the plug ends are left hanging loose or resting on the ground.

When stored this way—like a hosepipe—water can collect and gradually enter the base of the charging plug, increasing the risk of corrosion over time. This can compromise performance, shorten the cable’s lifespan, and may void your warranty due to signs of water damage.

Best Practices for EV Cable Storage:

• Store indoors whenever possible to protect against moisture and temperature extremes.
• If used or stored outdoors, secure the connectors in dedicated wall-mounted sockets to keep them upright and shielded from pooling water.
• Never leave connectors hanging or lying on the ground, where they are more vulnerable to water ingress and dirt.

Taking a few simple precautions will help you maintain the condition of your cable and ensure reliable charging for years to come.

6mA DC leakage protection is a built-in safety feature in EV chargers that helps detect and prevent electrical faults while charging your electric vehicle.

This protection is important because:

• It meets UK safety regulations for EV charging equipment.
• It protects your home’s electrical system by preventing faults that could trip circuit breakers.
• It can save you money by removing the need for expensive electrical upgrades or additional protective devices.

For safe, compliant, and cost-effective charging, all of our portable EV chargers at EVSTOR include built-in 6mA DC leakage protection as standard.

Great question. Our single-phase EV charging cables are rated at 32A, 250V AC, delivering up to 7.6kW—which reflects their maximum manufacturing capacity, not necessarily the real-world output you'll see at home.

In the UK, most residential properties operate on a single-phase 230V supply, which typically limits EV charging output to around 7.2kW at 32A. So, while your cable is technically capable of 7.6kW, the actual power delivered is usually slightly lower due to the constraints of your household electrical system.

That said, this higher-rated capacity ensures that the cable can comfortably handle your EV’s demands, even if there's a brief spike or fluctuation in power. It also provides a buffer of safety and performance, giving you a robust, future-ready solution that meets both UK regulations and the needs of your vehicle.

It’s not recommended to use a hard timer, plug-in switch, or any external device that simply cuts power to a portable EV charger. While it might seem like a convenient way to schedule charging — for example, to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates — doing so can interfere with the way your EV and charger are designed to operate, potentially leading to long-term issues or even safety risks.

EV charging involves a structured communication process between the vehicle and the charger. This includes a series of electronic “handshakes” managed by the Control Pilot (CP) wire, which helps coordinate charging status, current levels, and readiness between the two. If you introduce a hard stop (such as a timer cutting power abruptly), it disrupts this handshake, and the system doesn’t have a chance to shut down properly.

Over time, this can lead to:

• Charging errors or lockout conditions that require manual resets

• Incomplete or failed charging sessions

• Stress or wear on the charger or your vehicle’s onboard systems

• Safety concerns, including possible electrical faults or overheating

Instead of using an external timer, we recommend the following safer and more reliable alternatives:

• Use the built-in scheduling features available on many EVs or some smart portable chargers. These are designed to manage charging times safely while maintaining proper communication with the vehicle.

• Upgrade to a smart charger, which allows you to schedule charging through an app or interface while still preserving safe operation protocols.

• Speak to a qualified electrician or your EV manufacturer if you're unsure about your setup or want help finding the best solution for timed charging.

In short, using a hard timer might seem like a simple fix, but it introduces unnecessary risk and could impact the longevity and safety of your EV charging system. Always allow the vehicle and charger to manage the charging process together as intended.

Yes. A 3-phase cable will work perfectly on a single-phase charger, but it will only charge at single-phase speeds.

Yes. A single-phase cable can be used with a 3-phase charging point, but it will only draw power from one phase—so charging speed will be limited to single-phase rates.

Type 1 cables—found on some older or imported vehicles—support single-phase charging only and have a 5-pin design with a latch clip. Type 2 cables, now the standard across the UK and EU, feature a 7-pin design with a rounder shape and locking mechanism. They support both single-phase and three-phase charging, enabling faster charging and greater compatibility with modern EVs.

If your car supports faster charging and you plan to use public or workplace chargers, a 22kW-capable (3-phase) cable is a smart choice. Otherwise, a 7kW single-phase cable may be sufficient.

Yes — but only if suitable PEN-fault protection is provided.
Portable chargers are not exempt when charging a vehicle outdoors on a PME supply. If the charger does not include PEN-fault protection internally, this must be provided on the installation side (for example, by using a dedicated PME/PEN-fault protection device).
A qualified electrician should confirm that your socket or circuit includes the appropriate protection before use.

No. Portable EV chargers do not usually detect PEN faults. They include built-in safety features like RCD protection, overcurrent protection, and temperature monitoring, but they will not disconnect specifically in the event of a PEN fault.

No, EV charging cables—particularly those with TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) jackets—are not suitable for direct burial underground. These cables are designed for above-ground use and exposure to weather but are not built to withstand continuous contact with soil, moisture, or underground pressures. Burying a EV cable can lead to premature degradation, water ingress, mechanical damage, and potential electrical failure.

Cables that have been buried underground are not covered under warranty. Damage resulting from improper installation, including burial, is considered misuse and falls outside of the warranty terms. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and safety regulations to ensure correct installation and maintain warranty protection.

A little — but far less than most people expect.

Longer EV charging cables have slightly more electrical resistance, which causes a small voltage drop. With a properly built 32A EV charging cable, this is usually very minor. For example, moving from a short 3–5 metre cable to a long 20 metre cable typically results in around 1–2% less charging power.

In everyday terms, that’s often the difference between adding about 25–26 miles of range per hour on a shorter cable versus around 25 miles per hour on a 20 m cable — well under half a mile of range per hour in most cases. Other factors, like your home’s supply voltage, the charger itself, or the car’s onboard charger, usually have a bigger impact than cable length alone.

As long as the cable is correctly rated and in good condition, modern EVs and chargers handle this without issue. For most drivers, choosing a cable that comfortably reaches where you park is far more important than the very small efficiency difference caused by extra length.