Most EV charging cables are compatible with untethered chargers. However, the most likely place to encounter charging cable incompatibility is your vehicle plug. The majority of electric cars have one of two types of cable connector plugs. We will discuss both below.
You should also note that this advice applies to anyone who is considering charging points using a tethered cable.
Type 2
The majority of charging cables in the EV world is Type 2. A Type 2 charging cable can be identified by counting its pins. There should be five holes with actual pins inside and two more holes at the bottom.
The number of pins required for the bottom two holes will depend on the type of cable. The bottom two holes in a single-phase cable can become “missing”, but this is normal as they are needed only for three-phase charging.
Type 2 connectors forgo the Type 1 latch in favor of a mechanism in Type 2 charging ports that locks onto a type 2 cable during a charge session.
Type 2 to type 2 EV charging cable 22kw can be charged at single-phase speeds of up to 7.4kW and three-phase speeds of up to 22kW.
Type 1
A Type 1 cable may be available if you are buying an older EV. This type of cable was once the standard for EVs. It can be found on vehicles such as the Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid, and the Nissan Leaf.
It’s not common for a car manufacturer to launch one with such a dated connector plug.
Five pins are included in Type 1 cables. The connectors have a latch at the top that secures charging ports and prevents the cable from being removed accidentally during charging sessions.
Although Type 1 cables can be charged up to 7.2kW, it is not compatible with Type 2 cables. This means they can’t take advantage of the faster charging speeds that Type 2 cables typically offer.
Are Electric Cars Equipped With Charging Cables?
Many electric vehicles now include a Type 2 charging cord. However, it is advisable to check before purchasing. The charging cable for some PHEVs is extra.
If the charger cable is not included in your second-hand electric vehicle, you can use it to bargain. Many owners prefer to have two cables, one for at home and one for when they are out and about charging.
How Long Is A Type 2 EV Charging Cable?
There are many lengths of EV charging cables, from 2.5m up to well over 10m. It is essential to consider where your electric car will be parked relative to the charging point when determining how long the charging cable should be. Your EV cable should be connected to the vehicle and must follow the floor. It shouldn’t be “taught” or dangling above it.
People and pets shouldn’t trip over EV cables, and your new EV cable shouldn’t cause damage to your car.
How Can I Choose A Charging Cable?
There are many cheap charging cables on the market, but we do not recommend you compromise build quality for a few dollars. Cheap EV cables will not only break faster but can also charge slower due to the lower power limit.
Well-constructed EV cables will also be more resilient to the bumps and drops of life, such as being dropped from a height or accidentally running over by your car.
Holding the connector end of a cable can help you determine if it is of good quality. Is it stiff and cheap? Is it making creaking sounds when you squeeze it? Is the cable securely attached to the charging gun? All these are important questions to ask before you buy a cable online or keep the one that you already have.
