Explained: UK Electric Vehicle Charging Cables
Whether you are one of the 1,250,000 who have already made the switch to electric driving or are currently debating if the switch to electric is right for you, one question that is likely to arise at some point is, which EV charging cable do I need?
In this guide, we’ll highlight everything you need to know regarding the different types of EV charging cables so you’ll be an expert in no time.
What is an EV charging cable?
EV charging cables are the physical connection you need to transfer electrical power to your electric vehicle from a charging station. EV charging cables consist of three main parts:
Cable - The physical length of wire that carries the electrical current to your electric car.
Connector - The interface that ensures connection and allows for the transfer of electrical power when inserted into your vehicle’s charging port.
Plug - “Plug” is sometimes used interchangeably with “connector”, which can complicate things a little. However, the plug usually refers to the part of the cable that connects to the power source, such as the charging station or home charge point, rather than the “connector” that is inserted into your electric vehicle.
Are all EV charging cables the same?
No, not all electric vehicle charging cables are the same, and it’s vital that you have the correct cable for your electric car for three main reasons;
Port Types
Not all charging cables are compatible with all electric cars. If you attempt to use a cable that isn’t suited to your vehicle, you may damage your electric car when trying to charge it.
Health & Safety
Attempting to use a charging cable that is not compatible with your vehicle can cause a potential fire hazard due to a loose connection or the port/cable overheating.
Efficiency
Using an incorrect charging cable will also cause inefficiency, resulting in slower charging times.
Types of EV charging cables
Now that we understand the importance of using the correct charging cable, let’s turn our attention to the different types of cables, their voltages and when they are best used.
Tethered versus Untethered charging cables
First, let’s cover tethered vs untethered charging cables. The difference essentially comes from how the charging cable is connected to the charging box or station.
Tethered - Tethered charging cables are fixed to their charging stations. These cables cannot be detached. They provide a simpler charging experience as you simply plug the cable into your electric vehicle and begin charging, with no need to figure out how to connect it to the power source or carry around a detached cable with you in your car.
Untethered - Untethered charging cables are not fixed to their charging stations and can therefore be detached. This allows for more flexibility and can be stored in your car and used at other locations.
EV charging cable speeds
Another important difference in charging cables is the speed at which they can charge your vehicle. Below is a list of all the charging levels available.
Slow Charging (Level 1)
Slow charging, sometimes referred to as Level 1 charging, is the slowest option for charging your EV. This typically refers to charging an electric vehicle via your home’s 3-pin socket and can take up to 24 hours to fully charge an empty battery, delivering around 2.3kW of power.
This type is best used for drivers who tend to travel short distances or rarely need to use a full battery on a daily basis.
Fast Charging (Level 2)
The step up from Slow, or Level 1 charging, is Fast charging. This delivers around 7kW - 22kW of power and can typically fully charge your EV between 4 - 8 hours depending on the size of your battery.
Fast, or Level 2 charging, is the standard in the UK and can be found at most public charge points as well as installed chargers at home. Perfect for those who want to charge their electric car overnight or while at work.
Rapid & Ultra-Rapid Charging (Level 3)
Rapid or Ultra-Rapid charging, which both fall under Level 3 charging, is the current fastest charging option available. These chargers are typically found at motorway service stations and other public charge points and deliver between 50kW - 350kW of power.
This type of charging is ideal for those travelling long distances or when you need a quick top-up on the go.
What is the difference between EV charging levels and modes?
Another term that EV users can have trouble with from time to time is the difference between Levels and Modes.
Levels - As shown above, these indicate the power output and the speed at which a battery can be charged. There are three levels, Level 1 being the slowest and Level 3 being the fastest.
Modes - There are four “Modes” and they differ from Levels as these refer to the connection type and the safety standards between the charge point and your electric vehicle.
What are the EV charging modes?
Mode 1 - Mode 1 refers to simply plugging your electric car into your home’s 3-pin socket, with no method of controlling the current or voltage used or additional safety features. They tend to be used more for e-bikes, scooters and other light electric vehicles.
Mode 2 - Mode 2 provides more safety and control than Mode 1 and features more safety and control features, protecting against electrical overloads by communicating with the car and dictating how much current/voltage is sent to the battery pack.
Mode 3 - Mode 3 allows the car to communicate with the charging point, instructing it when to turn off the power when the battery is full. It can also change the speed with which the car is charged based on the charging point’s capacity.
Mode 4 - Mode 4 is used with DC fast charging. These can harness more power and also offer built-in cooling and safety management. The control and safety mechanisms are integrated into the charging stations themselves instead of the cable.
Electric Car cable connectors
You must have the correct charging cable connector for your vehicle to prevent any unwanted issues while attempting to recharge your vehicle, whether at home or out on the road. Below are all the connectors found on EV charging cables currently in use.
Type 1 - The Type 1 connector is not widely used in the UK and is more popular in North America. They can be used for both fast and slow charging but aren’t designed for the more popular rapid charging option.
Type 2 - The Type 2 connector is the current UK and European standard and is found on the majority of European made electric vehicles. They are suitable for slow, fast and even rapid charging.
CHAdeMO - The CHAdeMO connector is a fast and rapid connector found on many electric cars made by Asian car manufacturers, such as Nissan, Honda and Toyota.
CCS - The CCS connector is similar to the CHAdeMO connector due to its rapid charging capabilities. However, where it differs is that its design is based closer to the Type 2 connector, meaning some electric cars are also able to accept Type 2 and CCS connectors into the same socket.
CEE (Commando) - The CCE connector is only capable of up to 6kW and is commonly used at places such as campsites to hook up to a caravan. It is also possible to connect a CCE to a charging cable using an adaptor, allowing you to charge at a higher voltage of 22kW.
3-Pin Plug - The 3-pin plug you can connect to your home’s main sockets allows up to 3kW of power. Most electric cars come equipped with a 3-pin plug as standard so you can arrive home and charge up immediately without worrying about purchasing additional chargers or cables.
Tesla Superchargers - Tesla Superchargers are rapid chargers only available to those who own a Tesla vehicle. There are over 2,500 Superchargers worldwide with 1,400 in the UK at over 140 locations, and can recharge a Tesla battery to 80% in around 30 minutes. Superchargers use two connector types, the Tesla CCS for the Model 3, which has a voltage up to 150kW DC, and the Tesla Type 2, for the Model S and Model X variants, also powered up to 150kW DC.
What’s the difference between AC & DC Connectors?
Electric vehicles can be charged using either AC or DC connectors. They play a key role in the way an EV is charged and the speed at which it’s charged.
Power that comes from the grid is always AC, but EV batteries can only store power as DC, which is why most electronic devices have a converter built into the plug.
AC - AC stands for Alternating Current and is typically used for either home or public fast charging at Levels 1 or 2. The voltage levels are lower than DC, up to 22kW, and specialise in being able to handle both positive and negative voltages, “alternating” back and forth. Your EV’s built-in onboard charger converts power from AC to DC, feeding the power into the battery.
DC - DC stands for Direct Current and is reserved for Level 3, rapid and ultra-rapid charging, found mostly at service stations and rapid charging points. DC can manage much higher voltage levels of up to 350kW and bypass the car’s onboard charger, supplying power straight to the battery.
Mastering the art of electric vehicle charging cables can be daunting at first, but once you understand your AC cable from DC cable, your fast charge from rapid charge and your Type 1 connector from your Type 2 connector, you’ll be able to safely and efficiently charge your electric car wherever and whenever you need.
If you own, or are thinking about purchasing, an electric car and struggle with charging it due to on-road parking, Kerbo Charge has the solution for you. We provide the opportunity to enjoy the money-saving benefits and convenience of charging an electric car at home with our innovative cable gully solution.
If you’d like more information about how Kerbo Charge works or would like to see if you can order in your area, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
