With so many options on the market it can be confusing to work out which EV charging cable you need for your electric vehicle, so we've made this guide to take the confusion out of choosing the right EV cable.

Just as there are different types of fuel for fossil-fuel cars, there are different types of chargers for electric vehicles. Most EV cars in Europe are now Type 2, but some, especially those from Asian manufacturers are still Type 1. It is important to ensure you know which type your car is before you begin looking to buy a charging cable. You can check this in your manufacturer's guide, by contacting the manufacturer itself or by checking this handy guide on the Pod point website.

Let's look at the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 EV Chargers.

What is a Type 1 EV charger?

Type 1 chargers have a 5-pin design. This type of EV charger is single phase and provides fast charging at an output between 3.7kW and 7.4kW AC which provides between 12.5-25 miles of range per charging hour.

Type 1 charging cables also feature a latch to keep the plug in place securely during charging. However, although the latch stops the cable from falling out accidentally, anyone is able to remove the charge cable from the car.

What is a Type 2 EV Charger?

This is now the standard plug type in Europe. Type 2 chargers have a 7-pin design and accommodate both single and three-phase mains power. Type 2 cables generally provide between 30 and 90 miles of range per charging hour. With this type of charger it is possible to reach domestic charging speeds of up to 22kW and speeds of up to 43kW at public charge stations. It is much more common to find a Type 2 compatible public charging station.

Type 2 charging cables have a locking pin that keeps the plug in place during charging. Only the owner will be able to unplug the charging cable from the car which makes them more secure, especially if they are used at public charging stations.

 

Other Factors That Can Affect the Charging Speed of an Electric Vehicle Include:

  • The Size of the Vehicle's Battery: The larger the battery capacity, the longer it will take to charge
  • Current Battery Charge Level: It is quicker to top up with charge, rather than charge from a completely empty battery
  • The Maximum Charging Rate of the Chargepoint: The charging time will be limited by the maximum charging rate of the chargepoint you have plugged the vehicle into. for Example, even if your car can charge at 22kW, it will still only charge at 7kW at a 7kW chargepoint
  • The Maximum Charging Rate of the Vehicle: The battery will only be capable of charging at its maximum charge rate. For example if the maximum charge rate of your vehicle is 7kW, it will not charge anyfaster on a 22kW chargepoint
  • Environment: Colder temperatures can slightly increase the charge time. This is particularly true in the case of rapid chargers.

 

If you are considering purchasing a EV chargepoint for your home, you may want to know more about the changes to the Government's OLEV grant which come into effect in April 2022.

We hope that we have helped you to understand the main differences between Type 1 and Type 2 EV charge cables. If you are ready to buy, we stock a range of EV charging equipment including a selection of EV charging cables from popular manufacturers such as Pod Point, Wallbox, OHME, Rolec, Sync EV and Project EV.

If you still have questions or need some help to ensure you buy the right EV charger for your car, please give one of our friendly team a call on 0203 994 5470 or email sales@electricpoint.com.