It’s becoming increasingly common for car manufacturers to include at least one type of charging cable with their vehicles, but is it the right cable for getting the most out of your EV?
We’re here to advise you on the different types of charging cables and which ones you should be using to optimise your EVs potential. Read on to find out more.
Is There A Charging Cable Included With EVs?
Yes, most EVs will come with a standard charging cable so that you can charge your new car immediately.
Nearly all EVs will come with a three-pin charging cable, meaning you can plug your electric vehicle into a normal socket if you haven’t had a charging port installed in your home. However, the issue with the three-pin cable is that it can’t be used for public chargers. Public chargers require type 1 or 2 cables to power your vehicle.
Most new EVs and PHEVs in the UK use a type 2 charging cable for both public and home charging points. Some older EVs and PHEVs may also be compatible with Type 1 chargers, though this is becoming less common.
Three-Pin vs Type 2 Cables
A three-pin charging cable isn’t a bad option if you’ve just got your EV – it’s an easy solution to getting your car some charge at home; however, it will be far slower than using a type 1 or 2 cable.
For example, for the Fiat 500E (2020), it will take:
19 hours to reach full charge with a three-pin cable at home.
6 hours to reach full charge with a 7kW charging point and type 1 or 2 cable at home.
20 minutes to go from 20-80% charge using a 150kW public rapid charging and type 1 or 2 cable.
A three-pin charger is a viable option if you have the time to charge your vehicle at home. However, for a long-term solution, we would recommend using a proper charging port and cable to get the most out of your EV. Three-pin chargers should be used when you don’t have a valid alternative.
Do Cable Types Affect Energy Costs?
Charging your EV with a three-pin charging cable could become an expensive endeavour, especially as the longer charge time will most likely require you to charge your EV during peak energy times (which have a higher tariff than off-peak).
With type 1 or 2 chargers and a charging point, you could charge your EV solely in overnight off-peak hours, saving a lot of money in the long run.
Though the upfront cost of installing a charging point may seem daunting, there are lots of grants to help you afford the initial payment. Over time, it will pay for itself in money saved.
High-quality cables are also important in ensuring your EV works to its full potential. Bad-quality cables could damage your electric vehicle and could waste energy if they’re not properly manufactured to carry electricity.
Smartly Charging Cables
Here at Smarty, we offer a range of high-quality cables for your EV charging needs. We’re dedicated to providing our customers with any information they need about EV charging so that you can make the most out of your electric vehicle.
Our products are manufactured here in the UK or sourced from reputable European manufacturers. We ensure we’re only selling products that will work to exceptional standards. We have Smartly Type 2 To Type 2 Charging Cables as well as Smartly Type 1 To Type 2 Cables.
Smartly Tethered Charging Cables are also available. They can be used to replace the tethered cable attached to your charger. If you’d like to order any of our cables, please do get in touch.
Need More Advice?
If you’re not sure what cable to use for your EV, or you need more information on any of our products or services, get in touch today! We’re more than happy to advise you on any questions you may have.
