How to Choose The Right EV Cable For Your Car? The Guide
Choosing an EV cable to charge your electric car depends on several factors. Usually, a cable is included in your purchase when you buy a new electric car. However, if you buy a used car, you often need to find an accompanying cable. Moreover, you sometimes need more than one cable if your car is exposed to very different charging conditions. Read this blog to find out which cable is right for your electric car.
Type 2 vs. Type 1 EV Cable
The most obvious division you will encounter while shopping for an EV cable is between Type 2 and Type 1.
Type 2 cable is a standard EV charging cable for most electric cars. It is an European standard for EV cables, though today, it is basically a charging cable for most popular electric car brands. This electric vehicle cable works for Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes, Smart, Nissan Leaf post-2018, and many other standard cars. New cars launching from the 2020s onward usually use Type 2 cables.
Type 1 is an older version of an EV charging cable that lost its popularity in Europe but is still common in Asia and North America.
Some cars that use Type 1 cable are Nissan Leaf (its 2017 and earlier versions), Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Soul, and the very popular Toyota Prius.
If you are not entirely sure what type of charger to get, check the charging port of your car. Charging ports connected to Type 1 and Type 2 cables look very different. The type 2 port has seven holes inside, and five of them have pins. Type 1 port only has five holes. The cable is connected to it with the help of a special latch. All in all, Type 1 cables have a more old-fashioned design compared to Type 2 cables.
EV Cables for Charging a Tesla Car
In general, EV cables for charging a Tesla car are type 2. However, Tesla uses a modified version of type 2 cables explicitly made for their vehicles.
Currently, Tesla offers Tesla Supercharger, a modified Type 2 plug that charges the car to 80 percent in half an hour. If you own a Tesla car, it is best to possess a specific charging cable for a Tesla car. You can get widely available Plug 1 and Plug 2 adapters for your Tesla.
Three-Phase Charging vs. One-Phase Charging
Single-phase cables charge your electric car using only one cable conductor, while three-phase cables have as many as three conductors. Three-phase charging has a much higher speed compared to one-phase charging.
Most modern cars on the market support both three-phase and single-phase charging, but some older models of Hyundai, Nissan, and Kia are compatible only with single-phase charging.
If you use a standard socket to charge an electric car on your property, single-phase charging is the only option available. However, if you possess a 3-phase supply at your property, 3-phase charging is perfect for you. Three-phase charging is optimal as it saves time, especially if your family has more than one electric car in your garage. Naturally, three-phase chargers and three-phase charging cables are more expensive than one-phase analogs.
Whatever you choose, note that one-phase charging is supported only by cables with type 1 plugs.
16 Amps vs. 32 Amps
EV cables come in 16 Amps and 32 Amps variations, determining their charging capacity. 16 Amps used to be more common in houses. Some old cars can only charge on 16A, while newer cars run on 32A. 32A cables are future-proof and will work on your new car as well.
The charging capacity of a single-phase 16A cable is 3,7 KW, three-phase 16A is 7,4 kW, single-phase 32A is 11kW, and three-phase 32A is 22kW.
How Long Are EV Charging Cables?
EV charging cables can be between 2,5 meters and 10 meters, with the length of approximately 4 to 5 meters considered optimal. However, the length you need in your particular case depends on the distance from your car to your charger.
All in all, while 32A three-phase type 2 cable is the most efficient, the choice depends on your unique circumstances and your car.
