Introducing Our New EV Cable Selection Tool: Make an Informed Choice for Efficient Charging
At first glance, choosing an EV charging cable might seem simple—just pick a colour and length, right? However, if you want a future-proof solution tailored to your vehicle's needs, there’s more to consider. That’s why we’ve developed new tools on our website to help you make the right decision when selecting an EV cable. Let’s break down how our tools can guide you through the process.
Check out our EV cable buying guide
Which EV charging cable do I need??
When selecting an EV charging cable, it's essential to think beyond aesthetics like colour and length. For AC charging, there are three critical factors to consider: your charging habits, the available power source, and most importantly, your EV or PHEV’s onboard charger rating.
Our new online tool helps you assess these factors, guiding you to the best cable for your specific needs. This ensures you can charge your vehicle as efficiently as possible, whether at home, at the office, or at a public charging station.
Choosing an EV Charging Cable?
Selecting a Type 2 cable for your EV or PHEV might seem straightforward, but making a smart investment involves understanding the details that directly affect your charging efficiency.
Our tool simplifies this process by considering key elements like your vehicle’s onboard charger rating. For example, most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are equipped with single-phase charging systems and are typically rated at 6kW AC or less. In such cases, a 3-phase cable would be over-specified, as the vehicle cannot utilise the additional charging capacity.
For fully electric vehicles (EVs) with higher onboard charging ratings, such as 11kW or 22kW, a 3-phase cable becomes a more practical and versatile choice. As more 3-phase charging points become available, particularly at public or office stations, a 3-phase cable allows you to charge at the fastest rate possible.
Consider Your Charging Habits
The next factor to consider is your charging habits. Do you primarily charge at home, or do you use a combination of home, public, and workplace chargers? If your charging is limited to a single-phase setup at home, there’s little need to invest in a 3-phase cable. However, if you frequently charge at public or workplace stations where 3-phase charging is available, having a 3-phase cable provides flexibility and efficiency across various environments.
Future-Proofing Your Charging Setup
Our tool also highlights the benefits of future-proofing your setup. A 3-phase cable can be used not only at 3-phase stations but also at single-phase chargers, offering you versatility for different charging locations. For those with hybrid charging needs—home, office, and public stations—a 3-phase cable offers flexibility and ensures you won’t need to upgrade as more 3-phase chargers become available.
However, if your charging needs are strictly at home on a single-phase system, a single-phase cable might be the more cost-effective choice.
Making an Informed Decision
Our easy-to-use EV cable guide will walk you through the selection process based on your vehicle’s onboard charger rating, your charging habits, and the type of charging stations you frequent. Once you’ve determined these technical aspects, you can then choose the colour and length that suits your preference.
While aesthetics like colour and length are important, we strongly encourage customers to prioritise their vehicle's onboard charger rating and typical charging environment when selecting a cable. This approach ensures an efficient, cost-effective, and future-proof decision.
AC vs. DC Charging
It’s important to remember that our guide focuses on AC charging through a Type 2 connection, commonly used for home or office setups. Many modern EVs also support DC fast charging via the CCS system (Mode 4) at fast-charging stations. However, DC charging is not relevant for your home or office setup, as it operates differently.
For your daily charging needs, using the right AC cable is key to optimising your routine, and our tool will help you find the perfect solution.
With our new EV cable selection tool, making an informed decision has never been easier. Explore your options today and choose the best EV charging cable to keep your vehicle powered and ready for the road!
