Choosing the right charging cable for your electric car can feel confusing, especially if you are new to EV ownership. Single-phase or three-phase? How many amps do you actually need? And what is the difference between a Type 2 charging cable and a so-called “granny charger”? These are questions we hear every day, and the answers directly affect both charging speed and safety.
Many drivers end up buying the first cable they come across. If that cable does not match your car’s onboard charger or your home charging setup, you may charge much slower than necessary or pay for capacity your car cannot use. Whether you are looking for a Type 2 charging cable for everyday use at public charge points or trying to understand how a CCS connector works on long journeys, this guide helps you make the right choice and get the most out of your electric vehicle.
The most common EV charging options in the UK
In the United Kingdom – as in most of Europe – you will mainly encounter three different ways of charging your electric car. Understanding the difference is the first step towards choosing the right equipment.
Type 2 charging cable (AC charging)
Type 2 is the standard connector for AC charging across the UK and Europe. When you see a public charging point in a city centre, supermarket car park or a home wallbox, it will almost always use a Type 2 socket. This cable is used for AC (alternating current) charging and is the one you normally carry in your boot.
Without a Type 2 charging cable, you cannot use the many public charge points where the cable is not permanently attached to the charging station.
CCS2 (DC fast charging)
When you are on a longer journey and need to charge quickly, DC fast charging comes into play. This uses a CCS (Combined Charging System) connector, which combines the standard Type 2 connector with two additional DC pins. This allows rapid charging directly to the battery, typically from 10% to 80% in a short time.
Important to know: you never need to buy a CCS cable yourself. At DC rapid chargers, the cable is always thick, heavy and permanently attached to the charging station for safety reasons.
Granny charger (emergency charging via a socket)
Many electric cars are delivered with a so-called granny charger. It has a Type 2 plug for the car on one end and a standard household plug on the other. While this can be useful in emergencies, it is not designed for regular use.
Domestic sockets are not intended to deliver high current for many hours in a row, which increases the risk of overheating. Use a granny charger only when no other charging option is available.
Choosing a charging cable based on your car model
A cable fitting physically into your car is not enough. To achieve the fastest possible AC charging, the cable must match your car’s onboard charger. Some vehicles can only charge on a single phase, while others support three-phase charging.
For example, if your car supports 11 kW three-phase charging but you use a cable designed for single-phase charging, your charging time can be up to three times longer than necessary.
You can find charging cables tailored to your vehicle here: