Does it matter which EV cable I buy?

Does it matter which EV cable I buy? Surely they’re all pretty much the same? 

Yes, it does matter – they definitely aren’t all the same!

EV cables can be type 1 or type 2, 16 Amp or 32 Amp and Single or Three Phase. All these elements play a part in what the cable is capable of delivering to the vehicle.

If I buy a longer EV cable, does it take longer to charge the car? Does a longer or bigger cable push more charge through, more quickly? 

No, unfortunately not – the cable’s length makes no difference to charging speeds or charging capability. It’s just a longer length to make it easier to access the charging unit if, for example, you have a longer driveway, and the charging unit is closer to the house.

How do I know if my car is type 1 or 2? 

The type refers to the kind of connection between car and cable.

Type 1 is a five-pin plug with a clip. Type 1 is normally found on EV’s manufactured by Asian brands, with the exception of newer Nissans models.

Type 2 is a seven-pin plug with a flat top edge – this connector is typically found on European and American brands such as BMW.

 

Can the same EV cable be used for different brands of EV car?

Yes, as long as the type is correct for that vehicle. For example, a Mini and Range Rover both use type 2, and the same cable could be used to charge both vehicles.

Can I buy a CHAdeMO or CCS/CCS2 rapid charging cable for my vehicle to use on public chargers? 

No, CHAdeMO and CCS charging are not available to buy as they are always tethered to the rapid (DC) charger (24kW or Above).

The only cables you can purchase to use on public chargers are for AC Destination chargers (3.7kW to 22kW). All the chargers have a Type 2 connection at the charger end, you then need to pick the correct end for your vehicle (Type 1 or 2 and with the correct power rating and phase), if you are not sure you can find out via our cable finder.

How long will a cable last? 

Like any electrical consumable it depends on use and care, but at SaveMoneyCutCarbon we feel with the cost involved they should be covered for 5 years, which is why we are one of the only suppliers in the UK to offer a 5-year warranty.

Why do I need to put the cover on the end of my cable when not using it? 

Why do you cover your barbecue when not in use? Why do you cover outdoor plug sockets?

To protect them from the ever-changing British weather of course – weather damaged pins could cause the cable to malfunction.

Can I leave my cable on the charger when it’s not in use? Do I have to unplug the other end when I’m not using it?

You can leave it on the charger, but it’s not advisable. If your charger location is private and inaccessible it will probably be fine. If not, then the cable is open to theft on certain charge points, and it could also potentially allow other people to access your charger and energy – costing you money.

We always recommend to safely store your cable away from the elements and anything else that could damage or take it.

How heavy are the cables? Do they take up lots of space in the boot of my car? 

Cables can weigh as much as 5kg, depending on specification.

We recommend a cable bag or tidy to keep them separate from your boot contents, as you may have been charging in the rain, and the last thing you want is to make the entire contents of your boot all wet.

This is my boot below, to show you how easy they are to tuck away. Can you spot it?