Choose by four facts: your car’s inlet (Type 2, Type 1/J1772 or NACS), the type of charger you will plug into (socketed station or household outlet), the current and phases you need (16 A or 32 A, single or three-phase), and the length that reaches your charge port. In Europe and Australia, most drivers need a Type 2 to Type 2 Mode 3 cable for public stations; in North America, public stations have attached cables and you mostly need an adapter or a portable charger.
Four-Step Selector
| Step | Question | Typical answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is your car’s inlet? | Type 2 (EU/UK/AU), J1772 or NACS (North America) |
| 2 | Where will you charge? | Socketed station: Mode 3 cable. Wall outlet: portable charger |
| 3 | How much power? | 32 A covers single-phase 7 kW; three-phase 32 A covers 22 kW |
| 4 | How long? | 5 m for most bays; 7.5 m or more for awkward parking |
Is 5 m Long Enough?
For most public bays and driveways, yes. A 5 m cable reaches when you park close with the charge port facing the charger. Choose 7.5 m if your port is on the far side, you park nose-in and the port is at the rear, or your home charger is mounted away from the bay. Longer cables are heavier and more likely to be driven over; see our cable length guide.
What Does a Cable Cost?
Plain Mode 3 cables are the cheapest option, with price rising with current rating, three-phase capability and length. Portable chargers with control boxes cost more because they contain protection electronics. Choose certified products from known brands; cheap uncertified cables can overheat.
Options
For Type 2 cars that also need to use domestic or industrial sockets, a portable charger such as the EVDANCE EV-ACS3210E 32A Type 2 portable charger or the three-phase EVDANCE ACS1605PE 11 kW three-phase portable charger covers both. NACS drivers in North America can use the EVDANCE EV-ACS3210T 32A NACS portable charger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cable do I need for public charging in the UK?
A Type 2 to Type 2 Mode 3 cable, ideally rated 32 A and three-phase capable.
Can I buy a longer cable for my home charger?
On socketed chargers, yes. On tethered chargers, only the manufacturer’s replacement cable.
Is a three-phase cable worth it?
If your car supports 11 or 22 kW AC, yes; it also works on single-phase.
Related Reading
- Are All EV Charging Cables the Same?
- Can You Extend an EV Charging Cable?
- EV Charger Cable Length Guide
- Tethered vs Socketed Wallbox Chargers
Key Takeaways
- Match inlet, charger type, current and length.
- 5 m suits most bays; 7.5 m suits awkward parking.
- Portable chargers cost more than plain cables because they include electronics.