Every Mercedes EQ uses a Type 2 inlet, but what goes into that inlet depends entirely on which EQ you drive. The EQA, EQB, and EQE all support 11kW three-phase AC charging, meaning a 3-phase 32A cable is the right call. The EQC (still common on UK roads despite being discontinued) tops out at 7.4kW single-phase, so a single-phase 32A cable is all you need. Below we walk through every current and recent EQ model so you can buy once and charge confidently.
What connector does every Mercedes EQ use?
Type 2 for AC, CCS for DC: consistent across the range
All Mercedes EQ models (EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE, and EQS) share the same connector standard for AC charging: the Type 2 inlet, defined by IEC 62196-2. This is the universal AC charging standard across the UK and Europe, which means any Type 2 cable will physically fit your car and any public AC charge post. For DC rapid charging, all EQ models use CCS (Combined Charging System), the second port in your charge flap. No cable is needed for CCS; rapid chargers are tethered.
So the connector question is settled: Type 2 on every EQ, no exceptions. Where things diverge is in the onboard charger, the hardware inside the car that converts AC power from the cable into DC power for the battery. And those differences matter enormously for which cable spec you should buy.
Mercedes EQ onboard charger breakdown by model
EQA: 11kW three-phase
The EQA is equipped with an 11kW three-phase onboard charger. According to Manufacturer onboard-charger spec sheets (Mercedes-Benz UK), this draws 16A across three phases (3 × 16A × 400V), reaching the full 11kW at any three-phase charge point or compatible three-phase wallbox. Cable recommendation: 3-phase 32A Type 2 cable. A 32A-rated cable gives you headroom for the 16A draw per phase and works at 11kW wallboxes and public posts alike.
EQB: 11kW three-phase
The EQB shares the same 11kW three-phase onboard charger as the EQA. Manufacturer onboard-charger spec sheets (Mercedes-Benz UK) confirm the identical 16A × 3 draw. Cable recommendation: 3-phase 32A Type 2 cable, same as the EQA.
EQC: 7.4kW single-phase (and why this changes everything)
This is where EQ owners are most frequently misled. The EQC (Mercedes’s first modern EV, now discontinued but with thousands of examples still in service on UK roads) uses a single-phase onboard charger rated at 7.4kW. That is 32A on a single phase at 230V.
The critical implication: the EQC cannot use three-phase power. If you plug a 3-phase 32A cable into an EQC, the car will draw single-phase current regardless. You will not charge faster; you will simply have paid more for a cable spec your car does not need. Our guide to single vs three-phase charging explains the underlying physics in full. The short version is that the onboard charger, not the cable, determines how many phases are used.
Cable recommendation for EQC: single-phase 32A Type 2 cable. It delivers the car’s maximum 7.4kW AC rate and costs less than a 3-phase equivalent.
EQE: 11kW standard, optional 22kW
The EQE comes with an 11kW three-phase onboard charger as standard, making it identical in cable requirements to the EQA and EQB. However, Mercedes offered the EQE with an optional 22kW onboard charger upgrade, and if your EQE has that option fitted, the cable and infrastructure requirements change.
For EQE 22kW: you need a 3-phase 32A cable rated for 22kW (32A × 3 phases × 400V = 22kW) and, crucially, a charge point capable of delivering 22kW three-phase output. Most home wallboxes max out at 7.4kW (single-phase) or 11kW (three-phase). A 22kW-capable wallbox or commercial post is required to see any benefit from the upgraded charger. Buying only the cable without the supporting infrastructure will not increase your charging speed. Our 7kW vs 22kW guide helps you assess whether the 22kW setup makes practical sense for your situation.
Cable recommendation: 3-phase 32A cable for standard EQE; 22kW-rated 3-phase 32A cable if the optional 22kW charger is fitted.
EQS: a brief note on 22kW standard
The EQS sits above the EQE in Mercedes’s range and comes with a 22kW three-phase onboard charger as standard. The same infrastructure constraints apply. If you own an EQS, browse our 22kW charging cables range and verify your charge point can match that output.
- EQA | Type 2 | 11kW | 3-phase | 3-phase 32A cable recommended
- EQB | Type 2 | 11kW | 3-phase | 3-phase 32A cable recommended
- EQC | Type 2 | 7.4kW | Single-phase | Single-phase 32A cable sufficient
- EQE | Type 2 | 11kW std / 22kW optional | 3-phase | 3-phase 32A cable; 22kW cable if option fitted
Does Mercedes supply a granny cable with EQ cars in the UK?
No. Unlike some manufacturers, Mercedes does not include a Mode 2 granny cable (IEC 62752) in the box with UK EQ vehicles. A Mode 2 cable, sometimes called a granny cable, allows you to charge from a standard domestic 13A socket and is covered by the IEC 62752 safety standard, which mandates an in-cable control box (ICCB) to manage the current safely.
Based on our experience helping Mercedes EQ owners at EV Cable Hub, this catches many new EQ owners off guard, particularly those who expected to use a domestic socket as a backup when away from a wallbox or public charger. If you want that flexibility, you will need to purchase a Mode 2 cable separately. Bear in mind that domestic socket charging delivers roughly 2.3kW, sufficient as an emergency measure, but not a practical daily charging method. We treat it as a useful safety net, not a primary solution.
Browse our type-2 charging cables range for untethered cables, or our mercedes EV charging cables page for brand-specific recommendations.
Which cable length should you choose?
Port location varies across the EQ range, and it affects the cable length that works best for your parking setup:
- EQA: charge port rear-left
- EQB: charge port rear-left
- EQC: charge port left (mid-body)
- EQE: charge port rear
For most home driveways where the wallbox is mounted on a side or rear wall, a 5m cable will cover the majority of EQA, EQB, and EQC setups. The EQE’s rear port means you will typically approach the wallbox from behind the car, which can reduce the effective reach needed, though driveway geometry varies. At public charge points, where socket placement is less predictable, a 7.5m cable gives useful extra reach, particularly at bays designed for a range of vehicle types. Consult our cable length guide to work through your specific parking arrangement.
Cable recommendations by EQ model
To summarise the guidance above:
Mercedes EQA: 3-phase 32A Type 2 cable to access the full 11kW onboard charger. Browse type-2 charging cables.
Mercedes EQB: 3-phase 32A Type 2 cable, identical requirement to EQA. Browse type-2 charging cables.
Mercedes EQC: Single-phase 32A Type 2 cable: the onboard charger is single-phase 7.4kW; a 3-phase cable adds no benefit. Browse mercedes EV charging cables.
Mercedes EQE (standard 11kW): 3-phase 32A Type 2 cable. This covers the standard onboard charger. Browse type-2 charging cables.
Mercedes EQE (optional 22kW) and EQS: 22kW-rated 3-phase 32A Type 2 cable, and confirm your charge point delivers 22kW. Browse 22kW charging cables.
The EV Cable Hub first-party data confirms that the most common purchasing mistake among Mercedes EQ owners is buying a 3-phase cable for an EQC. If you are unsure which variant your EQE has, check the original order confirmation or the onboard charger spec in the Mercedes Me app. It will list the maximum AC charge rate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a 3-phase cable on my Mercedes EQC?
Yes. A 3-phase Type 2 cable will physically connect to the EQC’s Type 2 inlet. However, the EQC’s onboard charger is single-phase only, rated at 7.4kW. The car will draw single-phase power regardless of the cable spec, so you will see no speed improvement over a single-phase 32A cable. Save money and buy the single-phase option.
What cable do I need if my EQE has the optional 22kW onboard charger?
You need a 3-phase 32A Type 2 cable rated for 22kW, plus a charge point capable of delivering 22kW three-phase output. The cable alone will not increase charging speed, because most home wallboxes supply 7.4kW or 11kW. Check your wallbox or public charger specifications before expecting 22kW speeds.
Is the charge port in the same place on all Mercedes EQ models?
No. The EQA and EQB have a rear-left port; the EQC has a left-side port; the EQE has a rear port. Port position affects the cable length you need, particularly on narrow driveways or tight public bays.
Does Mercedes supply a granny cable with EQ cars sold in the UK?
No. Mercedes does not include a Mode 2 granny cable (IEC 62752) in the box with UK EQ vehicles. If you want the option to charge from a domestic 13A socket, you will need to purchase one separately from EV Cable Hub.
What is a Type 2 cable and is it the same as Mennekes?
Type 2 refers to the IEC 62196-2 connector standard, sometimes called Mennekes after the German manufacturer that pioneered the design. It is the mandatory AC charging standard across the UK and Europe. All Mercedes EQ models (EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE, EQS) use a Type 2 inlet for AC charging.
Will a Type 2 cable from EV Cable Hub work at public chargers?
Yes. Public AC charge points in the UK use Type 2 sockets (or tethered Type 2 cables). An untethered Type 2 cable from EV Cable Hub connects your EQ to any standard public AC post. DC rapid chargers use the CCS port, a separate connection built into your EQ’s charge flap; no cable is needed for DC charging.
What charging speed will I get from a standard home wallbox?
That depends on your EQ model and your wallbox output. An EQA, EQB, or standard EQE connected to an 11kW three-phase wallbox will charge at up to 11kW. An EQC on any wallbox is capped at 7.4kW. An EQE with the optional 22kW charger needs a 22kW-capable wallbox to reach that speed. Most home units will deliver 7.4kW or 11kW instead.