The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses a Type 1 (SAE J1772) charging inlet, not the Type 2 connector that dominates UK public charging today. That single fact is the most important thing to know before buying a cable. If you charge at home on a wallbox or want to use public AC chargers, you need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable. In this guide we explain exactly which cable to buy, what charge rate to expect, and why you don’t need to spend more than you think.
What charging inlet does the Outlander PHEV have?
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has two separate charging ports. For AC charging (slow or fast), the socket is a Type 1 connector, formally specified as SAE J1772 and covered under IEC 62196-2 (the AC connector standard for both Type 1 and Type 2). It is a 5-pin, single-phase socket located on the driver’s-side front quarter panel.
Type 1 was the dominant EV connector standard when the Outlander PHEV launched in the UK. Since then, the industry has converged on Type 2 (Mennekes, IEC 62196-2), and almost all public AC chargepoints now installed in the UK have a Type 2 socket or tethered Type 2 cable. This mismatch is the root of the compatibility question every Outlander PHEV owner faces.
For a fuller look at the connector standard itself, our guide to the Type 1 charging cable covers the history, pin layout, and how it sits alongside today’s infrastructure.
The second port, the DC rapid charging inlet, is a CHAdeMO socket, entirely separate from the AC inlet.
Which cable do you need? (Type 1 to Type 2 explained)
The answer is a Type 1 to Type 2 cable, rated 16A. This cable has a Type 1 plug at one end (into the car) and a Type 2 plug at the other (into the charger socket). It bridges the Outlander PHEV’s older inlet and today’s infrastructure.
For a side-by-side breakdown of the two standards, see our Type 1 vs Type 2 cable guide.
For home wallbox charging
Most UK wallboxes installed today have either a Type 2 socket or a tethered Type 2 cable. If yours has a Type 2 socket, a Type 1 to Type 2 cable is the connector. If it has a tethered Type 2 cable, that cable will not fit the Outlander PHEV’s Type 1 inlet. You still need your own Type 1 to Type 2 cable. A 16A rating is correct; there is no benefit to buying 32A (see the charge-rate section below).
Browse our Type 1 to Type 2 charging cables to find the right fit.
For public AC chargers
The same cable works at public AC chargepoints. The vast majority of UK public AC chargers now have Type 2 sockets: destination chargers at supermarkets, hotels, car parks, and workplaces all typically follow this standard. Plug the Type 2 end into the charger socket, the Type 1 end into the car. Some older public units have tethered Type 1 cables, but these are increasingly rare and not worth depending on when planning a journey.
For DC rapid charging (CHAdeMO, no cable needed)
Mk1 Outlander PHEVs and most Mk2 models include a CHAdeMO DC rapid port. The CHAdeMO cable is tethered permanently at the charger station. It is not something you purchase or carry. You lift the station’s cable and plug it into the car’s CHAdeMO inlet. No cable to buy.
Our CHAdeMO charging explained guide covers how rapid charging works in more detail.
What charge rate can the Outlander PHEV actually reach?
The Outlander PHEV’s onboard AC charger is rated at a maximum of 3.7kW (16A, single-phase), per Mitsubishi Motors UK’s onboard-charger spec sheets. This is a hard ceiling regardless of what the supply offers.
- 3-pin granny cable (Mode 2): approximately 2.3kW. Around 6-7 hours for a full charge on a ~13.8kWh Mk2; 4-5 hours on an older ~8.8kWh Mk1.
- Home wallbox via Type 1 to Type 2 cable: capped at 3.7kW by the car’s onboard charger. Full Mk2 charge in approximately 2.5-3 hours.
- Public AC charger via Type 1 to Type 2 cable: same, capped at 3.7kW.
- CHAdeMO DC rapid: up to 50kW (DC, tethered at the charger, separate standard).
Why a 32A cable is wasted money
The onboard charger limits AC draw to 16A / 3.7kW. The car’s electronics, not the cable, govern this. A 32A cable costs more, is heavier, and delivers nothing extra to the Outlander PHEV. Buy 16A.
What length cable should you choose?
The AC inlet is on the driver’s-side front quarter panel. For most home driveways, 5m reaches a wallbox mounted beside or ahead of the parking space comfortably. For public car parks where the chargepoint post may be a bay away, 7m gives useful extra reach. The cable also needs to reach around the car without straining the connector, so factor in whether you park bonnet-in or boot-in to the space.
Because PHEV charging sessions are short (typically under 3 hours at 3.7kW), a 10m cable adds unnecessary weight for almost no practical gain. We recommend starting with 5m and moving to 7m only if you regularly use awkward public bays or multi-storey car parks where charger placement is less predictable.
Did Mitsubishi supply a cable in the original kit?
Yes. Every Outlander PHEV was delivered new with a Mode 2 granny cable, a Type 1 to 13A plug cable governed by IEC 62752, which sets safety requirements for in-cable control and protection devices. Some deliveries also included a Type 1 to Type 2 cable, though this was not universal across all model years.
If you are buying second-hand, check the boot carefully. Many used examples arrive without either cable. If you have the granny cable but no Type 1 to Type 2 cable, you can top up from a household socket, but you cannot use a wallbox or public AC charger until you have one. If both cables are missing, start with a Type 1 to Type 2 cable; the granny cable is optional backup.
Our Type 1 to Type 2 charging cables collection covers 16A options in 5m and 7m. If you are also considering a future BEV, our Type 2 charging cables are there for reference, though the Outlander PHEV will always need the Type 1 end.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV use a Type 1 or Type 2 charging cable?
The Outlander PHEV uses a Type 1 (SAE J1772) inlet for AC charging. Almost all UK public AC chargers now have Type 2 sockets, so you need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable. A Type 2 to Type 2 cable (standard for most modern EVs) will not fit.
Can I use a 32A Type 1 cable with the Outlander PHEV?
A 32A cable will connect, but it offers no benefit. The Outlander PHEV’s onboard charger is capped at 16A / 3.7kW per Mitsubishi Motors UK spec. A 16A cable is the right choice.
Do I need to buy a CHAdeMO cable for the Outlander PHEV?
No. CHAdeMO cables are permanently tethered at the rapid charger. You use the station’s cable, with nothing to purchase or carry.
How long does it take to fully charge an Outlander PHEV?
On a 3.7kW wallbox via Type 1 to Type 2 cable: roughly 2.5-3 hours for a Mk2 (~13.8kWh). From a 3-pin granny cable (~2.3kW): 6-7 hours. Older Mk1 (~8.8kWh): about 2.5 hours on a wallbox, 4-5 hours from a 3-pin.
What cable did Mitsubishi include with the Outlander PHEV?
A Mode 2 granny cable (Type 1 to 13A, IEC 62752) came with every Outlander PHEV. Some deliveries also included a Type 1 to Type 2 cable. Second-hand buyers regularly find both missing and will need to purchase a Type 1 to Type 2 cable.
What length cable should I buy?
5m for most home driveways; 7m for public car parks or awkward layouts. Given PHEV charging sessions are short, 10m is rarely warranted.
Will a Type 2 to Type 2 cable work with the Outlander PHEV?
No. The AC inlet is Type 1. Your cable must have a Type 1 plug at the car end.
Is the Outlander PHEV’s AC charging single-phase or three-phase?
Single-phase only, up to 16A / 3.7kW. A three-phase supply will not increase the charge rate: 3.7kW is the car’s hardware ceiling.