Type 2 EV Charging Cables

Type 2 is the UK's universal connector for home and public AC charging, and every modern EV sold here uses it (the Mode 3 standard). The choice comes down to two things: rating and length. A 7kW cable (32A single-phase) covers everyday home charging, while a 22kW three-phase cable only earns its keep if your wallbox and supply can actually use it. Length follows your driveway, not the spec sheet. We stock 5m through 30m, all with UK warranty support and free next-working-day delivery on orders over £150.

217 productsAll in UK stock
Type 2 Charging Cables for UK EV owners

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Choosing a charging cable

A Type 2 charging cable is the standard AC charging cable for every electric car sold new in the UK and Europe since around 2014. It's the cable you plug from a Type 2 wallbox to your car, or from a public Type 2 charge post. If you've bought your EV new in the UK, this is the cable you need.

Connector type: Type 2 (Mennekes)

Type 2 (formally IEC 62196-2 Mode 3) is a hexagonal 7-pin connector developed by Mennekes in Germany. The European Commission mandated it as the AC standard in 2014, which is why every modern UK EV uses it. The plug supports single-phase up to 7.4kW (32A) and three-phase up to 22kW (32A × 3). It's the same connector at both ends of the cable (Type 2 to Type 2) for use at untethered (socketed) wallboxes and most public AC chargers.

Power rating: 7.4kW or 22kW?

The cable's current rating sets the upper limit on charging speed. A 32A cable on a 16A wallbox will work but waste your spend; a 16A cable on a 32A wallbox will throttle the charger to 16A.

  • 32A / 7.4kW single-phase: the UK home wallbox standard. Buy this unless you know you have three-phase.
  • 16A / 11kW three-phase: middle option for mixed homes; rare in UK.
  • 32A / 22kW three-phase: only useful if you have three-phase supply and an EV that accepts 22kW (most cap at 11kW even when premium).

Match the cable's rating to your wallbox spec. If you don't know your wallbox spec, 32A single-phase covers 95% of UK homes.

Length

The right length depends on the distance from your wallbox to the car's charge port, bear in mind the port might be on the front, back, left, right or even the rear-quarter depending on the car. Add 1-2m of slack so you're not straining the cable or sockets:

  • 5m: wallbox right beside the parking spot. Tightest layout.
  • 7.5m: wallbox a couple of metres away, charge port on either side.
  • 10m: most popular UK length. 4-8m of physical reach, useful slack for changing parking direction.
  • 15m+: long driveways, charging across a road, or sharing a charger with a neighbour.

Cable build quality

A daily-use cable lives outdoors. Construction matters more than headline price. What to look for:

  • IP55 minimum on the couplings: splash-proof to UK rain. IP66 if you'll leave it plugged in during storms.
  • Halogen-free woven jacket: lasts 5-10× longer than rubber in UK weather. Rubber goes brittle in winter and tacky in summer.
  • 1m drop-impact tested couplings: connectors will get dropped on tarmac at some point.
  • 2-year minimum manufacturer warranty on every cable we stock.

Tethered vs untethered consideration

If your wallbox is tethered (cable permanently attached), you don't need to buy a separate Type 2 cable, the wallbox came with one. Buy a Type 2 cable when: you have a socketed wallbox, you charge at public AC posts, you want a spare for a holiday let, or your tethered cable has been damaged and needs replacing. See our replacement cable range for direct-replacement options.

What it won't do

A Type 2 cable is for AC charging only. Public rapid (DC) chargers (Tesla Superchargers, Ionity, BP Pulse 150kW) use a different connector called CCS Combo 2, which is tethered to the rapid post itself. You don't carry a CCS cable. If you're shopping for a "fast cable to take on long journeys," what you actually need is to find rapid charge points along your route, your Type 2 cable stays in the boot for hotel and destination charging.

Questions

Will a Type 2 cable work with my car?
Yes, if your car was sold in the UK from approximately 2014 onwards, it will use Type 2 (the Mode 3 standard). All Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X UK, all current Hyundai/Kia EVs, all VW Group EVs, all BMW EVs, all Mercedes EQs, all Polestars, all Volvos use Type 2. Earlier models (early Leaf, Outlander PHEV) used Type 1, check your charge port shape.
What's the difference between 7kW and 22kW Type 2 cables?
7kW cables are 32A single-phase: the UK home standard. 22kW cables are 32A three-phase: they only deliver 22kW on a three-phase supply (rare in UK homes). On a single-phase supply, a 22kW cable will throttle to 7kW and still works.
How long should my Type 2 cable be?
10m is the most popular length for UK homes. It covers driveways where the wallbox is 4-8m from the parking spot. 5m if the wallbox is close. 15-25m for awkward layouts or charging across the road.
Do I need a Mode 3 cable or a Type 2 cable?
Same thing. 'Mode 3' is the IEC technical term for the AC charging method used by Type 2 cables. UK retailers tend to call them Type 2 cables; the technical spec is Mode 3.
How long does delivery take?
In-stock items ship same-day if ordered before 16:00 on a working day. Standard delivery is next-working-day across mainland UK. Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and remote Highlands take 2-3 working days. Free delivery on orders over £150.
What warranty do these come with?
Every product on our shelf carries a minimum two-year manufacturer warranty. We administer warranty claims directly: ship the replacement next-day and collect the original at no cost to you.

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