Description

5m is the right cable when the charge point is close to the car. It is the cheapest of our lengths, the lightest to carry and the easiest to coil back into the boot. If you park nose in to a wallbox on the garage wall, 5m is usually plenty. If there is any doubt about reach, particularly on public charge points, go for the 10m instead.

We supply the 5m in four forms. Which one you need depends on the socket on your car:

• Type 2 to Type 2: for almost every EV and plug in hybrid sold in the UK since around 2014. Available in 16A, 32A single phase and 32A three phase.
• Type 2 to 3 Pin, 6 to 12A adjustable: charges a Type 2 car from an ordinary UK 13A socket, no wallbox needed.
• Type 1 to Type 2: for older cars with a Type 1 port, such as the early Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Available in 16A and 32A.
• Type 1 to 3 Pin, 6 to 12A adjustable: the domestic socket version for those same Type 1 cars.

Not sure which connector your car uses? Type 1 and Type 2 explained.

Our Type 2 to Type 2 and Type 1 to Type 2 cables are IP55 rated, and our 3 Pin cables are IP67 rated, so all of them are fine to use and leave connected outdoors in British weather. What the IP rating means. Each cable is produced to the IEC 62196 Type 2 standard, passes CE safety certification, and ships with a 2 year manufacturer's warranty and free next working day UK delivery.

Need more reach? We also stock 15m and 20m cables.

5m Charging Cable Speeds

These are the specifications we supply in 5m. Your car will charge at whichever is lower, its own onboard limit or the figure below.

The three phase 22 kW figure only applies if your vehicle has a three phase onboard charger and the charge point supplies three phase. Almost all UK homes are single phase, so for home charging the 32A single phase cable is the one to buy.

5m EV Charging Cable FAQs

Is 5m long enough, or should I take the 10m?

5m works when the charge point is within a couple of metres of the car's port, which usually means a wallbox on the garage wall and parking nose in. If you park either way round, share a driveway, or use public bays where the post sits behind you, the 10m removes the guesswork.

How do I know whether I need Type 1 or Type 2?

Look at the socket on the car, not the charge point. A seven pin round socket is Type 2, which covers almost every EV and plug in hybrid sold here since around 2014. A five pin socket is Type 1, found on older cars such as the early Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Will a 5m cable charge my car any faster than a longer one?

No. Shorter is cheaper, lighter and tidier to store, but it delivers exactly the same power. A 32A cable is a 32A cable at any length we sell. Your actual rate comes from whichever is lowest of the car's onboard charger, the supply at the charge point, and the cable's amp rating.

Should I choose 16A or 32A?

32A if your wallbox supports it, since that gives 7.4 kW against 3.7 kW for 16A, which is roughly half the charging time. 16A only makes sense when the wallbox or the car is limited to 16 amps, in which case the dearer cable buys you nothing. Most modern UK home units are 32A.

Can I use it in the rain and leave it plugged in overnight?

Yes. The Type 2 to Type 2 and Type 1 to Type 2 cables are IP55 rated, and the 3 Pin versions are IP67 rated, so a wet British night is well within what they are built for. Keep the connectors off standing water, do not drive over the cable, and coil it dry afterwards.

My wallbox already has a cable attached. Do I still need this?

Not for that wallbox, no. A tethered unit comes with its own lead. A 5m cable is for untethered wallboxes and for public posts, which are socket only and expect you to bring your own. If your tethered lead is simply too short, an extension cable adds reach instead.

Pros and cons

• Sustainably produced
• Ideal for everyday use
• May discolor in direct sunlight