Electric car charging cables - without them, the electric car wouldn't move

If you purchase an electric vehicle (EV), it will undoubtedly come with a charging cable, but many drivers find reasons to buy additional cables. Sometimes it's a matter of preference, while other times it becomes an unavoidable necessity.

New EVs always include a basic charging cable for connection to a standard household electrical outlet as part of the standard specification. Increasingly, they also come with either Type 1 or Type 2 fast-charging cables (or CCS or CHAdeMO fast-charging cables). However, some manufacturers include only one cable by default and offer another as an optional extra for an additional fee. In such cases, drivers often need to purchase a full set of necessary charging cables.

Some manufacturers that do not include portable fast-charging cables argue that many buyers choose to install home charging stations, which often come with an integrated cable.

Such a cable is permanently attached to the charging station, making it always ready to use. This reduces hassle, and a tethered cable is less likely to be accidentally damaged or worn out since you won’t be unplugging it twice a day—at least not at the wall box end. This is one of the benefits of a charging station with an attached cable.

On the other hand, it becomes a limitation when you cannot take the tethered cable with you on trips and need to charge your EV away from home. That’s when a separate charging cable becomes essential, as many public fast chargers require drivers to provide their own cable. If you plan to charge at work, on the street, at shopping centers, or at gas stations, having a portable charging cable is often necessary.

Even if your car comes with an included fast-charging cable, there are various reasons you might want to purchase an additional one. For instance, you might prefer to leave one cable permanently attached to your home wall box—similar to a tethered cable—so you won’t have to take it out of the trunk each time you charge.

Others may find that the cable provided with the car is too short for their parking setup, or they may wish to upgrade to a cable that supports charging multiple vehicles. Sometimes a cable can be damaged by driving over it or bending it, and some people simply prefer to have a backup in case of unexpected issues like accidental damage, theft, or malfunction.

When purchasing an EV charging cable, it’s essential to choose the right one. There are three key factors to consider: connector types, power and phase ratings, and cable length. EVs typically use various charging cable connectors, and if you’re unsure which one your vehicle uses, they’re easy to identify visually, and the information is provided in the vehicle’s manual.

The seven-pin Type 2 connector is becoming the most popular standard for fast EV charging in Europe, but many older vehicles use the five-pin Type 1 connector. CCS is the most common fast charger connector in Europe, recognizable by its two additional connectors. CHAdeMO connectors feature a single round socket. Tesla vehicles use a modified version of the Type 2 plug, which connects exclusively to Tesla’s Supercharger network.

While charging cables are designed for outdoor use, being exposed to various weather conditions and constant sunlight can cause them to wear out more quickly. They’re also at a higher risk of accidental damage or theft. For this reason, cable manufacturers often provide storage bags or tidy clamps, which not only keep cables neatly stored in the car trunk but also protect them from wear and tear.