What Charge Cable Do I Need For My EV? A Simple Guide For New EV Drivers

Why EV Charging Cables Can Be Confusing

Like cars, not all EV charging cables are made the same or do the same job, although many new EV drivers would assume that they are.

It’s an easy misconception to make, but understanding which cable your EV needs, the power requirements of your vehicle and the different safety types makes charging faster, easier and safer too.

Across the Roadchef network, we’re making charging pain-free with easy-to-use, easy-to-understand and speedy 360kW GRIDSERVE chargers whilst online, our new Everything EV Hub within our Motorway Matters blog makes sure that we’re quelling the myths that often come with a new technological advancement.

Read on, and we’ll help you recharge to get back on the road with ease.

Explaining The Different Types of EV Charging Cables

Type 1

The ‘OG’ if you will, Type 1 charging cables are typically found on older vehicles that started the EV revolution like the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi PhEV.

They are the slowest of the charging cables and operate on single-phase AC power only.

Single phase is often found in homes (mainly for safety) with low power through a single live wire and a single neutral wire, differing from the three live wires in three phase systems found in Type 2.

Type 2

Quicker and offering more power output than their Type 1 colleagues, Type 2 cables are found in most modern EVs and have the versatility to be used out on the motorway or at home.

Unlike CHAdeMO and CCS chargers, Type Two still only offers access to AC charging, which is largely being phased out in away-from-home charging infrastructure. This is because Type 2 Charging Cables don’t offer the rapid charging capabilities of these more recent EV Charging developments.

Rapid Charging Cables - CHAdeMO vs CCS

Whilst both of these rapid charging solutions are available across the Roadchef network, manufacturers and infrastructure providers are phasing out CHAdeMO connectors for their CCS counterparts.

This is mainly in part due to the European Commission ruling that mandated and promoted the rollout of CCS as the designated rapid-charging solution for EV vehicles.

CCS seems to have been adopted more by the European and American vehicle manufacturers, whilst those in Japan are using the CHAdeMO technology more frequently. This tends to be a good ‘rule of thumb’ for discovering what charging technology is used on your vehicle.

CCS offers an integrated solution, taking both DC and AC currents through a single seven pin plug whilst CHAdeMO only offers DC charging. This makes CCS better equipped to handle higher power up to 360kW (and potentially beyond.)

With A Variety Of Charging Options, Do I Need to Carry My Own Cable?

The great news is that if your car is full of suitcases, children asking for Happy Meals, passengers asking for Costa Coffee or you’re just forgetful, all Roadchef x GRIDSERVE high-powered chargers have built-in cables.

Plus, with a variety of AC, medium-powered and high-powered charging hubs at all Roadchef locations, we’ll have something to suit your vehicle type.

This means you can rest, recharge and relax with a tall skinny Frappuccino or a LEON wrap, without the need to worry that you’re stuck on the motorway without the ability to charge.

When you return to your destination though - be that the forward-thinking office or just back home to recharge, you’ll need your own Type 2 cable to recharge.

Investing in a good quality (and safe) Type 2 charger makes charging from home easier.

Read our advice for choosing the right charging cable for the British weather here.

Which Cable Works Where?

Not all chargers use the same cables - and not all chargers are built the same. In this short guide, we’ll help you to use the correct cable for your location.

Home Charging

Using an AC current, home charging uses the standard Type 2 cable or the Type 1 if you’re in an older generation EV.

These ‘slower’ or ‘trickle’ chargers are built to charge your vehicle overnight, offering 3kW to 7kW, and can fully charge a vehicle in roughly eight hours whilst you sleep.

Our hotels at Super 8 by Wyndham Durham and Super 8 by Wyndham Chester offer pre-bookable ‘trickle chargers’ for a small additional charge (no-pun intended), meaning you can rest in a SilentNight bed whilst your vehicle prepares for the Journey Onward.

Motorway Charging

High-power or rapid charging uses the CCS or CHAdeMO connectors, all built in to the charging hub to make charging easy.

These chargers offer up to 360kW and can charge your vehicle to the optimum 80% in just half an hour; enough time to take that rest stop, grab a Costa Coffee, do some WHSmith shopping and grab a cheeky McFlurry from McDonalds.

Are All Charging Cables Safe?

Like everything you buy, cheap imports and fakes can dramatically reduce quality. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

EU Safety Standards ensure that cabling meets safety requirements to ensure that recharging doesn’t damage your EV and that the cable is built to withstand heat whilst the housing is built to resist water.

To avoid non-certified cables, look out for CE and UKCA certification which is marked on the body of the cabling whilst the housing should be IP marked. You can discover more about the different IP standards in our article on ‘Charging in the Rain’.

Of course, there’s no need to worry about your cabling at Roadchef x GRIDSERVE chargers, our built in cabling has been rigorously tested to meet the highest standards for safety and guarantee a quality charging experience, time after time.

We’re Making EV Charging Simple for Everyone

Whether you’re an electric driving novice or a seasoned EV driver, we’re making it easy for everyone to make greener journeys.

Alongside GRIDSERVE’s 24/7 customer service line, our team can support you with your charging session and make your stay with us relaxing. We guarantee the best place to charge on the motorway , time after time.

Our charging networks have compatibility with all major EV brands, including new brands like BYD, so there’s never a need to worry that we won’t have a charging solution to suit you.

All EV chargers at Roadchef sites have built-in cables, giving you less to worry about when you’re loading up the car for your journey ahead.

Then whilst your vehicle is charging, why not grab a Costa Coffee to recharge your own brain and body or head to our new ‘Roadchef & Co-op’ stores to grab something to satisfy your taste buds now and something Irresistible for later on.

Choosing the Right Cable for Your EV is Simple

As a standard rule, most new EVs and many of those built after 2013, will use Type 2 and CCS.

You won’t need to worry though, because all EV Chargers at Roadchef have built in cables meaning you can tap, plug-in and go inside for that well-deserved coffee break in our main amenity building.

EV Driving has never been easy and, at Roadchef, charging your vehicle has never been easier.