EV Curiosity question- charging cables
Discussion
High speed public chargers have their own cables. I've got a Tesla so use the Tesla superchargers and they have their own cable.
I use my own cable when charging at home about once a week, otherwise it is in the boot of my car.
Most of us I guess also have the "granny chargers" where you can plug into a normal socket and get a slow charge. I probably use that once a year.
I use my own cable when charging at home about once a week, otherwise it is in the boot of my car.
Most of us I guess also have the "granny chargers" where you can plug into a normal socket and get a slow charge. I probably use that once a year.
I have a cable at home attached to the charger and a cable in the boot which barely gets used. All "fast" chargers have their own cable attached so no need to use your own (a "fast" charging cable is different to a "slow" charging cable). The only time I would use my own cable on the move would be at "slow" destination chargers (7kwh) - such as overnight at a hotel.
I carry 2 types of charge cable.
One is the 3-pin for use on a domestic socket. Called a granny charger, because they're usually used at granny's house when visiting overnight, or any other domestic situation. This has a Type 2 plug on one end for the car, and a 3-pin plug on the other end.
The other is a Type 2 cable, which is for use at public chargers which don't have tethered cables. These chargers are usually only supplying 3-22kw rates of charge, the same as you'd get from EV chargers installed at your home (which can themselves come with a tethered cable, or just a socket for this Type 2 cable I'm speaking about - it's personal choice which one prefers). So this cable is compatible with untethered domestic chargers and untethered low speed public chargers. These have Type 2 plugs on both ends.
High speed public chargers, i.e. above 22kw rate (and now up to 600-800kw rate chargers are coming on line for the latest cars which can charge at that rate) will always have their own tethered cables, so you don't need to use your own one.
One is the 3-pin for use on a domestic socket. Called a granny charger, because they're usually used at granny's house when visiting overnight, or any other domestic situation. This has a Type 2 plug on one end for the car, and a 3-pin plug on the other end.
The other is a Type 2 cable, which is for use at public chargers which don't have tethered cables. These chargers are usually only supplying 3-22kw rates of charge, the same as you'd get from EV chargers installed at your home (which can themselves come with a tethered cable, or just a socket for this Type 2 cable I'm speaking about - it's personal choice which one prefers). So this cable is compatible with untethered domestic chargers and untethered low speed public chargers. These have Type 2 plugs on both ends.
High speed public chargers, i.e. above 22kw rate (and now up to 600-800kw rate chargers are coming on line for the latest cars which can charge at that rate) will always have their own tethered cables, so you don't need to use your own one.
A very good summation. 
I would add that the untethered ones where you use your own cable as well as being classed as 'fast' (not really, just faster than a 3 pin plug at up to 22kW) are usually substantially cheaper, if you've the spare time. I've used them quite a bit in Cornwall, although I usually experienced only 6kW out of the supposed 7kW minimum, even if the only one there.
The recent reclassification puts the other tethered ones in the rapid and ultra-rapid category.
I would add that the untethered ones where you use your own cable as well as being classed as 'fast' (not really, just faster than a 3 pin plug at up to 22kW) are usually substantially cheaper, if you've the spare time. I've used them quite a bit in Cornwall, although I usually experienced only 6kW out of the supposed 7kW minimum, even if the only one there.
The recent reclassification puts the other tethered ones in the rapid and ultra-rapid category.
sixor8 said:
A very good summation.
I would add that the untethered ones where you use your own cable as well as being classed as 'fast' (not really, just faster than a 3 pin plug at up to 22kW) are usually substantially cheaper, if you've the spare time. I've used them quite a bit in Cornwall, although I usually experienced only 6kW out of the supposed 7kW minimum, even if the only one there.
The recent reclassification puts the other tethered ones in the rapid and ultra-rapid category.
Yes this is true. I charged overnight at a hotel recently where they claimed 7kw. I got 3kw. Fortunately the car ticked over to 100% charged just as I was leaving in the morning. It was far cheaper than a rapid charge, and speed wasn't a consideration as I was sleeping all night.I would add that the untethered ones where you use your own cable as well as being classed as 'fast' (not really, just faster than a 3 pin plug at up to 22kW) are usually substantially cheaper, if you've the spare time. I've used them quite a bit in Cornwall, although I usually experienced only 6kW out of the supposed 7kW minimum, even if the only one there.
The recent reclassification puts the other tethered ones in the rapid and ultra-rapid category.
croyde said:
Out of interest, what stops some scrote using your home charger whilst you are out?
And considering how expensive these cables are, I'm guessing they get nicked whilst the car is out being charged especially in public.
My tethered home charger is in the garage. For those who have them outside, I expect the risk of a massive electric shock puts off most thieves.And considering how expensive these cables are, I'm guessing they get nicked whilst the car is out being charged especially in public.
When using your own cable at a public charger, both the charge point and the car lock the cable in to the sockets. Again, trying to remove them would necessitate not only risk of massive electric shock, but also enormous, obvious violence.
It's an absolute non-issue. Also they're only about £80, so not exactly hugely expensive.
Interesting.
There was a reason I asked. I am working on a project with an electricity provider and we got onto the subject of the charging cables being regularly cut and stolen from public chargers. I wondered if it would be possible to remove the cable from the public charger completely and just have a panel in the side with a bunch of different plugs, so that you could just use the cable supplied with the car.
Cable thefts from chargers wouldn't then be a problem.
Also, from a personal point of view, my head has been turned by the Renault 4. Particularly the Iconic+ Plein Sud.
I've worked out I could lease one for not a lot and sell my current 2025 Kodiaq. The proceeds from that sale could be used to buy something old, AMG shaped with at least eight cylinders. The Renault would easily cover day to day duties and the the other car would be used for fun and longer journeys.
I think that is what is called Man Maths.....
There was a reason I asked. I am working on a project with an electricity provider and we got onto the subject of the charging cables being regularly cut and stolen from public chargers. I wondered if it would be possible to remove the cable from the public charger completely and just have a panel in the side with a bunch of different plugs, so that you could just use the cable supplied with the car.
Cable thefts from chargers wouldn't then be a problem.
Also, from a personal point of view, my head has been turned by the Renault 4. Particularly the Iconic+ Plein Sud.
I've worked out I could lease one for not a lot and sell my current 2025 Kodiaq. The proceeds from that sale could be used to buy something old, AMG shaped with at least eight cylinders. The Renault would easily cover day to day duties and the the other car would be used for fun and longer journeys.
I think that is what is called Man Maths.....
I've got a granny charger kept at home 99% of the time, unless we go away and aren't sure on charging. The standard 7kw/22kw cable that came with the car lives in the boot and rarely sees the light of day. Fast chargers are tethered so you don't need to bring a cable.
As far as using your charger while you're out, I believe they're app activated to stop this exact scenario. When I have mine fitted, it'll be switched off when not in use with the switch not accessible to the outside world. The cables also get locked in to the chargers and cars, though I'm sure a hefty tug from a suitably strong person would have it out without too much trouble.
As far as using your charger while you're out, I believe they're app activated to stop this exact scenario. When I have mine fitted, it'll be switched off when not in use with the switch not accessible to the outside world. The cables also get locked in to the chargers and cars, though I'm sure a hefty tug from a suitably strong person would have it out without too much trouble.
Wulf Sternhammer said:
Interesting.
There was a reason I asked. I am working on a project with an electricity provider and we got onto the subject of the charging cables being regularly cut and stolen from public chargers. I wondered if it would be possible to remove the cable from the public charger completely and just have a panel in the side with a bunch of different plugs, so that you could just use the cable supplied with the car.
Cable thefts from chargers wouldn't then be a problem.
Also, from a personal point of view, my head has been turned by the Renault 4. Particularly the Iconic+ Plein Sud.
I've worked out I could lease one for not a lot and sell my current 2025 Kodiaq. The proceeds from that sale could be used to buy something old, AMG shaped with at least eight cylinders. The Renault would easily cover day to day duties and the the other car would be used for fun and longer journeys.
I think that is what is called Man Maths.....
Instead of having the cable exposed you could have it internally secured and locked at the charge station and released. This could be via a deposit that goes against your charge and require the charger to redock and secured. There was a reason I asked. I am working on a project with an electricity provider and we got onto the subject of the charging cables being regularly cut and stolen from public chargers. I wondered if it would be possible to remove the cable from the public charger completely and just have a panel in the side with a bunch of different plugs, so that you could just use the cable supplied with the car.
Cable thefts from chargers wouldn't then be a problem.
Also, from a personal point of view, my head has been turned by the Renault 4. Particularly the Iconic+ Plein Sud.
I've worked out I could lease one for not a lot and sell my current 2025 Kodiaq. The proceeds from that sale could be used to buy something old, AMG shaped with at least eight cylinders. The Renault would easily cover day to day duties and the the other car would be used for fun and longer journeys.
I think that is what is called Man Maths.....
Wulf Sternhammer said:
Interesting.
There was a reason I asked. I am working on a project with an electricity provider and we got onto the subject of the charging cables being regularly cut and stolen from public chargers. I wondered if it would be possible to remove the cable from the public charger completely and just have a panel in the side with a bunch of different plugs, so that you could just use the cable supplied with the car.
Cable thefts from chargers wouldn't then be a problem.
Up to 22kW charging that's feasible and pretty common as that's the standard Type 2 cable. Above 22kW you're on to DC charging, usually with a CCS connector, which are much chunkier cables.There was a reason I asked. I am working on a project with an electricity provider and we got onto the subject of the charging cables being regularly cut and stolen from public chargers. I wondered if it would be possible to remove the cable from the public charger completely and just have a panel in the side with a bunch of different plugs, so that you could just use the cable supplied with the car.
Cable thefts from chargers wouldn't then be a problem.
For an average EV's 22kW is probably around 3 hours to charge 20-80%, and 5 or 6 for a full charge, hence most quite top up places are DC and AC tends to be where you're leaving your car for some time.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Wednesday 19th August 11:54
croyde said:
Out of interest, what stops some scrote using your home charger whilst you are out?
And considering how expensive these cables are, I'm guessing they get nicked whilst the car is out being charged especially in public.
I use a granny at home and hook it up outside the garage, so fill your boots, but the rate at which you could nick the 'leccy would be c45 pph And considering how expensive these cables are, I'm guessing they get nicked whilst the car is out being charged especially in public.
Wulf Sternhammer said:
There was a reason I asked. I am working on a project with an electricity provider and we got onto the subject of the charging cables being regularly cut and stolen from public chargers. I wondered if it would be possible to remove the cable from the public charger completely and just have a panel in the side with a bunch of different plugs, so that you could just use the cable supplied with the car.
Next time you're driving past a fast charger (150-300kwh) stop off and pick up the cable, they are incredibly heavy and cumbersome, and I suspect very expensive. It's not the kind of thing most people would want to be lugging about. Lots of them have tension cables to support the weight of them when in use.edc's suggestion sounds much more sensible, however I suspect the type of person prepared to steal one of these cables is the type that wouldn't have an issue smashing a housing to pieces as well.
sixor8 said:
A very good summation.
I would add that the untethered ones where you use your own cable as well as being classed as 'fast' (not really, just faster than a 3 pin plug at up to 22kW) are usually substantially cheaper, if you've the spare time. I've used them quite a bit in Cornwall, although I usually experienced only 6kW out of the supposed 7kW minimum, even if the only one there.
The recent reclassification puts the other tethered ones in the rapid and ultra-rapid category.
Not always cheaper. Depending on who owns/leases it or where it is.I would add that the untethered ones where you use your own cable as well as being classed as 'fast' (not really, just faster than a 3 pin plug at up to 22kW) are usually substantially cheaper, if you've the spare time. I've used them quite a bit in Cornwall, although I usually experienced only 6kW out of the supposed 7kW minimum, even if the only one there.
The recent reclassification puts the other tethered ones in the rapid and ultra-rapid category.
I stayed at a city hotel recently and they had those Untethered Rolec pole things you plug your own cable to which that are only 7kW. I thought it might good for an charge overnight for a few hours.
After I asked the reception how to connect to it when I got to the app it showed the price was 90p per kWh!
Bit of a ripoff so I didn't connect. Ended up driving a 3-4 miles down the road to an Ionity rapid charger for 47p per kWh for Ionity members. Would only pay that price if I was desperate and needed an emergency charge.
Wulf Sternhammer said:
You folk with EVs, do you carry your charging cable around with you and will that charging cable allow the same rate of charge as you would get at a commercial public charging point?
To answer the second point specifically, a portable charging cable will only support up to 22 kW. Faster chargers than this will have their own built-in cables which have much thicker copper wires, maybe an inch thick. The thicker copper means lower resistance, allowing faster charging (350kW or higher) without the cables turning into lightbulb filaments.This is fundamentally why there are different arrangements, and why there's enough copper in the rapid charger cables to be worth thieves stealing them.
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