A Type 2 cable is the single most-used EV accessory in Europe — and one of the most misunderstood. Here's how to pick the right one in five minutes.
Step 1: Check your car's onboard charger
Your car has a maximum AC charging rate, set by its onboard charger. Common values are 7.4KW (single-phase), 11KW (three-phase) and 22KW (three-phase). You'll find it in your car's spec sheet. A cable rated higher than your car's maximum is fine (it's future-proof); a cable rated lower will bottleneck your charging.
Step 2: Single-phase or three-phase?
- Single-phase (up to 7.4KW): common for smaller EVs and plug-in hybrids.
- Three-phase 16A (11KW): the sweet spot for most modern EVs in Europe — a full overnight charge for almost any battery.
- Three-phase 32A (22KW): maximum AC speed, useful if both your car and your charging point support it.
Our recommendation for most drivers: a 22KW three-phase cable. It works with every charging point, supports every car, and never becomes the bottleneck — even if you upgrade your EV later.
Step 3: Pick the right length
5 meters covers most home and public charging situations. Choose 7–10 meters if you park nose-in, share a charger between two parking spots, or use public chargers where the socket position varies. Longer is more flexible; shorter is lighter and easier to store.
Step 4: Don't skip the safety ratings
Look for IEC 62196-2 compliance (the European Type 2 standard) and an IP rating of IP54 or better — ideally IP66 — for weather resistance. Cheap uncertified cables are a fire risk and can damage your car's charging electronics.
Step 5: Think about storage
A carry bag and a cable holder keep your cable clean, untangled and long-lived. Coiled (spiral) cables are tidier; straight cables reach further for the same rated length.
Quick answer
If you want the one-size-fits-all answer: a 22KW, three-phase, 5-meter Type 2 cable, IEC 62196-2 certified with IP66 connectors. That's the cable we'd put in our own trunk.