The cable that gets the most out of your socket.
The cable that gets the most out of your socket.
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The right cable, or you are stuck at 1.8 kW
The right cable
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The cable with a control box, for charging from a socket.
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10 A on a 3-pin plug (2.3 kW), 16 A on a blue industrial socket (3.7 kW).
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Type 2 connector on the car side, 5 m in most cases.
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Charging from a socket? Be careful: with the wrong cable, you will not go above 1.8 kW. A good 3-pin granny charger delivers 2.3 kW; to reach 3.7 kW, you need a Mode 2 cable with a 16 A plug on a dedicated 16 A socket. Here is how to recognise one and where to buy it.
The cable that unlocks the power of your socket
A dedicated 16 A socket (the blue industrial "commando" type) can deliver 3.7 kW, but only with a Mode 2 cable that has a 16 A plug and a control box set to 16 A. On a UK 3-pin plug, the cable is limited to 10 A (2.3 kW) to protect a 13 A socket, and some cables supplied with the car default to 8 A, around 1.8 kW. Before you even have a socket fitted, make sure you have the right cable.
Mode 2 or Mode 3: which one should you buy?
Two cables, two uses. Mode 3 (Type 2 to Type 2, no box) is for charging on a wallbox or a public charger: it very often comes with the car, so there is no need to buy another. Mode 2 (with a control box) is for charging from a socket: this is the one to check, and often to buy, to get 2.3 kW from a 3-pin plug or 3.7 kW from a 16 A socket.
Mode 2 (check or buy) | Mode 3 (often supplied) | |
|---|---|---|
Plugs into | A socket (3-pin or 16 A industrial) | A wallbox or public charger |
Control box | Yes, built into the cable | No, handled by the charger |
Supplied with the car? | Sometimes, often limited to 8 or 10 A | Very often |
Role on a socket | 2.3 kW on 3-pin, 3.7 kW with a 16 A plug | Not relevant |
How to recognise the right Mode 2 cable
- It is a Mode 2 cable, with a built-in control box.
- Its plug matches your socket: 3-pin for 2.3 kW (10 A), blue 16 A industrial plug or interchangeable heads for 3.7 kW (16 A).
- Type 2 connector on the car side (the standard on almost all EVs sold in the UK).
- UKCA or CE marked, with a temperature sensor in the plug and a good ingress protection (IP) rating.
Length and price
Five metres is enough in most cases; only go longer if the socket is far from the car. Expect roughly £150 to £350 for a good Mode 2 cable. Never extend a charging cable with an ordinary extension lead. Browse charging cables.
Socket charging + company car: the right combination
Charging a company car from a socket? Get the right cable for full power, then let Voltaback handle the reimbursement. The idea is simple: as soon as you can charge at home, whatever your setup, Voltaback measures the charging and has it reimbursed, either at real cost on your own tariff (Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus, Agile, Economy 7…) or at the HMRC Advisory Electricity Rate per mile. For a company car, your employer can reimburse all of it with no tax or NIC. 100 % software, no hardware, a record per vehicle, accurate to the penny. See how it works for drivers or across a company fleet.
FAQ
Your questions about charging cables
Because your Mode 2 cable is set to 8 A, a common default on cables supplied with the car. Some let you select 10 A on the control box (2.3 kW on a 3-pin plug); for 3.7 kW, you need a 16 A cable on a dedicated 16 A socket.
Mode 2 (with a box) for charging from a socket: this is the one to check and often to buy. Mode 3 (for wallboxes and public chargers) usually already comes with the car.
It must be rated "16 A / 3.7 kW" and have a 16 A industrial plug (or interchangeable heads), not just a 3-pin plug. It is a Mode 2 cable with a control box and a Type 2 connector on the car side.
Very often, yes. The Mode 3 cable (Type 2 to Type 2, for wallboxes and public chargers) usually comes with the vehicle or as an option. The Mode 2 granny charger is supplied less often, or in a version limited to 8 or 10 A.
Five metres is enough in most cases. Expect roughly £150 to £350 for a good Mode 2 cable.
Type 2 is the European standard, fitted to almost all EVs sold in the UK. Type 1 is found on some older models, such as early Nissan Leafs. In the UK, choose Type 2 unless your car is one of those.
No. An ordinary extension lead or reel is not suitable and creates a risk of overheating. Buy a cable of the right length straight away.