EV owners: what cables are standard at charging stations?

We're just in the market for a new car and looking to get an EV.

One of the optional extras is a very expensive 6m Mode 3 Type 2 400V 16A 11kW IEC 3P cable "for public charging stations".

I assumed the cables were already there are the charging stations, like the hoses at the petrol bowser?

Should we purchase this cable, or is it unnecessary? We don't have a fast charger at home so, for the time being, we're just planning to charge off the (included) 240V 10A cable at home.

zurohki 2 points 3 years ago

DC fast chargers, like superchargers, have attached cables. They kind of have to, nobody's going to carry around a 300 amp cable. They're heavy and bulky.

AC chargers, which are in the 10 to 32 amp range, sometimes have attached cables. The ones that don't just have a type 2 port, so you need your own type 2 cable.

They're a handy thing to have sometimes. You can always get one later if you need it.

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Fetus 1 point 3 years ago

Most of the charge stations around Adelaide have a type 2 socket, so anyone wanting to use the charger needs to supply their own cable. There are a few around that are a standard 15A outlet, you'd be able to use this type of charger with your standard cable, but it won't be fast charging.

Where are you located? And which vehicle are you looking to buy? You might be able to find a more reasonably priced cable from elsewhere.

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ozzah 1 point 3 years ago

Looking to get 2024 Polestar 2 AWD in Sydney

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ozzah 1 point 3 years ago

Are the ones on Amazon for $300-$400ish Type 2 to Type 2 cables safe and reliable? The one the car manufacturer is trying to sell is $1300, which is 3-4x as exxy.

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zurohki 2 points 3 years ago

You're in Australia? You probably want one of these cables from EVSE for $230. They have a good reputation and fairly low prices.

A three phase 32 amp cable will do 11kw (3x 16 amp) on a three phase station, or 7 kw (1x 32 amp) on a single phase station. A three phase 16A cable can only get you 3.6 kW (1x 16 amp) on a single phase station, which aren't common but you may as well have it.

Related: the EVSE Model 3 page

Edit: the Tesla cable probably has the button on the handle that makes the charging port pop open. For a thousand dollars, I think I'd just open the cover with my hand.

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