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Now, on the market, some new EV Charging stations don’t have a tethered cable like traditional EV charging stations but instead, depend on the EV driver bringing their own EV cable specific to their type of EV. So you might now be asking which EV Charging cable solutions do you need for your EV? This depends solely on the EV you drive, and one quick look at the charging port will tell you what EV cable you require. Before that, let’s dive into the world of cables overview to give further assistance on choosing better.
An electric car charging cable is made up of three parts: a connector, which plugs into your car, a length of wire and another plug that connects into a power source. There are 4 types of EV charging cable.
Mode 1 is like plugging into a regular wall socket (220V, max 10A) without any fancy controls or safety checks. It’s not really cut out for charging electric cars, but it’s perfect for juicing up smaller rides like e-bikes and scooters.
You’re using Mode 2 for charging, which is like using a regular household plug that’s properly grounded. When you buy an electric vehicle (EV), they give you a special charging cable, called a Mode 2 EV charging cable, for this. This cable hooks up a normal-looking socket to your high-tech car using an extension cord and standard plug. On one end, it’s got a plug for the EV, and on the other end, a standard plug you’d find at home. The cable’s got this box thing – that’s the ICCB (In-Cable Control Box) or IC-CPD (In-Cable Control and Protecting Device). It’s pretty smart because it limits the current and has safety features built in. And also is cool because it can chat with your EV, just like a charging station would. Now, with a regular home socket, the most juice you can get into your car is 2.3 kW.
To charge your electric vehicle (EV) at home with a Mode 3 cable, you’ll need a connection that’s set up for it. You can choose between single-phase and three-phase charging. If you’re going for the faster three-phase option, you might need to upgrade your home’s electrical system to handle it.
Your house’s power is in Alternating Current (AC), which your EV can convert into Direct Current (DC) to store in its batteries. That’s why Mode 3 charging is considered AC charging. A Mode 3 EV charging station, compliant with global standards such as UL, CE, VDE, and GB/T, can deliver a lot more juice: starting at 3.6 kilowatts (230 volts/16 amps) with a single-phase all the way up to 22 kilowatts (400 volts/32 amps) with a three-phase setup.
Mode 4 EV charging cables supply dc power directly, also known as DC or DCFC, which stands for Direct-current Fast Charging. The goal of fast charging is to quickly power up an electric vehicle (EV) to 80% capacity, with the remaining 20% filling up at a slower rate. While you can charge to full capacity, it’s generally more considerate to cap the charge at 80% to prevent long waits at charging stations.
True to its name, a fast charger enables you to power your EV rapidly. This charger or charge point connects straight to the vehicle’s battery. These stations boast a charging power of at least 50 kW, going up to 150 or even 350 kW.
When deliberating over tethered versus untethered charging stations, the decision pivots on utility and convenience informed by user needs and the prevalent EV infrastructure. For example, tethered units, akin to the ready-to-use type 2 connectors, offer the ease of ‘plug and play’ with a fixed cable, eliminating the hassle of carrying a personal charging cable. This built-in convenience, however, comes with limitations; tethered systems can restrict usage to compatible vehicles only. On the contrary, untethered stations cater to a broader spectrum, supporting various cable types—type 1, CHAdeMO, CCS, and type 2—thus offering versatility for cable applications. They allow users to employ custom cables tailored to their vehicle’s requirements or preferences, promoting inclusivity across differing EV models.
Data from a recent market analysis suggests that tethered stations are preferred in private home settings, with over 70% of users opting for them for their ease of use. Conversely, in public or commercial environments, untethered stations see higher utilization due to their adaptable nature, accounting for approximately 60% of the installations. This bifurcation underscores the significance of selecting a charging station that not only aligns with the specific needs of the market sector but also addresses the user’s demand for convenience and flexibility.
When you’re looking to power up your electric car, whether it’s while you’re at home, on the job, or stopping by a charging point around town, one detail is key: the charging station’s plug must be compatible with your vehicle’s socket. In other words, the cable that links the station to your car needs to have the proper connector on each end to fit snugly. Pretty straightforward, right? There are six kinds of connectors out there, with two designed for alternating current (AC) including 1-phase AC, another pair for direct current (DC) which are the go-to for rapid charging all the way up to 350 kW, and the last two can handle both AC and DC.
Type 1 plugs are the go-to for electric vehicles in America and Asia. They’re single-phase, meaning they work with the one-phase electrical systems commonly found in homes. These plugs let you juice up your car with up to 7.4 kW of power, but that depends on how much power your car can handle and what your local grid supports.
Type 2 plugs have a bit more oomph, thanks to three extra wires that carry more current, which is why they can power up your ride quicker. When you’re charging at home, you can expect to pump up to 22 kW of power into your car with one of these. Hit up a public charging station, and you might see numbers up to 43 kW—again, that’s if your car and the grid are up for it.
In March 2013, the Japan Electric Vehicle Association alongside the Japan Electric Vehicle Charging Association rolled out the CHAdeMO protocol. The initial CHAdeMo design delivered a max of 62.5 kW power, using a 500V and 125A DC setup. The protocol’s second edition stepped it up to handle up to 400 kW charging speeds. Even more impressive, the ChaoJi venture – a team-up between CHAdeMo and China – boasts the ability to charge at a whopping 500 kW. There’s a huge number of electric vehicles that work with the CHAdeMO charging standard. Take, for example, the Nissan Leaf, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and the Citroen C-ZERO – they’re all compatible.
The Supercharger network refers to the global array of Superchargers, all owned and managed directly by Tesla. This is unlike other charging networks, which are typically run by various third parties. This network is quite expansive, boasting over 2,500 sites worldwide, with around 1,000 in North America alone.
Supercharger stations come in three varieties: V1, V2, and V3. The V3 Superchargers are the newest and most sophisticated, delivering charging speeds of up to 250 kW. The older V2 and V1 Superchargers, on the other hand, offer slower charging capabilities at 150 kW.
CCS charging is a type of fast charging for electric vehicles, much like CHAdeMO charging. It’s designed to power up your car quicker than standard chargers.
Widely used by Europeans and North Americans, CCS charging is known for its rapid charge capabilities. It’s also able to support more power than other rapid chargers, accommodating even the largest, ultra-fast charging stations.
The CCS connector is essentially an enhanced version of the Type 2 plug, which is the standard for EV charging. What sets CCS apart from CHAdeMO is its universality—it can handle both AC and DC charging through one port. CHAdeMO, on the other hand, needs an additional connector for this flexibility. Without an adapter, CHAdeMO can’t connect to Type 1 or Type 2 charging ports.
The GB/T Plug EV standard is crafted specifically for electric vehicles in China, and it shares a visual resemblance with the Mennekes plug (Type 2) from Europe. Yet, it’s distinct when it comes to its technical aspects. To juice up your ride at stations designed for Type 1, Type 2, or CHAdeMO connectors, you’ll need an additional adapter. The GB/T plug splits into two models: one for AC charging, known as 20234.2, and the other for DC charging, tagged as 20234.3. This standard sticks to China and isn’t compatible with the charging infrastructures of other nations. But, the good news is that some electric car manufacturers have rolled out adapters that bridge the gap, allowing the GB/T Plug EV to fit into the diverse charging landscapes across Europe, North America, and beyond.
AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current) charging serve distinct roles in the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. AC charging, typically conducted at home or work, utilizes a vehicle’s onboard converter to transform AC from the power grid to the DC needed for battery storage. This process is generally slower, with charging rates around 2-7 kW, making it ideal for overnight use. Conversely, DC charging stations convert power before it reaches the vehicle, offering much faster charging times. These stations can deliver at a rate of 50 kW to maximum power over 350 kW, significantly reducing charging times to under an hour for a substantial charge.
Cost-wise, AC chargers are more affordable and less complex in design, but they offer slower charging speeds. DC chargers, while pricier, provide the convenience of rapid charging, making them suitable for commercial use where time is a premium. The trade-off with DC charging is the potential for greater battery wear over time due to the heat generated by rapid charging cycles.
| Aspect | AC Charging | DC Charging |
| Conversion Site | In-vehicle converter | Charging station |
| Charging Rate | 2-7 kW | 50-350+ kW |
| Time for Charge | Several hours to overnight | Less than an hour for substantial charge |
| Cost | Lower upfront cost, less complex design | Higher upfront cost, complex infrastructure |
| Battery Wear | Minimal due to slower charging | Potentially higher due to rapid charging |
Consider EV charging cables as the essential lifeline for your electric car—important but with a risk factor. Stick to recognized standards like UL 2251 or IEC 62752 to be sure your cable can endure up to 10,000 charging cycles and has necessary certifications. A durable cable should tolerate 5,000 bends and a temperature range from -30°C to 50°C. For your safety, always handle the cables with gloves that can withstand 1,000 volts and check the cable every six months for any signs of abrasion. Keep in mind, playing it safe is not just about following rules; it’s about being careful and knowing the nuts and bolts of the energy your car uses.
Here at Beny, we understand that finding the right EV charger isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. We craft our EV charging stations with the same attention to detail that a tailor would use to ensure a perfect fit for your car’s charging port. Take our Type 2 connectors, for example. They’re a dream for our European buddies, delivering up to 22kW of power that’s spot on for home charging or topping up while you’re out and about. For those zipping around Japan, our CHAdeMO plugs are a game-changer, pumping out quick charges when every minute counts. Across the pond in North America, our SAE J1772 plugs are king, working with nearly any car and ideal for an overnight juice-up or a speedy pit stop charge. And if you want to nail the perfect fit for your ride, our EV charger plugs customization has got you covered.
With Beny’s tailor-made plug options, you can kiss goodbye to the frustration of incompatible connectors. Just plug in, and rest assured your car will juice up smoothly, no sweat. And when it comes to safety? That’s where we really shine. Our cables are tough as nails, built to the highest quality standards, and they’re packed with safety features that guard against overcharging, overheating, and power spikes. That’s why drivers trust Beny to keep their EVs charged and ready to roll.
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