There are a few different EV charge cables available in Australia, thankfully every new electric car sold in Australia now share the same Type-2 connector, making it much easier when shopping for suitable charging cables.
Not all charging cables are created equal and there are a few things to consider when purchasing a suitable cable for your EV. Cable length and charge speed are the 2 main variables, however, design and quality also play a role here.
In this article, we have rounded up a few popular charging cables and compared them on features, quality and price.
We also discuss some of the things you need to know and look out for when purchasing your charging cable such as when you may need to use it, what length you will need and what charging speed should the cable be capable of.
5 of the best Type-2 EV charging cables in Australia
Type-2 Charging cable reviews
EVSE 5 Metre 22kW 3-Phase Type-2 charging cable
Our Pick
EVSE is one of the most trusted names when it comes to charging cables in the industry. Their 5-metre 3-Phase 22kW cable is one of the most popular on the market and for good reason, it is lightweight, well built and has a 2-year warranty to boot.
This cable is capable of speeds of up to 22Kw or 32A, which is the maximum for AC charging. The 5-metre length is long enough to charge most EVs whether parking nose in or reversing up to the public charger.
Overall for the price this cable is hard to beat, although it does look a little boring, it will certainly meet your public charging needs for your EV.
Get the latest priceEVSE 7 metre 22kW Type-2 charging cable
Upgrade Pick
Similar to their 5-metre version, the difference here is an extra 2 metres of length. Occasionally you may be in a situation where an EV parking space may be occupied by a non-electric vehicle, in these situations 5 metres may not be enough to reach over to the next parking space.
With 7 metres and 22kW of maximum charging speed, this cable by EVSE is one of the best around. It comes with a 2-year warranty for peace of mind.
Get the latest priceEV Power 5 Metre 7.2kW charging cable
Budget Pick
If you are looking for one of the most cost-effective charge cables out there, it is hard to pass EX Power’s 5-metre 7.2kW cable. Keep in mind that this cable has a maximum speed of 7.2 kW which is the maximum for single-phase charging.
If you need a cable for emergency purposes only and want something that is low cost and lightweight, this is the cable to get. At 7.2kW most cars cab expect to add around 40 km of range every hour.
Get the latest priceEVSE 5 Metre curly 7.4kW type-2 charging cable
Our Pick
This curly charging cable from EVSE is something that will definitely grab some attention. With its bright green cable, it will be hard to miss. Packing up charging cables can be a bit tedious at times and if it is something that you are doing on a regular basis then opting for a curly cable will undoubtedly make life a lot easier.
This curly cable has a maximum charge speed of 7.4kW, whilst not as fast as the other 22kW cables in our selection, you will find that the majority of public charging is at 7kW or under for the time being.
Overall the curly cable from EVSE is a great pick for anyone that wants a lightweight and convenient charge cable that has a bit of flair about it.
Get the latest priceEV Power 5 Metre 22kW Type-2 charging cable
Our Pick
Rated at 22kW this Type-2 charging cable from EV Power will allow you to charge your EV at a public charger’s maximum AC speed. It is CE certified and 5 metres in length. This cable is very similar to the 5-metre cable from EVSE.
EV Power provides a 1-year warranty as well as a 30-day return policy for peace of mind
Get the latest priceComparison Table
| EVSE 22kW 5M | EVSE 22KW 7M | EV Power 7.2kW 5M | EVSE curly 5M | EV Power 22kW 5M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max power | 22kW | 22kW | 7.2kW | 7.4kW | 22kW |
| Length | 5 Metres | 7 Metres | 5 Metres | 5 Metres | 5 Metres |
| Cable Colour | Black | Black | Black | Green | Black |
| Warranty | 2-Year | 2-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year | 1-Year |
| Price | $$ | $$$ | $ | $$$ | $$ |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Round-up conclusion
If you want the best all-round cable at a reasonable price, we recommend the 5 metre 22kW cable from EVSE. With a 2 year warranty and 22kW charging speed, it is one of the most popular cables on the market.
If you are looking for the lowest cost cable that will get the job done EV Power’s 5 metre 7.2kW cable is a bargain at under $200.
If you want convenience and style, EVSE’s curly cable is hard to miss, although it costs more than a regular cable, its convenience will make setting up and packing up for charging a breeze.
EV Charging Cable Buying Guide
We have put together this EV charging cable buying guide to help untangle some of the confusion around charging your EV at a public charger and provide some points to consider when selecting and purchasing an EV charging cable that is suitable for your needs.
When do you need an EV charging cable?
Public chargers can be divided into 2 categories, AC and DC chargers. DC chargers are Level-3 fast chargers and always come with cables attached to them. These can charge up to 250kW and above and therefore have all the equipment required to blast at such high speeds.
AC chargers can charge at a maximum of 22kW utilising a 3-Pase power feed. These are generally referred to as destination or Level-2 chargers. They are much smaller than DC chargers and a lot more common. Many councils are installing these on the street and businesses are installing them to attract EV owners to their establishment.
Many AC destination chargers do not come equipped with a cable, they will have the charge socket and will require the EV driver to supply their own cable. The reason for this is 2 fold, it is cheaper to deploy and requires much less maintenance as the main wear and tear item is usually the cable.
For this reason, it is recommended that if you own an EV it is a good idea to have a charging cable in your vehicle at all times, in case you would like to utilise one of these public chargers that are not equipped with its own cable.
What is the best length for an EV charging cable
In most cases, a cable length of 5 metres is more than sufficient. We do not recommend and cable length shorter than this as it may limit your charging options based on charger positioning and vehicle size.
In some circumstances owning a 7-metre cable can be beneficial. One such case may be if an EV charging spot was taken by a non-electric vehicle, you can park next to it and still utilise the charger by use of the longer 7-metre cable.
Are longer EV charging cables better?
Longer EV charging cables are heavier as they need to utilise thicker copper cores as well as being longer which increases their weight.
Another downside to longer cables is that they are more annoying when it comes to packing up your cable as they are longer and heavier.
EV charging connector types
In Australia, EVs are now standardised with the Type-2 Mennekes connector. This makes it much easier when shopping for an EV charging cable as all type-2 cables will work with all new EVs in Australia.
Whether you have a Tesla Model 3, Model X or Model S, Porsche Tycan or MG ZS EV, all new VEs in Australia share the same type-2 connector.
EV charging cable 7kW vs 22kW
There are 2 main speeds (or power levels) of charging cables for electric vehicles, these are single-phase or 3-phase.
Single-phase cables will charge at around 7kW whilst 3-phase will be capable of speeds up to 22kW.
Even if a public charger is capable of 22kW output and you have a 22kW compatible cable, the maximum speed you can charge will be determined by your vehicle. As an example, a Tesla Model 3, along with many other EVs on the market, has a maximum AC charge limit of 11kW. In saying that, opting for a 3-phase charging cable will still net you a charge speed increase of over 50% from a regular 7kW cable.
It is generally recommended to purchase a 22kW cable as many public chargers are now wired for 3-phase and the cost difference between a 7kW and 22kW cable is minimal.
Cable colour, does it matter?
Some EV charging cables are available in bright colours, although they may look cool, that bright colour has a purpose. In a public charging environment, there is always the risk of someone tripping over a cable, having a brightly coloured cable will make it much easier to see and reduce any accidents.
Locking the cable whilst charging
Many of the modern charging cables sold today have little slots on the connector, this is so the charger and vehicle can lock the cable in place and prevent someone from unplugging your car whilst charging or even worse, stealing your cable.
When purchasing your cable make sure it has the slots to allow the automatic locking feature.
Keeping your EV charging cable organised
As EV charging cables are large and heavy, it is a good idea to wind them up and pack them into a cable carry case. We recommend a case like this one
Conclusion
The main variables for a Type-2 charging cable are speed and length. Purchasing a cable that has the maximum possible 22kW AC charging speed will ensure that you can always charge as fast as possible no matter the charger or vehicle.
Purchasing a cable that is at least 5 metres will ensure you have flexibility when you approach a public charger. If you have a larger EV or want to charge when not directly in front of a public EV charger then a 7-metre cable will definitely be your pick.
FAQs
- Do you need an EV charging cable?
If you plan to utilise the network of public (free and paid) destination chargers, you will need to bring your own cable as many of them are BYO cable.
- What length does an EV charging cable need to be?
It is recommended to get a cable that is at least 5 metres in length to ensure flexibility when approaching a public charger.
- What is the difference between a 7.2kW and 22kW EV charging cable?
A 7.2kW charging cable is single-phase compatible whilst a 22kW charging cable is both single and 3-phase compatible. A 22kW charging cable will charge your EV faster if both the charger and EV allow for faster charging.
- How much does an EV charging cable cost in Australia?
Cables range from around $180 to $450 on average, depending on speed and length.
- Where is the best place to store an EV charging cable
The best place to store your EV charging cable is in the vehicle itself. Many people leave them in the boot or the frunk.
