Guides | PlentyTorque UK

If you've just gone electric, the world of charging connectors, cable lengths and adapters can feel needlessly confusing. The good news is that home charging in the UK is genuinely simple once you understand a handful of terms. This guide cuts through the jargon so you buy the right cable and accessories first time.

Type 2 is the UK standard

Almost every EV and home charger sold in the UK uses the Type 2 connector (the seven-pin plug) for AC charging. If your car was bought in the UK or Europe in the last several years, it has a Type 2 inlet. Older Leafs and a few early imports used Type 1, in which case you'll need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable to use Type 2 chargepoints — worth checking before you buy.

Rapid DC chargers at motorway services use a different connector, CCS (Type 2 with two extra pins below). You don't supply a cable for those — they're tethered to the charger. The cable you buy is for slower AC charging at home and at public destination points like supermarkets.

Tethered vs untethered home chargers

When choosing a home wallbox, you'll pick between two styles:

• Tethered — the cable is permanently attached to the unit. You just grab the plug and connect. Convenient day to day, but the cable length is fixed and the connector type is set for life.
• Untethered (socketed) — the wallbox has a Type 2 socket, and you plug in your own portable cable each time. Tidier when not in use, futureproof if you change cars, and you can pick your own cable length. The downside is the small faff of plugging in at both ends.

Most home installs are done by an approved installer, but the portable cable and any adapters are accessories you buy yourself.

Cable length, current rating and the "granny charger"

• Length — a 5-metre cable suits most driveways; 7–10 metres helps if the charging flap is on the far side or the chargepoint isn't ideally placed. Don't go shorter than you need.
• Current rating — single-phase home charging is typically 32A (around 7kW), which is the most common. Some homes have only 16A available. A cable rated for 32A works fine on lower currents too, so buying the higher-rated cable is the safe choice.
• Granny charger — the three-pin emergency cable that plugs into a normal domestic socket. It's slow (around 2.3kW, roughly 8–10 miles of range per hour) and meant for occasional use, not daily charging. Handy to keep in the boot for emergencies or a friend's house.

Useful accessories

• Cable bag or holster — keeps a portable cable clean and stops it tangling in the boot
• Wall holster for the connector — tidies a tethered charger's plug between uses
• Type 1 to Type 2 adapter cable — only if your car has an older Type 1 inlet
• Locking solutions — some owners add a lock to deter cable theft at public posts

Browse our EV charging accessories for Type 2 cables, granny chargers, holsters and storage. Tesla drivers will also find model-specific holders, organisers and cabin extras in our Tesla accessories range.

A quick safety word

• Never run a granny charger through a domestic extension lead or a cheap reel — use it directly in a suitable socket.
• Inspect cables for damage and keep connectors dry and free of grit.
• If a charger trips your RCD repeatedly, stop and have it checked rather than resetting and carrying on.

Buying checklist

• Confirm your car's inlet — almost certainly Type 2, occasionally Type 1 on older models
• Choose a cable length that comfortably reaches your charging flap
• Buy a 32A-rated cable for headroom
• Keep a granny charger as a backup, not your everyday solution

Need a discontinued connector, a specific adapter or a replacement cable for an older EV? Send us the part number or model details through our request-a-part service and we'll do our best to source it. Get the cable right and home charging becomes the easiest part of EV ownership.

Frequently asked questions

What charging cable do I need for a UK EV?

Almost all UK EVs use the Type 2 connector for AC charging, so a Type 2 cable is what you need for home and public destination chargers. Some older models use Type 1 and require a Type 1 to Type 2 cable.

What's the difference between tethered and untethered chargers?

Tethered chargers have a fixed, attached cable for plug-and-go convenience. Untethered (socketed) units let you use your own portable cable, which is tidier and futureproof if you change cars.

Is the three-pin granny charger safe for daily use?

It's designed for occasional or emergency use, not daily charging. It's slow (around 2.3kW) and should be plugged directly into a suitable socket, never through an extension lead or cheap reel.