Tips for Choosing the Right EV Charging Cables

Selecting the right EV charging cables to match your time restraints and your automobile's requirements is critical. In this article, we’ll review the different types of charging cables and help you select the cables that meet your needs.

EV Charging

There are four categories of EVs.

1. Electric vehicle (BEV) motors. If the batteries run out of charge, the automobile stops operating.
2. Batteries and combustion engines power hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). They do not require battery recharging via an EV charging cable.
3. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HPEV) combine HEV and BEV technologies. The combustion engine engages when the battery charge is exhausted. 
4. Fuel cell electric motors (FCEV) use liquid hydrogen to create power instead of gas, diesel, or batteries. The fuel tank is filled with hydrogen at a gas station.

Does My EV Require Charging Cables

Both BEVs and HPEVs require charging cables. When the automobile runs low on power, the batteries must be recharged. The EV batteries are recharged by connecting an EV charging cable to the automobile.

You can recharge your BEV or HPEV batteries at home or dedicated charging stations.

HEV and FCEV automobiles do not require charging cables.

Types of EV Charging Cables

An EV charging cable delivers power from the power source, such as a wall outlet (120V) or a personal charging station (240V), to your EV batteries. The type of EV charging cable and the plug configuration are vital considerations.

Cable Types

The type of electric vehicle cable you select will affect how quickly the automobile's batteries recharge. There are four types of EV cables.

Mode 1

Used to recharge scooters and e-bikes, but not EVs.

Mode 2

Connect your EV to a standard 120V 3-pin electrical socket. A Mode 2 EV charging cable provides an In-Cable Control and Protection Device (IC-CPD). The IC-CPD controls the charging between the EV and the electrical source. Based on real-time feedback from the EV battery, the IC-CPD automatically adjusts the electrical charge flowing from the source (your house) to the EV.

Mode 3

A dedicated EV charging station uses a Mode 3 charging cable. An electrician installs the EV charging station near where the EV will be parked. 

The dedicated charging station and charging cable operate at 240V. 

Mode 4

Dedicated charging stations found in public (not your garage) use Mode 4 charging cables. 

Selecting the Correct Charging Cable

It is important to select the correct charging cable. The speed of Mode 4 charging cable for EV is enticing, but it isn't fiscally practical for most home consumers.

Mode 2

If you plan to drive your EV a few miles daily but not more than a few miles daily, Mode 2 EV charging cables are an ideal path. While the charging time is slow, you haven't driven too many miles, so the Mode 2 charging rate isn't a primary concern. If there is any chance you'll completely deplete and recharge the EV battery at home, we recommend a Mode 3 charging cable.

Mode 3

Faster recharging rates make the Mode 3 charging cables a preferred option. You'll need to pay for a charging station and an electrician to install the hardware. Many states and local municipalities have aggressive rebates to offset consumer costs. The IRS also provides tax credits of up to $1,000.

Pro-Tips

Here are our recommendations to help you stay connected.

Hang onto the Mode 2 Charging Cables

The Mode 2 charging cable provides the slowest charging level but is ideal for emergencies when the EV batteries need just enough recharge to transport you to the nearest charging station. Keep the Mode 2 EV charging cables in your trunk. A Mode 2 Charging cable is the slowest method to charge EV batteries.

Bigger Is Better

Larger cables can carry more electrical current than smaller electric vehicle cable. The greater the electrical current, the faster the EV batteries recharge. A Mode 3 charging cable is ideal. Local, state, and federal rebates are available to decrease the initial investment cost.

Length

A longer EV charging cable will take up more room, but it also provides flexibility for automobile positioning. While you may only own a single EV today, you may own two in a few years.  

A longer cable will allow you to reach both automobiles without hiring an electrician to return to your house and reconfigure your charging station cables.  

We recommend an EV charging cable length of 20 to 25 feet. 

Quality

Electric car charging cable is critical in protecting your EV battery and home. Poor-quality EVSE charging cable may cause electrical issues such as intermittent charging, overcharging, or slow charging. Before you purchase, verify that the EV charging cable manufacturing company provides both a warranty and product support.

Environmentally Friendly

EVs are more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engines. When it’s time to upgrade electric car charging cable, the manufacturing material from the existing EV cable can be separated and recycled. 

How Long Does it Take to Charge?

Charging time varies depending on the size of the EV batteries and the equipment used to recharge them.

Level 1

A level 1 charger (120V residential) with a Mode-2 EV charging cable will take approximately 80 hours to charge a BEV to 80%.

Level 2

A level 2 charger (240V residential) with a Mode-3 EV charging cable will take roughly four to ten hours to charge a BEV to 80%.

DCFC

Direct Current Fast Chargers (charging stations, not residential) will charge the EV batteries to 80% in roughly 20 minutes.

No Cables

Hybrid (HEV) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FCEV) automobiles do not require charging cables. However, the HEV requires gasoline refueling, and the FCEV requires hydrogen gas refills.

Wrapping Up

Selecting the right EV charging cables is critical to the long-term ease of recharging your EV. If you're only driving a few miles daily, a Mode-2 charging cable is a good choice for residential charging. If you drive more than a few miles daily, a Mode-3 charging cable will deliver a fast recharge.