EV Charging cables

Yes, Voldt® EV charging cables are compatible with all standard public and home charging stations in the United Kingdom that support Type 2 connectors. Type 2 (IEC 62196-2) is the official standard for EV charging infrastructure in the UK and across most of Europe, and all Voldt® charging cables are designed to meet this specification. This ensures seamless connectivity whether you’re charging at a public station, a wallbox at home, or a destination charger.

Voldt® offers a wide range of Type 2 charging cables with different amperage and phase options, such as 1-phase 16A, 1-phase 32A, 3-phase 16A, and 3-phase 32A. These variants ensure optimal charging performance depending on your vehicle's onboard charger and the capacity of the charging station. All cables are CE and TÜV certified and manufactured in Europe, ensuring high quality, safety, and full compliance with UK and EU regulations. The cables also feature industry-leading weather resistance, making them reliable for outdoor use in the UK's variable climate.

In addition to standard Type 2 to Type 2 cables, Voldt® also provides mobile charging solutions such as Type 2 to UK 3-pin plug (BS 1363) adapters. These are particularly useful for charging from regular household sockets in the UK. This flexibility ensures that even in locations without a dedicated EV charger, your vehicle can still be charged safely and efficiently. If you're unsure which cable best suits your vehicle or location, Voldt® provides a helpful cable selection tool and expert customer support.

To charge your electric car safely and correctly, follow these steps in the right order: first, make sure your car is parked and switched off.

Then, connect the charging cable to the charging station or wall socket first, and only after that connect it to the vehicle. If you're using a Mode 2 cable (with an in-cable control box for household sockets), make sure the control box is positioned properly before plugging it into the car. The car and charging system will usually communicate automatically, and charging should begin without any extra steps.

To finish charging, always disconnect the cable from the car first, and then unplug it from the charging station or wall socket. This prevents electrical arcing and ensures a safer disconnection. Always monitor the charging status during the session via your car’s display or the charging point’s indicator lights.

Yes, you can use a three-phase EV charging cable in a single-phase charging box, but the charging speed will be limited to the capabilities of the single-phase system. The cable will simply use one of the three phases for power transmission, while the other two remain inactive. This setup is electrically safe and commonly supported by both EVs and charging stations, provided that the connectors and standards (typically Type 2 in Europe) are compatible.

From a technical perspective, a three-phase charging cable—such as a Voldt® 22 kW Type 2 kabel—is built to handle up to 32A per phase across three phases, giving a maximum of 22 kW charging capacity. When connected to a single-phase outlet or wallbox, however, the power is limited to just one phase. This means you’ll get a maximum of 7.4 kW (32A x 230V) if the installation supports it. The cable’s internal wiring and pins will safely carry the single-phase load, as they are designed to support higher loads across more conductors.

It's also important to consider that while the cable itself is compatible, your EV and the onboard charger must also support charging over a single phase. Most European EVs do, but some older or imported models might have limitations. Additionally, the wallbox must be designed to signal correctly over a Type 2 interface and must comply with standard communication protocols (IEC 61851). If all devices in the chain are compliant and properly installed, you can use a three-phase cable in a single-phase environment without any issues.

The difference between the male and female sides of an EV charging cable plug lies primarily in their intended connection points and technical design. The male side of the cable, often referred to as the charging station plug, is the end that connects to the EV charging point or wallbox. This side typically has exposed pins that deliver power and communication signals. The female side, commonly called the vehicle connector, is designed to plug into the electric vehicle's charging port and features recessed contacts to enhance safety.

Both sides conform to international standards like IEC 62196-2 (commonly known as Type 2 in Europe), but their configuration and purpose are not interchangeable. The female vehicle connector includes several safety mechanisms such as proximity detection and locking pins, which ensure a secure and tamper-proof connection with the car. In contrast, the male plug lacks these vehicle-specific features but is optimized to fit the infrastructure side of the charging interface.

This male/female distinction is also critical for regulatory and safety reasons. It prevents users from connecting two cables together to create an unauthorized extension, which could lead to overheating, communication errors, or electrical hazards. By ensuring the cable only connects from the station to the car in one direction, the EV charging system maintains proper current flow, grounding, and handshake protocols, which are essential for safe and efficient charging.

Charging an electric car typically consumes as much electricity as the size of its battery in kilowatt-hours (kWh), with some additional overhead due to energy loss during charging. For example, fully charging an electric vehicle (EV) with a 60 kWh battery generally requires about 60 kWh of electricity. At an average electricity tariff of €0.22 per kWh, this results in a charging cost of approximately €13.20. However, actual electricity consumption may vary depending on a number of technical and environmental factors.

Here are the key factors that influence electricity usage when charging an EV:

• Battery capacity: Most EVs have batteries ranging from 35 kWh (e.g. Renault Zoe) to over 100 kWh (e.g. Tesla Model S Long Range). The larger the battery, the more electricity is needed to charge it fully.
• Charging efficiency: Energy losses of 5–15% can occur during AC or DC charging due to heat and conversion losses, meaning that you may need to draw more energy from the grid than the battery’s rated capacity.
• State of charge and usage pattern: If you usually charge from 20% to 80%, you will consume less energy per session than a full cycle from 0% to 100%. Preconditioning and battery temperature management can also affect consumption.

For a more accurate estimation, consider the following:

• Multiply your battery capacity (in kWh) by 1.05–1.15 to account for charging losses.
• Check your local electricity rate (per kWh) to calculate charging costs.
• Use smart charging solutions or mobile chargers like those from Voldt® to improve efficiency and track consumption precisely. These offer compatibility with household sockets or industrial power outlets and come with integrated safety features to reduce energy waste.

By understanding your vehicle's battery size and charging habits, you can make informed decisions about electricity usage, costs, and optimal charging methods.

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