Buying Guides
Do I Need a 22kW EV Charging Cable? An Honest Answer
On this page
For the vast majority of drivers, no. A 22kW cable is thicker, heavier and pricier, and it only charges faster when two things are both true: your car has a three-phase onboard AC charger, and you plug into a 22kW AC supply. Most UK homes are single phase and top out at 7.4kW, so a 22kW cable there charges at exactly the same speed as a 7.4kW one. Not sure what your car takes? Enter your reg or browse cables by car.
At a glance: should you buy a 22kW cable?
| Your setup | Best cable | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single-phase home, single-phase car | 7.4kW | 22kW gives no speed benefit |
| Three-phase car, home charging only | 7.4kW | Home supply caps you at 7.4kW anyway |
| Three-phase car, regular 22kW AC points | 22kW | You can actually use the extra power |
| Might switch to a three-phase car soon | Optional 22kW | A modest future-proofing hedge |
What a 22kW cable does and does not do
A 22kW cable can carry up to 22kW, but only if your car and supply both allow it. Plug it into a single-phase home or a car that caps AC at 7.4kW and it behaves identically to a 7.4kW cable. It never speeds up a single-phase setup. The rating is a ceiling, not a boost, so the power you actually get is set by the weakest link between the supply, the cable and your car.
Why most UK homes cap out at 7.4kW
Homes in the UK are almost always fed by a single-phase supply, which limits AC charging to 7.4kW no matter what cable or wallbox you fit. Three-phase supplies exist but are uncommon in domestic properties and expensive to install. Unless you know your home has three phase, plan around 7.4kW, because that is the fastest your driveway can deliver.
When a 22kW cable is genuinely worth it
There is a real case for 22kW if your car has a three-phase onboard charger and you regularly use 22kW AC public charge points, for example on longer trips or at destination chargers. In that situation the extra power is usable and the cable earns its cost. A three-phase home supply makes the case too, but that applies to very few drivers.
The future-proofing question
If you might change to a three-phase car, a 22kW cable is a reasonable hedge, since it also handles 7.4kW and 11kW today. But be realistic: many cars still cap AC charging at 7.4 or 11kW, so the upgrade is not guaranteed to pay off. Buy it because you can see yourself using the power, not just in case.
What to buy instead for most drivers
For most people the right answer is a quality 5m 7.4kW Type 2 cable, which covers home wallboxes and untethered public points at the fastest speed your supply allows. See the options at Type 2 charging cables. For occasional top-ups where no wallbox exists, add a portable charger for the boot.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 22kW cable charge faster than 7.4kW?
Only if your car has a three-phase onboard charger and you plug into a 22kW AC supply. On a standard single-phase home, or with a car that caps AC at 7.4kW, a 22kW cable delivers exactly the same speed as a 7.4kW one.
Is my home single or three phase?
Almost certainly single phase. Three-phase domestic supplies are rare in the UK and usually only found in larger or newer properties. Check your consumer unit or ask an electrician, but assume single phase and 7.4kW unless you know otherwise.
Which cars support 22kW AC charging?
A minority. Some Renault Zoe, Tesla, MG, Smart, BMW and Audi models support three-phase 11kW or 22kW AC. Many mainstream EVs cap AC charging at 7.4kW or 11kW, so always check your specific car before buying a 22kW cable.
Will a 22kW cable future-proof me?
Partly. It only pays off if a future car supports three-phase AC and you use 22kW points, and many cars still cap AC at 7.4 or 11kW. It is a modest hedge rather than a guarantee, so buy it on honest need, not fear of missing out.
Is a 22kW cable heavier?
Yes. Carrying three-phase 32A power needs thicker conductors, so a 22kW cable is noticeably heavier and stiffer to coil than a 7.4kW cable, as well as costing more. That extra bulk is wasted if your car cannot use the power.
Do public rapid chargers need a 22kW cable?
No. Rapid DC chargers have their own attached cable and do not use your lead at all. Your own cable only matters at AC wallboxes and untethered AC points, where 7.4kW covers most drivers.
Bottom line: buy 7.4kW unless you have a three-phase car and use 22kW points. For the underlying detail read 7.4kW vs 22kW, or start from which EV charging cable do I need.
Written by
Graham DoddCo-founder · drives a Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Graham drives a Volkswagen ID. Buzz and is happiest with it loaded up for a weekend away. Road trips, campsites and public AC points are his testing ground, so he knows first-hand why a cable needs to be the right length and easy to coil back into the boot.
More from GrahamKeep reading
More
charging guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car.
View all guides
Buying Guides
Public vs Home EV Charging: Cost and Convenience
Home charging is cheaper and more convenient for daily driving, while public charging is best kept for longer trips. Home off-peak: around 7 to 10p/kWh vs public rapid around 45 to 80p/kWh Home adds roughly 25 to 30 miles per hour; rapid DC is minutes not hours Rapid chargers are tethered; keep your own Type 2 lead for AC points
Buying Guides
Best TPMS Sensors for Electric Cars: Monitor Pressure When Parked
Tyre pressure is one of the biggest easy wins for EV range. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and reduce range by 1–3% per missing PSI. External TPMS sensors show real-time pressure on a dashboard display, including when the car is cold and parked — better than the built-in TPMS warning, which only alerts you when pressure is already critically low. Built-in TPMS warns at 25% below recommended pressure — too late for optimal range External sensors monitor continuously and alert at any deviation from your target Fits any valve stem in minutes, no coding required
How-to
Do Electric Cars Come with a Spare Tyre? (And What to Carry Instead)
Most electric cars are sold without a spare tyre. The space under the boot floor (where the spare would sit on a petrol car) is often used for the traction battery or additional storage, and the weight of a spare is avoided to improve range. Carry a tyre repair kit and inflator instead — they handle 80% of road punctures. Check your car: look in the boot floor well and the handbook — some EVs do include a space-saver spare A foam sealant kit (Holts Tyreweld) handles slow punctures and most nail/screw punctures A full repair kit (sealant + inflator) is the right kit for UK driving; some also work on the motorway
How-to
Charging Your EV in France: Everything You Need to Know
Charging in France works well on the motorway (IONITY and TotalEnergies are widespread) but requires planning for overnight stops. A portable EVSE with a Schuko plug charges from any French domestic socket. For campsites, you need a Type 2 to CEE 16A adapter. Bring the standard European driving kit — it is a legal requirement. Motorway rapid charging (IONITY, TotalEnergies, Allego): same Type 2 cable as the UK Overnight at a gite or Airbnb: portable EVSE with Schuko plug, charges at 1.8–3.5kW Campsite hookup: Type 2 to CEE 16A adapter, charges at 3.6kW from a blue caravan socket