What Comes in the Box With a New EV?

Most new EVs include a basic charging cable, but "basic" is the key word: what comes in the box varies considerably by manufacturer, and for many drivers the included cable is not sufficient for their main home charging setup. Understanding what you will and will not receive with the car helps you plan what to buy before collection day rather than discovering gaps at home. As a general rule, you should expect a portable emergency cable and possibly a Mode 3 cable, but rarely a full wallbox setup. Our full range of EV charging cables covers the options if you need to add to what the manufacturer provides.

What is the Mode 2 cable that most EVs include?

The cable most commonly included with a new EV is a Mode 2 portable charger, also called a granny charger. It has a Type 2 connector at the car end and a standard UK 3-pin plug at the other end, with a safety control box (ICCB) built into the cable that provides overcurrent and earth fault protection. It allows you to charge the car from any standard domestic socket. The charge rate is slow compared to a wallbox because a standard 13A socket is the limiting factor, but it works in a pinch and is particularly useful when staying somewhere without a dedicated EV charger. It is not intended as your primary home charging solution.

Do manufacturers include a Type 2 cable for wallbox charging?

Some do, some do not. Several manufacturers now include a Mode 3 Type 2 to Type 2 cable for use with a dedicated wallbox charger, but this is not universal. Some include it as standard, others offer it as a paid accessory, and others leave the buyer to source a cable independently. Before collection, check your order confirmation and the manufacturer's accessory list. If the car does not come with a Mode 3 cable and your wallbox is socketed rather than tethered, you will need to buy one separately. A tethered wallbox has the cable permanently attached, which removes this concern, but limits flexibility if you later switch to a socketed charger.

What about rapid charging cables: do you need to bring your own?

No. Public rapid and ultra-rapid DC chargers (which use CCS2 or CHAdeMO connectors) always have tethered cables attached to the unit. You do not need to bring a cable for rapid charging. The only cables you need to carry yourself are those for AC charging from a wallbox or public destination charger with a Type 2 socket. Checking which connector your car uses for both AC and DC charging before collection is useful, particularly if you are buying a car that still uses CHAdeMO rather than CCS2, as the rapid charging network availability differs between the two.

What else is in the box, and what is genuinely useful?

• Charge port cover: A rubber or plastic cap for the charge port when not in use. Keeps moisture and debris out. Simple but genuinely worth keeping.
• Vehicle handbook: Often now a digital document accessible via the car's screen or the manufacturer's app, but sometimes a physical booklet. Includes the charging instructions specific to your model, which is worth reading before you plug in for the first time.
• Manufacturer's app: Access credentials for the companion app, which typically lets you monitor charging, set schedules, pre-condition the cabin, and track energy use. This is worth setting up immediately.
• Welcome pack: Some manufacturers include trial memberships to public charging networks or introductory offers, though these are variable and not universal.

What should you sort out before or shortly after collection?

If you plan to charge at home from a wallbox, arrange the wallbox installation before you collect the car if possible. A qualified electrician or approved wallbox installer can usually complete the job in a few hours, but waiting lists exist, and a long gap between collecting the car and having a wallbox fitted means relying entirely on the included granny charger. If your wallbox is socketed, add a Type 2 cable to your order. Also sign up to one or more public charging networks in advance: having the apps installed and payment methods linked before you need a rapid charge on a journey saves you from scrambling at the kerb.

What accessories are worth buying alongside your new EV?

• A dedicated Type 2 cable: Essential if your wallbox is socketed. A longer cable (8 or 10 metres) gives flexibility if the wallbox is not right next to where you park.
• A cable bag or organiser: Keeps cables clean and makes them easier to coil and carry.
• A portable charger for travel: Even if you use a wallbox at home, a good portable granny charger is useful when travelling or visiting people without a wallbox.
• A tyre inflation kit: Many EVs do not include a spare tyre, instead relying on a foam tyre sealant kit. Check whether your car has one in the boot or whether you need to buy one separately.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the included granny charger as my main home charging method?

You can, but for most drivers it is not ideal as the primary method. Charging from a standard 13A socket is slow, and while it works for modest daily mileage, it will not keep up with higher-mileage usage or larger battery packs. It is better treated as a backup for when you are away from home rather than as your everyday charging solution. A wallbox charges significantly faster and is generally the recommended home setup.

Does the included cable work with public charge points?

The Mode 2 granny cable plugs into a standard domestic socket, not a public charger. Public AC chargers typically have a Type 2 socket (no cable tethered), so you need a Mode 3 Type 2 cable to use them, not the granny charger. Public rapid DC chargers have their own tethered cables, so no cable is needed from you at all. Check which type of public charger you are planning to use and bring the appropriate cable.

My car came with a Type 2 cable. Do I need a longer one?

Possibly. Manufacturer-supplied Type 2 cables are often on the shorter side, which works if the wallbox socket is close to where the car's charge port sits when parked. If there is any distance between the two, a longer cable reduces the stress on the connectors and makes plugging in easier. Cables are available in a range of lengths, typically from around 5 to 10 metres, so it is worth measuring before buying.

What if my new EV did not come with any cable at all?

A small number of manufacturers and some online-only EV brands sell the car without any charging cable included, treating it as a separately purchased accessory. If this applies to your car, you will need both a Mode 2 portable charger for emergency use and a Mode 3 Type 2 cable for your wallbox. Use the EV cable finder on our home page to confirm which connector type and cable specifications your car requires.

Will the included cable work in other countries?

The Mode 3 Type 2 cable standard is used across most of Europe, so the cable itself will physically fit European Type 2 sockets. However, the Mode 2 granny charger's 3-pin plug is UK-specific and will not fit European sockets directly. You would need a travel adapter or a separate cable with the appropriate plug for the country you are visiting.

Should I register my included cable with the manufacturer?

Most manufacturers do not require separate registration of the included cable, as it is covered under the vehicle warranty. Keep the purchase invoice or handover documentation in case you ever need to make a warranty claim. If the cable is a separately boxed accessory rather than an integral part of the vehicle, check whether it has its own warranty period.

Once you know exactly what your car came with, it is easy to fill any gaps. Our EV charging cables cover Type 1, Type 2, and three-phase options, and our EV accessories include storage bags and other practical add-ons to complete your setup from day one.