Vauxhall Ampera
Charging cable
Full AC charging speed for your car.
Why this fits your Ampera+−
The Vauxhall Ampera has a Type 1 inlet and a single-phase 3.3kW onboard charger. A 7.4kW cable already delivers its full AC speed. The 22kW option only helps if your next car charges faster.
Which Vauxhall Ampera versions does it fit?+
This cable fits every Vauxhall Ampera, because they all share the same Type 1 charging inlet. That includes:
- Vauxhall Ampera E
- Vauxhall Ampera Earth
- Vauxhall Ampera Positiv
- Vauxhall Ampera Electron
Whichever Ampera trim you drive, it is the same cable, so you can order with confidence.
Specifications+−
Delivery & returns+−
Free tracked UK delivery on every order. Built to order in the UK and dispatched fast. 30-day no-fuss returns.
Note: Range-extender (EREV); Type 1 inlet; no DC charging
How long does it take?
Charging
the Vauxhall Ampera.
The Vauxhall Ampera is a first-generation extended-range electric hatchback (EREV), sold in the UK from 2012 to 2015. It shares its engineering with the Chevrolet Volt and uses a petrol range extender to generate electricity once the 16.5kWh battery is depleted, giving it a much longer total range than a pure electric car of that era. Crucially, the Ampera uses a Type 1 (J1772) inlet rather than the Type 2 connector found on almost all modern EVs, so you need a Type 2 to Type 1 cable for wallboxes and public charge points.
The Ampera's onboard AC charger is limited to 3.3kW on a single phase, and there is no DC rapid charging at all. It is a relatively rare second-hand buy today, but one that rewards regular overnight charging because the small battery keeps running costs down when driven mostly on electric power. Make sure you have the right Type 2 to Type 1 cable before you plug in.
Estimates based on battery size and charge power. Rapid (DC) times are for a 10 to 80% charge, the way manufacturers quote them. Real-world charging varies with temperature, battery state and the charger itself.
7.4 kW or 22 kW?
Which cable does
the Ampera need?
The Ampera is one of the few cars sold in the UK that uses a Type 1 inlet, so you need a Type 2 to Type 1 cable rather than the more common Type 2 to Type 2 lead. The car-end connector is the smaller, five-pin J1772 plug that locks into the Ampera's charge port. The wallbox or public AC charger end is a standard Type 2, so it works with all UK wallboxes and compatible public charge points.
Because the onboard charger is limited to 3.3kW, there is no speed advantage to a higher-rated cable: any Type 2 to Type 1 lead will deliver the car's maximum charge rate. AC is the only way to charge the Ampera; there is no DC rapid charging capability. A 5m cable suits most driveways; if your wallbox is set well back from the car, 7m gives extra comfort without the need to reposition.
What does it cost to charge?
Filling the 16.5kWh battery from empty costs roughly £1.25 on an off-peak EV tariff at around 7.5p per kWh, or around £4.50 on a standard rate of around 27p per kWh. The Ampera's small pack means a full charge is always inexpensive in absolute terms, even at peak rates. How far that takes you on electric power before the petrol range extender kicks in depends on driving style and conditions, but topping up at home every evening is the best way to minimise petrol use. Check current tariff rates as energy costs change.
Also for your Ampera
Goes well with.
Plug & Cable Holder · Type 2
Wottz Plug and Cable Holder
Carry Bag
Wottz Carry Bag
Dust Cap · Type 2
Wottz Dust Cap
Vauxhall Ampera FAQs
Good
questions.
Still not sure? Our team will confirm the right cable for your vehicle.
Contact usCan the Vauxhall Ampera charge at 22kW?+−
No, the Vauxhall Ampera has a single-phase onboard charger limited to 3.3kW, so a 7.4kW cable already delivers its full AC speed. A 22kW cable would only benefit a future car.
What length charging cable should I get?+−
5m suits most home and public charge points. Choose 7.5m or 10m if the charge point is far from your car's charging port or you park on the far side of a bay.
What charging cable does the Vauxhall Ampera need?+−
The Ampera uses a Type 1 (J1772) inlet, so you need a Type 2 to Type 1 cable. The Type 2 end connects to your wallbox or public AC charge point; the Type 1 end plugs into the car. Standard Type 2 to Type 2 cables used by most modern EVs will not fit. The car's onboard charger is limited to 3.3kW, so cable wattage rating does not affect charge speed.
Can the Vauxhall Ampera use rapid chargers?+−
No. The Ampera has no DC rapid charging capability and cannot use rapid or ultra-rapid charge points. It charges only on AC through its Type 1 inlet at a maximum of 3.3kW. A full charge from empty therefore takes around 4 to 5 hours on a wallbox, or longer on a 3-pin socket. Plan charging around overnight top-ups rather than en-route rapid sessions.
How long does the Vauxhall Ampera take to charge at home?+−
At 3.3kW, the 16.5kWh battery takes around 5 hours from fully depleted to a complete charge on a wallbox. On a standard 3-pin socket at around 2.3kW, expect closer to 7 hours. Both are fine for overnight charging. Once the battery is charged, the petrol engine takes over when it runs out, so there is no range anxiety for longer trips.
What cable length do I need for the Vauxhall Ampera?+−
A 5m Type 2 to Type 1 cable covers most standard driveways and public car park bays. If your wallbox or socket is further from where the car parks, or if the charging point is at the opposite end of the car from where it normally stops, a 7m lead gives extra reach and avoids the cable pulling taut at the connector.