Which Charging Cable Should I Get for My Volkswagen EV?

Choosing the Right Charging Cable for Your Volkswagen Electric Vehicle

If you’ve just bought a Volkswagen electric vehicle, or are considering one, a key question to answer early is: which charging cable do I need? Whether you're driving an ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 or an ID.Buzz, getting the correct cable ensures safe, fast, and hassle-free charging—at home or on the go.

At EVwired, we specialise in helping UK EV drivers find the right electric vehicle accessories, and in this guide we will walk you through the essentials.

What Charging Cable Does My Volkswagen EV Use?

Most Volkswagen EVs—including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.Buzz—use a Type 2 connector. This is the standard plug for EVs in Europe and the UK.

• Type 2 to Type 2 cable – Ideal for public and home charging.

• 3-pin to Type 2 cable – Suitable for emergency or slow domestic charging via standard UK plug sockets.

• Type 2 single-phase vs three-phase – single-phase is common for most homes; three-phase supports faster speeds if your charging point is compatible.

Find out more about single-phase and three-phase charging in our blog: Understanding EV Charging Speeds: Should You Choose a Single Phase or Three Phase Cable?

How to Choose the Best EV Cable for Your VW

1. Determine Your Charging Location

• Home Charging (Wall Box): A Type 2 charging cable works perfectly for most UK setups.

• Public Charging Stations: Some stations in the UK use untethered Type 2 sockets—so you’ll need to bring your own Type 2 cable. Whereas other public charge-points come with a tethered Type 2 charging cable already attached. 

• 3-Pin UK Plug Backup: Useful when charging infrastructure isn’t available, but charges at a much slower rate.

2. Pick the Right Length

• Choose a cable length based on how far your EV is from the socket.

• 5m is sufficient for most driveways.

• 7m or 10m is helpful for greater flexibility or on-street parking.

• 15m provides even more flexibility for hard to reach areas.

3. Check Your Charging Speed

• Most VW EVs support 7.2kW or 11kW AC charging.

• If your home charger supports it and you have a 3-phase supply, choosing a 3-phase 22kW cable can future-proof your setup.