What Type of Cable Do I Order?
Charging leads and portable charging cables have a plug on each end. One end goes to the power source and the other end connects to the car. The plugs must be the right fit for your car. EVs/PHEVs in New Zealand are either a Type 1 (ex-Japan) or Type 2 (ex-UK/NZ new). Each Type has a different shaped charging port. If you buy the wrong charging cable it won’t fit. For example, Type 2 charging ports can be found on Teslas, Nissan Leafs, BYDs, most Euro EV/PHEVs. Some Nissan Leafs are Type 1 if they are Japanese imports. Check before ordering.
Your EV/PHEV may also come with a DC charging port. For help on DC charging please head to our Public Charging info page on DC charging.
DO YOU HAVE TYPE 1 EV/PHEV?
EVs/PHEVs that are ex-Japan and have a Type 1 port are classified as Type 1 cars. The Type 1 port is round and the handle has a trigger. The Type 1 port/charging socket may be found beside a CHAdeMO DC port.
DO YOU HAVE TYPE 2 EV/PHEV?
EVs/PHEVs that are ex-UK or NZ new have a Type 2 port and are classified as Type 2 cars. Simply take a look under the flap and you will see a ‘D-shaped’ plug. This is a Type 2 plug/port/connector.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHARGING CABLES
Portable Charging cables plug in to an AC socket and allow you to charge your car from AC Mains power.
We stock a range of Portable Charging Cables to suit your wall socket type, type of EV and charging requirements.
For example our EV Power Type 1 Premium Charging Cable, 8 Amp will fit a Type 1 car.
Charging Leads
Charging Leads have no ‘In Cord-Control and Protection Device (IC-CPD). Charging Leads are used for charging at AC Wall Chargers.
For example our EV Power
New Zealand defaulted to the Caravan plug commonly referred to as Commando/CEE early on in the EV revolution. These plugs can carry a higher amp rating than the three-pin plug. Advice from WorkSafe and Master Electricians is that these devices should be fitted with an RCD Type B (for detection of DC current) in case of a car side charging fault. DC current going back into a switchboard could be an issue with potential fire risk in the extreme.
DC detection stops that; traditionally we have used an external RCD Type B to mitigate this threat, the issue has been the cost of supply and lack of definitive legal ruling about them. The cost of the device has often been a deterrent (often $600+). EV Power 16 Amp portable charging cables have the DC detection built-in.
You need to ask your electrician to wire up a 16 Amp socket.
