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Use our car reg compatibility checker to make sure your getting the right charger for you vehicle.
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Type 2 to Type 2, 32A single phase (5m / 10m)
The BMW i3 accepts up to 7.4 kW on AC. This cable hands over every watt of it. Domestic supply is single phase in any case, so no three-phase lead will make the car charge faster.
A BMW i3 charging cable has to suit an onboard AC charger rated at 7.4 kW, which is what BMW fitted to UK cars across all three battery generations. That is worth stating plainly, because the i3 is one of the few cars where what BMW advertised in Europe and what arrived in Britain are not the same thing.
When the 94 Ah car launched in 2016 BMW described its charging as multi-phase, capable of 3.7, 7.4 or 11 kW. That 11 kW figure is three separate 3.7 kW modules working together, and it is where the idea of an 11 kW i3 comes from. A car with that three-phase unit plugged into a single-phase British supply charges at only 3.7 kW, because just one of the three modules has anything to draw from. UK supplied cars got the 7.4 kW single-phase charger instead, which is twice as fast at a house.
So if your i3 sits at 3.7 kW on a 7 kW wallbox, it is very probably not faulty and not the cable. It is more likely a car built for a market with three-phase housing. A 32A cable will not change that, and neither will anything else you can buy.
Every BMW i3 and i3 REx uses a Type 2 to Type 2 Charging Cable, IP55 sealed on ours. Type 1 was fitted only to North American cars and never here, whatever the age of the car.
For a UK car our 1-Phase, 32A cable is the right buy. It carries the full 7.4 kW and fills the final 42.2 kWh car in about 5 hours 45 minutes, the 33 kWh car in 4 hours 15 minutes and the original 22 kWh car in 2 hours 45 minutes. The 16A cable halves the rate to 3.7 kW and roughly doubles all three, which on a car with this little battery is a real daily cost.
Skip the 22 kW three-phase cable. A UK i3 has a single-phase charger, so the extra phases have nothing to connect to at a house or anywhere else.
The small battery makes our Type 2 to 3-Pin Charging Cable more useful here than on most electric cars. It is IP67 sealed, takes 2.3 kW and fills the 22 kWh car in about 9 hours 15 minutes, so an early i3 can genuinely be run from a household socket. Our note on charging from a household socket covers where that stops working.
One point on the range extender: the i3 REx was withdrawn in Europe in October 2018, just before the 120 Ah battery arrived, so there is no UK 42.2 kWh i3 REx. A British range extender car will be a 60 Ah or 94 Ah model.
BMW's later electric cars charge very differently. The BMW iX1 and the BMW i4 have their own pages, and the BMW charging cable range covers everything. Our IP ratings guide explains the sealing figures.
Every cable is CE certified, built to IEC 62196 Type 2, rated from -30C to +50C, or +60C for the 3-pin, and comes with a 2 year manufacturer's warranty and free next working day UK delivery.
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 7.4 kW, single phase, on UK cars
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 16A (5m / 10m) | 3.7 kW | 11 hours 30 mins | approx. 19 miles | Workable but slow |
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW | 5 hours 45 mins | approx. 37 miles | Best Fit at home |
| Type 2 - 3-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW (car limited) | 5 hours 45 mins | approx. 37 miles | No benefit on a UK i3 |
| Type 2 to 3-Pin (5m / 10m) | 2.3 kW | 18 hours 30 mins | approx. 12 miles | Ideal backup |
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 7.4 kW single phase on UK cars. Cars built for three-phase markets manage only 3.7 kW here
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 16A (5m / 10m) | 3.7 kW | 8 hours 15 mins | approx. 25 miles | Workable but slow |
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW | 4 hours 15 mins | approx. 51 miles | Best Fit at home |
| Type 2 - 3-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW (car limited) | 4 hours 15 mins | approx. 51 miles | No benefit on a UK i3 |
| Type 2 to 3-Pin (5m / 10m) | 2.3 kW | 13 hours 15 mins | approx. 16 miles | Practical on this battery |
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 7.4 kW, single phase
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 16A (5m / 10m) | 3.7 kW | 5 hours 45 mins | approx. 24 miles | Fine on this battery |
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW | 2 hours 45 mins | approx. 49 miles | Best Fit at home |
| Type 2 - 3-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW (car limited) | 2 hours 45 mins | approx. 49 miles | No benefit on a UK i3 |
| Type 2 to 3-Pin (5m / 10m) | 2.3 kW | 9 hours 15 mins | approx. 15 miles | Genuine overnight option |
Only the 120 Ah car has an official WLTP figure. The 60 Ah and 94 Ah cars predate WLTP in the UK, so their range numbers come from the older NEDC cycle and read optimistically, which also makes their miles per hour figures look high. Winter and motorway pace both cut them further.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our cables. Every cable comes with a 2 year manufacturer's warranty, and the jacket will survive being driven over, though we would rather you did not make a habit of it.
Protection against pressure
Our cables are safe to use whatever the weather. Type 2 to Type 2 cables are IP55 rated, CE marked, and work from -30°C to +50°C. Type 2 to 3 pin cables are IP67 rated, CE marked and work from -30°C to +60°C.
Protection against temperature
Our cables fit any electric car or plug-in hybrid with a Type 2 inlet, including Audi, BMW, Volvo, Mini, Mercedes, Kia, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Smart and Toyota. Use our car reg checker to confirm your car.
Compatible with all Type 2 cars
The BMW i3 charges through Type 2 at both ends, on every model year and including the REx. For home use the 32A rating is the one to choose, since a UK i3 accepts 7.4 kW and that cable delivers all of it.
Almost certainly because it has the three-phase onboard charger fitted to cars built for markets with three-phase housing. That unit is three 3.7 kW modules, and a single-phase British supply can feed only one of them. A UK supplied BMW i3 has a 7.4 kW single-phase charger instead. No cable can change which unit is in the car.
No. A UK BMW i3 has a single-phase onboard charger, so the extra phases in a 22 kW cable have nothing to connect to, at home or anywhere else. It costs more than the 32A single-phase cable and charges the car at exactly the same speed.
Not in the UK. BMW withdrew the range extender from Europe in October 2018, immediately before the 120 Ah battery arrived, so a British BMW i3 REx will have either the 60 Ah or the 94 Ah pack. The 42.2 kWh REx was a North American car.
An early one genuinely can. A Type 2 to 3-Pin cable gives the BMW i3 2.3 kW, which fills the original 22 kWh battery in about 9 hours 15 minutes, comfortably inside a night. On the 42.2 kWh car it takes over 18 hours, so there it is a backup rather than a plan.
5m is usually plenty. The i3 is under four metres long and takes up very little driveway, and the charging flap sits on the rear offside where it is easy to reach from most wall unit positions. Choose 10m if the i3 lives on the street, or if it is parked behind a larger car and cannot get close to the wall.
Showing both cable types. Choose a cable type above and this section will show just that specification.
Showing the specification for the cable type you have selected. Compare both cable types.
| Type 2 to Type 2 | Type 2 to 3 pin | |
|---|---|---|
| Charges from | A home wallbox or a public charge point | Any standard UK 3 pin socket, no wallbox needed |
| Max power | 3.7 kW at 16A, 7.4 kW at 32A, 22 kW on three phase | 2.4 kW |
| Speed at home | 7.4 kW on a 32A cable. UK homes are single phase, so an 11 kW or 22 kW car still draws 7.4 kW | 2.4 kW |
| Range per hour | About 12 miles at 3.7 kW, 25 miles at 7.4 kW | About 8 miles |
| Weatherproof rating | IP55 | IP67 |
| Temperature | -30°C to +50°C | -30°C to +60°C |
| Built to | IEC 62196-2:2016 2-IIb | IEC 62752:2016 / COR1:2019 |
| Certified | CE | CE |
| Best for | Your everyday charging cable | Backup, and away from home where there is no wallbox |
| Choose this | Select Type 2 to Type 2 for the BMW i3 | Select Type 2 to 3 pin for the BMW i3 |
| Full range | All Type 2 to Type 2 cables | All Type 2 to 3 pin cables |
| Connector type | Type 2 to Type 2 (IEC 62196-2:2016 2-IIb, Mennekes) |
| Rated current | 16A or 32A single phase, or 32A three phase |
| Max power | 3.7 kW at 16A, 7.4 kW at 32A, 22 kW on three phase |
| Speed at home | 7.4 kW. UK homes are single phase, so an 11 kW or 22 kW car still draws 7.4 kW |
| Range per hour | About 12 miles at 3.7 kW, 25 miles at 7.4 kW |
| Slower supplies | Fine. Charging runs at the lowest limit of the car, the charge point and the cable, so a 32A cable works normally on a 16A supply |
| Voltage | AC 250V single phase, AC 400V three phase, 50Hz |
| Signal current | 2A at 30V |
| Full range | All Type 2 to Type 2 cables |
| Lengths | 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m |
| Conductors | 16A: 3 x 2.5mm² plus 2 x 0.5mm² 32A single phase: 3 x 6mm² plus 2 x 0.5mm² 32A three phase: 5 x 6mm² plus 1 x 0.5mm² |
| Insulation | XLPO |
| Sheath | TPU |
| Shell | Flame retardant thermoplastic, UL94-V0 |
| Pins | Copper alloy, silver plated |
| Colour | Black cable, green and black connectors |
| Weatherproof rating | IP55 in use |
| Temperature | -30°C to +50°C |
| Mechanical life | Over 1,000 connections |
| Impact | Survives a 1m drop and a 2 tonne vehicle driving over it |
| Plug force | Under 100N |
| Insulation resistance | Over 1,000 MΩ at DC 500V |
| Withstand voltage | 2,500V |
| Contact impedance | 0.5 mΩ maximum |
| Pin temp rise | Under 50K |
| Built to | IEC 62196-2:2016 2-IIb |
| Certified | CE |
| Connector type | Type 2 to 3 pin, BS1363 13A plug |
| Socket needed | Any standard UK 3 pin socket. No wallbox needed |
| Max power | 2.4 kW |
| Current | 6A to 13A, set on the control box |
| Voltage | 230V AC, 50Hz |
| Range per hour | About 8 miles |
| Overnight | About 100 miles in 12 hours |
| Full range | All Type 2 to 3 pin cables |
| Weatherproof rating | IP67 |
| RCD | Built in, Type B |
| Protection | Over and under voltage, overload, short circuit, earth leakage, over temperature and lightning surge |
| Built to | IEC 62752:2016 / COR1:2019 |
| Certified | CE |
| Display | OLED screen: charging time, energy used, live voltage, current and power, and lifetime total |
| Controls | Touch key, LED status light, adjustable current, delay timer |
| Box size | 200 x 90 x 52 mm |
| Weight | Up to 2.1 kg |
| Cooling | Natural air |
| Standby power | Under 0.5 W |
| Connectivity | None. No WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G or Ethernet |
| Lengths | 5m, 10m, 15m |
| Temperature | -30°C to +60°C |
| Humidity | Up to 95% |
| Max altitude | 2,000m |
| Materials | Tempered glass and PC control box |
| Colour | Black |
| In the box | Charging cable only. The premium storage carry bag is sold separately |
| Warranty | 2 year warranty |
| Delivery | Free next working day UK delivery |
Every UK i3 uses Type 2, including the REx range-extender cars. The range extender is a small petrol generator that tops the battery up on the move. It does not change the battery or the charger, so a REx charges exactly like the equivalent pure-electric car. Trim level makes no difference to charging.
| Badge | Years | Battery | Connector | Max AC charge speed | Cable we recommend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i3 60 Ah and i3 60 Ah REx | 2013 to 2017 | 22 kWh (18.8 usable) | Type 2 | 7.4 kW, single phase | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A |
| i3 94 Ah and i3 94 Ah REx | 2016 to 2018 | 33 kWh (27.2 usable) | Type 2 | 11 kW three phase, so 7.4 kW on a UK home supply | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A |
| i3 120 Ah and i3s 120 Ah | 2018 to 2022 | 42.2 kWh (37.9 usable) | Type 2 | 11 kW three phase, so 7.4 kW on a UK home supply | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A |
Free Next Working Day Delivery
Use our car reg compatibility checker to make sure your getting the right charger for you vehicle.
Cable Type:
How do I Choose?The cable connection depends on what connection type your car accepts. If you don't know, use our handy car reg checker.
Cable Length:
Sizing guideWe offer different length cables to suit your needs, whether you park next to your charger at home or at the office.
Rated Power (Charge Speed):
How do I Choose?Rated power is the fastest the cable can charge. Match it to your car and your charge point. A higher rated cable still works at every lower speed.
Accessory Add-Ons
We offer a range of products to help store and transport your charging cable. Choose from the accessories below:
A charging cable that connects electric vehicles (EVs) with a Type 2 connector to charging points is also equipped with a Type 2 socket. It supports faster charging speeds and is commonly used across Europe for EVs with this standard connection.
This cable allows electric vehicles with a Type 2 socket to charge from a standard UK 3-pin domestic outlet. It provides a slower charge but is useful for home or emergency charging when dedicated charging stations aren't available.
A cable used to extend the reach of a Type 2 charging cable. It's helpful when the existing cable is too short to connect an electric vehicle to the charging point, providing more flexibility in parking.
A fixed charging cable attached to a charging point, designed for electric vehicles with a Type 2 socket. The tethered design eliminates the need to carry a separate cable, offering convenience for regular charging at home or work.
A charging cable that connects electric vehicles with a Type 1 socket to charging points equipped with a Type 2 outlet. This allows EVs with the older Type 1 standard to use more modern charging infrastructure.
This cable enables electric vehicles with a Type 1 connector to charge from a standard UK 3-pin household outlet. It's suitable for slower charging at home when dedicated EV charging points aren't accessible.
A 5M charging cable is the shortest length that we offer. It is a great option if you can park close to the charge point and do not need much length to reach your car.
A 10M charging cable is the most popular length. It allows you to have enough flexibility whilst still being easy enough to move. This is a great option if you cannot park close to the electricity supply.
A 15M charging cable is a great choice if you need some extra flexibility, i.e. get past another car or reach the other end of a driveway. The length of the cable does not affect the charging speed.
A 20M charging cable is the longest cable that we currently offer. 20M reaches the vast majority of locations where you would want to charge your car. Always use one continuous cable. Never join two charging cables together and never charge through an extension lead, because the join is where heat builds up.
The choice if you will charge from a standard UK 3 pin socket. It runs at the most the socket can safely supply, and the control box lets you turn the current down for a slower, gentler charge overnight or on an older circuit.
A 16amp cable will be able to charge at 3.7kW. This is the cheapest product if your car's max charge speed is 3.7kW. If you have two electric cars or are looking to purchase another it might be worth considering a faster charging cable as this could limit charge speeds moving forward.
A 32amp charging cable will be able to charge at 7.4kW, which is the most a single phase UK home supply can deliver. A 32amp cable also charges at every lower speed (for example 16amp, 3.7kW), so it is the right choice if your home charge point is 7.4kW or you mostly charge at home.
A 32amp 3-phase charging cable will be able to charge at all speeds up to 22kW, so the cable never limits your charge speed at home or in public. It is also capable of charging at all lower charge speeds.
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