Free Next Working Day Delivery
Use our car reg compatibility checker to make sure your getting the right charger for you vehicle.
The BYD Dolphin Surf asks less of a charging cable than almost anything else on the road. It is the smallest and cheapest electric car BYD sells in Britain, the batteries are 30 kWh and 43.2 kWh, and most of the miles it covers are short ones. That combination pushes the answer down the price list rather than up it, which is not something we can say about the bigger cars in the range.
All three trims take 11 kW on AC as standard, the entry 30 kWh Active included, which is generous at this price. Battery size decides how long a charge lasts, not how quickly the car will accept one. Every Dolphin Surf uses a Type 2 to Type 2 Charging Cable, and no version was built with a Type 1 inlet, so the connector question answers itself.
The 11 kW rating is a three-phase figure. British homes run on single phase, so a home wallbox tops out at 7.4 kW for this car, and our 1-Phase, 32A cable carries the whole of it. The 3-Phase 32A cable is rated at 22 kW and works faultlessly, but the Dolphin Surf will not go past 11 kW, so it is money worth spending only where a genuine three-phase supply is already installed.
Because the batteries are small, this is one of the few cars where the Type 2 to 3-Pin Charging Cable can be your main cable rather than a spare. A 30 kWh Active goes from empty to full in under 15 hours on an ordinary UK 13A socket, so an overnight charge plus a morning clears the whole battery. If you rent, or a wallbox is not on the cards yet, that changes what owning the car looks like. Be clear about where it runs out, though. On the 43.2 kWh cars the same socket needs 21 hours from empty, so two heavy days back to back will leave you short, and a driveway with no outdoor socket makes the whole idea awkward. Worth reading how three-pin charging works in practice before you commit to it.
A 16A cable pegs the car at 3.7 kW. On batteries this small the penalty is mild rather than punishing, and it is a defensible buy on a Dolphin Surf in a way it is not on a large EV, though the 32A cable still halves the time for a modest difference in price. Our Type 2 to Type 2 cable comes in 5m, 10m, 15m and 20m, and a car under 4m long parked on its own driveway is usually well served by the 5m.
Moving up the range there is the larger BYD Dolphin and the BYD Atto 2, and the full BYD charging cable range sits here.
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 11 kW, three phase, standard
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 16A (5m / 10m) | 3.7 kW | 13 hours 15 mins | approx. 17 miles | Finishes overnight, just |
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW | 6 hours 30 mins | approx. 34 miles | Best Fit at home |
| Type 2 - 3-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 11 kW (car limited) | 4 hours 30 mins | approx. 51 miles | For 22kW posts and workplaces |
| Type 2 to 3-Pin (5m / 10m) | 2.3 kW | 21 hours 15 mins (approx.) | approx. 11 miles | Viable without a wallbox |
Maximum onboard AC charging speed: 11 kW, three phase, standard
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Range Added Per Hour | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 16A (5m / 10m) | 3.7 kW | 9 hours 15 mins | approx. 17 miles | Comfortably overnight |
| Type 2 - 1-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 7.4 kW | 4 hours 30 mins | approx. 34 miles | Best Fit at home |
| Type 2 - 3-Phase, 32A (5m / 10m) | 11 kW (car limited) | 3 hours | approx. 50 miles | For 22kW posts and workplaces |
| Type 2 to 3-Pin (5m / 10m) | 2.3 kW | 14 hours 45 mins (approx.) | approx. 11 miles | Genuinely practical overnight |
Range added per hour is based on each battery's WLTP efficiency. Winter driving and motorway speeds will lower it.
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
A BYD Dolphin Surf uses the Type 2 to Type 2 pattern, and 32A single phase is the fastest specification the car can make any use of at home. That is 7.4 kW, the ceiling of a single-phase British supply, and it applies equally to the Active, the Boost and the Comfort.
Yes, more realistically than on most electric cars. A BYD Dolphin Surf with the 30 kWh Active battery takes around 14 hours 45 minutes from empty on a 2.3 kW domestic socket, and the 43.2 kWh cars around 21 hours, so if your daily mileage is modest you are only replacing a fraction of that overnight. A wallbox and a 32A cable is still quicker and easier on your tariff, but the 3-pin route genuinely works on this car.
No. All three BYD Dolphin Surf trims share the same 11 kW onboard charger, so on a 32A cable the Active gains the same 34 miles of range an hour as the Boost and Comfort. The Active simply reaches full sooner, in about four and a half hours, because there is only 30 kWh to fill.
Not at home, where the supply is single phase. A BYD Dolphin Surf accepts 11 kW at most, so the 22 kW rating on the 3-Phase 32A cable can never be used in full anyway. Where three phase is installed, the 43.2 kWh car goes from empty to full in about 4 hours 30 minutes rather than 6 hours 30. On a single-phase supply that cable performs exactly as the 32A single-phase one does.
On a BYD Dolphin Surf a 16A cable is more defensible than on almost any other EV. It caps the car at 3.7 kW, which still fills the 30 kWh Active in 9 hours 15 minutes and the 43.2 kWh cars in 13 hours 15 minutes, both of them overnight jobs. The 32A cable roughly halves each of those figures if you would rather not use the whole night.
5m covers most BYD Dolphin Surf owners with a driveway. The car being under 4m long helps, but what settles it is the distance from your charge point to the car's socket with the car parked where you genuinely leave it. Roadside parking, a shared bay, or a wallbox on the far side of the house all point to 10m instead.
Both cables are made to sit outside all year, and the IP rating guide explains why the 3-pin cable needs the higher figure.
Every one is built to IEC 62196 Type 2 and certified to CE. IP55 on the Type 2 to Type 2, IP67 on the Type 2 to 3-Pin, usable from -30C to +50C, or +60C for the 3-pin. Two year manufacturer's warranty and free next working day UK delivery.
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 BYD Dolphin Surf | Select Type 2 to 3 pin for the BYD Dolphin Surf |
| 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 |
| Model and years | Battery | Connector | Max AC charge speed | Cable we recommend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Dolphin Surf Boost, 2025 on | 43.2 kWh | Type 2 | 11 kW, three phase, standard | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A single phase |
| BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort, 2025 on | 43.2 kWh | Type 2 | 11 kW, three phase, standard | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A single phase |
| BYD Dolphin Surf Active, 2025 on | 30 kWh | Type 2 | 11 kW, three phase, standard | Type 2 to Type 2, 32A single phase |
All three trims accept the same 11 kW, so the cable choice is the same across the range. On a UK single-phase home supply the car draws 7.4 kW, which our 32A single-phase cable delivers in full. Because the batteries are small, the Type 2 to 3-Pin cable is a genuinely practical option here rather than just a backup.
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.
Your cart is empty.
Continue shopping
