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Use our car reg compatibility checker to make sure your getting the right charger for you vehicle.
Buy a Type 1 to Type 2 cable for the Vauxhall Ampera, and the 16A version is the one to get. The Ampera carries the five pin Type 1 inlet, and its onboard charger tops out at around 3.3 kW, so a 16A lead already covers everything the car is able to take.
This matters more here than on any other Vauxhall. Every other plug-in the brand has sold in Britain, the Corsa-e and the Mokka-e among them, uses the seven pin Type 2 socket. The Ampera does not. A Type 2 to Type 2 cable will not physically enter the Ampera inlet, so if you have inherited a lead from a newer car or from a previous owner, check the plug before you assume it fits.
Some sellers list the Ampera at 3.7 kW. That figure describes a 16A cable, not the car. The onboard charger sets the limit, and it sits at roughly 3.3 kW whatever you plug in. A 32A Type 1 lead will connect and charge perfectly safely, and it is worth having if you want the heavier cable or a particular length, but it will not shorten a single charge. There is no rapid charging on the Ampera at all, so nothing about DC posts applies to this car.
With around 10.5 kWh usable from the 16 kWh pack, a full charge on a 16A lead takes roughly three and a half hours. On a three pin plug, drawing 2.3 kW, expect a little over five. That is an overnight job rather than a top up while you shop, which suits the Ampera well: it is a range extender, so the petrol generator covers you once the battery is flat.
Length is the real decision. Five metres is enough when the car parks nose in beside the wallbox. Ten metres covers a shared bay, a driveway you reverse onto, or a post sited on the far side of the car. Both come with a 2 year manufacturer's warranty and free next working day UK delivery.
One footnote for anyone searching. The Ampera-e of 2017 is a different car altogether and was never sold here in right hand drive, so nothing on this page applies to it.
| Cable Type | Max Charge Rate | Empty to Full | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 to 3 Pin, 2.3 kW (5m / 10m) | 2.3 kW | 5h 15m | Backup only |
| Type 1 to Type 2, 16A (10m) | 3.3 kW | 3h 30m | Best fit |
| Type 1 to Type 2, 32A (5m / 10m) | 3.3 kW | 3h 30m | Fits, no faster |
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 Type 1 to Type 2 cable, 16A. The Ampera uses the five pin Type 1 inlet and its onboard charger stops at around 3.3 kW, so 16A already matches the car exactly. A 32A Type 1 lead fits and charges safely but adds no speed at all. Choose on length rather than on amperage here.
No. A Type 2 plug has seven pins and the Ampera inlet accepts the five pin Type 1. It simply will not go in. Every other plug-in Vauxhall sold in Britain uses Type 2, so a spare cable borrowed from a Corsa-e or a Mokka-e is of no use whatsoever on this car.
Not for speed. The car draws about 3.3 kW whether you hand it a 16A or a 32A Type 1 lead, so a full charge stays near three and a half hours either way. Buy 32A because you want the heavier cable, or because our 5m Type 1 lead happens to be a 32A one.
Around three and a half hours from empty on a 16A Type 1 cable, working from roughly 10.5 kWh usable in the 16 kWh pack. A three pin plug delivers 2.3 kW and stretches that to a little over five hours. The Ampera has no rapid charging, so those are the only speeds available.
No. Type 1 is a five pin single phase connector, so no three phase Type 1 cable exists anywhere. The physical ceiling for any Type 1 car is 7.4 kW, and the Ampera stops far below that at about 3.3 kW. Three phase supplies are simply irrelevant to this vehicle.
Five metres works when the car noses up to the wallbox and the flap is on the near side. Ten metres is the safer choice for a shared bay, a longer driveway, or public posts where you cannot pick your space. Both carry a 2 year manufacturer's warranty and free next working day UK delivery.
The Ampera is the only Vauxhall plug-in ever sold in Britain that is not Type 2, so this is the one page in the Vauxhall range where the connector genuinely matters. It is the European version of the Chevrolet Volt and uses a Type 1 inlet, the five-pin round socket, not the seven-pin Type 2 you will find on a Corsa-e or a Mokka-e. A Type 2 to Type 2 cable will not fit it. The onboard charger is about 3.3 kW, so a 16A cable is all the car can draw. There is no rapid charging at all. Worth adding: the Ampera-e of 2017 was never sold here, because Vauxhall confirmed it would not be built in right-hand drive.
| Badge | Years | Battery | Connector | Max AC charge speed | Cable we recommend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Ampera, range-extender | 2012 to 2015 | 16 kWh gross, around 10.5 kWh usable | Type 1. No rapid charging | Around 3.3 kW. Some retailers quote 3.7 kW, which is the cable rating rather than the car's | Type 1 to Type 2, 16A is all the car can use. 32A also fits |
| Chevrolet Volt, the same car under another badge | 2012 to 2015 | 16 kWh gross | Type 1 | Around 3.3 kW | Type 1 to Type 2, 16A is enough |
| Vauxhall Ampera-e | 2017, left-hand drive only | 60 kWh | Type 2 | Not applicable | Never sold in the UK. Vauxhall confirmed no right-hand-drive version |
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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