We’re just in the market for a new car and looking to get an EV.

One of the optional extras is a very expensive 6m Mode 3 Type 2 400V 16A 11kW IEC 3P cable “for public charging stations”.

I assumed the cables were already there are the charging stations, like the hoses at the petrol bowser?

Should we purchase this cable, or is it unnecessary? We don’t have a fast charger at home so, for the time being, we’re just planning to charge off the (included) 240V 10A cable at home.

  • zurohki
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    1 year ago

    You’re in Australia? You probably want one of these cables from EVSE for $230. They have a good reputation and fairly low prices.

    A three phase 32 amp cable will do 11kw (3x 16 amp) on a three phase station, or 7 kw (1x 32 amp) on a single phase station. A three phase 16A cable can only get you 3.6 kW (1x 16 amp) on a single phase station, which aren’t common but you may as well have it.

    Related: the EVSE Model 3 page

    Edit: the Tesla cable probably has the button on the handle that makes the charging port pop open. For a thousand dollars, I think I’d just open the cover with my hand.