How to choose a charger and cable for an electric car in 2025? A guide for EV owners

Key findings
✅ Home charging is the cheapest and most cost-effective - a 7-11 kW wallbox is the optimal solution, especially with photovoltaics and cheaper night-time tariffs.

✅ Choosing the right cable is crucial - check compatibility with the car (Type 1 vs. Type 2), appropriate wattage and cable length.

✅ Smart chargers save money - models with remote control and RES integration can significantly reduce running costs.

✅ Future technologies are already developing - ultra-fast 800V chargers, wireless charging and V2G systems (returning energy to the grid) will revolutionise the EV market.

1. Introduction

🚀 Why does the choice of charger and cable matter?

The charger and cable are key elements in the daily operation of an electric car. Their selection affects charging speed, safety and convenience. Improperly selected equipment can lead to slower charging, overheating and even battery damage.

⚡ What changes have occurred in the EV charging market in 2025?

• New fast charging standards and increased power for devices.
• Intelligent features to optimise energy consumption and integrate chargers into home photovoltaic systems.
• Stricter safety standards and greater availability of public fast charging stations.

🎯 The purpose of this guide – how to make the best decision?

You will learn how to choose a charger and cable to suit your electric car and lifestyle. You will learn the key parameters, compare the options available and avoid unnecessary costs.

2 Types of electric car chargers – which one to choose?

🏠 Portable chargers for electric cars: Charging from a household socket (230 V)

The simplest method of charging an EV is to use a standard 230 V household socket. Although this does not require additional investment in infrastructure, the charging process is relatively slow. For example, it can take more than 20 hours to charge a 50 kWh battery. This method is suitable for people who use the vehicle occasionally. However, it is the cheapest type of charger. In our shop, you will find, among others, the B35 Mobile Electric Car Charger – 16A, 3.7 kW, Type 2 for as little as 119 EUR!

🔋 Wallbox – the best option for your home?

Wallbox is a dedicated wall-mounted AC charger. It offers power from 3.7 kW to as much as 22 kW, significantly reducing charging times. It is the best solution for everyday use in the home.

⚡ DC fast charging stations – for whom?

DC chargers (up to 350 kW) can charge a car in 15-30 minutes, but their cost and infrastructure requirements mean that they are mainly used at public stations.

🏙️ Public chargers – are they worth relying on?

Public chargers are convenient, but availability and pricing can be problematic. They are worth considering as a supplement to home charging.

🔄 Comparison of performance and costs of different types of charging

• 230V socket – the cheapest, but free.
• Wallbox 7-22 kW – optimal in terms of speed and operating costs.
• DC charger – the fastest, but expensive and requiring a high-powered connection.

3 Key parameters of the EV charger

🔌 Charger power – how many kW will be optimal?

For most users, a domestic wallbox with 7.4 kW (single-phase) or 11 kW (three-phase) will be sufficient.

🔄 Single-phase or three-phase – which electric car charger to choose?

• Single-phase (3.7-7.4 kW) – cheaper and simpler to install, but slower.
• Three-phase (11-22 kW) – requires a more powerful installation, but provides shorter charging times.

🔋 Compatibility with the vehicle – how to check?

Not all cars support three-phase charging. Check the specifications of your vehicle before purchasing a charger.

📲 ‘Smart’ chargers – is it worth paying extra for smart features?

Chargers with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth allow remote control, charging programming and integration with photovoltaics. It is worth paying extra for these features if you want to optimise your energy costs.

🔐 Safety in use – what certifications should the charger have?

Ensure that the charger is CE, TÜV or UL certified to guarantee its safety and compliance.

4. how do you select an electric car charging cable?

🛠️ Why is choosing a cable as important as choosing a charger?

A cable with too little power can limit the speed of charging and one that is too short can make it difficult to use the charger.

🔌 Plug types: Type 1 vs. Type 2 – which standard applies in 2025?

• Type 1 – mainly used on older vehicles and some Asian models.
• Type 2 – the European standard, supported by most new EVs.

🔗 Cable length – how to choose the optimal variant?

The most common cables are 5-7 m long. It is advisable to choose a slightly longer cable to avoid problems with access to the charger.

⚡ Maximum power supported by the cable – how to avoid performance drops?

Choose a cable that supports the power of the charger – for example, for a wallbox 11 kW, the cable should have the same power.

🌧️ Weather resistance – does the cable need to be waterproof?

Yes, especially if you plan to charge outdoors. Cables with an IP44 rating or higher provide resistance to water and dust.

5. Installing a home charger for electric cars – step by step

🏠 How do I prepare my home electrical installation for the installation of a wallbox?

Check that your installation has adequate power and protection. If necessary, the connection may need to be upgraded.

🛠️ Do you need a specialist electrician?

Yes, the installation of the wallbox should be carried out by a qualified electrician to ensure safety and compliance with standards.

⚖️ Legal aspects and required installation permits

In most cases, the installation of a charger up to 22 kW does not require special permits, but it is worth checking local regulations.

💰 Cost of installing a wallbox – what are the real expenses?

• Wallbox 7-22 kW – £2000-5000
• Assembly – PLN 1000-3000
• Possible modernisation of the installation – PLN 2000-5000

⚡ Optimisation of charging costs – night-time tariffs and photovoltaics

Charging at night on a G12 tariff can cut costs by 30-50%. If you have a photovoltaic installation, you can practically charge your car for free.

Charging costs of an electric car in 2025 – economic analysis

🏡 Charging at home vs. at the station – which is more worthwhile?

Charging an electric car at home is definitely cheaper than at public charging stations. At the standard electricity tariff, the cost of 1 kWh is on average PLN 0.70-1.20, while at fast DC stations prices can reach as much as PLN 2.50-3.00/kWh. For a car with a 60 kWh battery, the cost difference can be 60-100 PLN per charge.

🔄 Does it pay to invest in energy storage?

Energy storages allow surplus energy from photovoltaics to be stored, allowing the car to be charged virtually for free. Although the cost of installing an energy storage facility in 2025 is around £15,000 – £40, 000, with annual savings of £2,500-4,000, the investment can pay for itself within 5-10 years.

💳 Subscriptions and RFID cards – is it worth using operators?

Some charging networks offer subscriptions that reduce the cost of charging. Examples:

• Monthly subscription (approx. £50-100) – lower price per kWh on public chargers.
• RFID cards – allow quick authorisation of recharges and sometimes offer discounts.

They are worth considering if you frequently use public chargers.

🔌 Cost comparison by energy supplier

Some suppliers offer special EV tariffs, such as:

• G12 night tariffs – charging between 22:00-06:00 can be up to 50% cheaper.
• EV packages – dedicated to electric owners, e.g. £0.40-0.60/kWh at selected times.

🌍 Ecological aspects of charging – how to reduce carbon footprint?

The most environmentally friendly is charging from RES, i.e. solar or wind power. Investing in photovoltaics and charging the EV during the day can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.

7. the best EV chargers in 2025 – ranking and recommendations

🥇 Best home chargers – top 5 models

1. Tesla Wall Connector Gen 4 – smart features, fast charging up to 22 kW.
2. Wallbox Pulsar Plus – compact, app-supported, output up to 22 kW.
3. Juice Booster 2 – mobility and robust design, multi-car compatibility.
4. ABB Terra AC – a robust and certified premium charger.
5. Zappi V2.1 – ideal for integration with photovoltaics.

🏆 Ranking of the most efficient charging cables

1. Phoenix Contact Type 2 22 kW – robust design, high quality.
2. Mennekes Type 2 11 kW – flexible and robust.
3. EVBox Type 2 22 kW – weatherproof.
4. Tesla Mobile Connector – a versatile cable for various sockets.
5. Khons Type 2 11 kW – affordable but high quality.

📱 The most innovative features in chargers 2025

• Dynamic power management – optimising energy consumption.
• Integration with V2G (vehicle-to-grid) – feeding energy back into the grid.
• Voice control – operated by AI assistants.

🔌 Premium vs. budget brands – which to choose?

• Premium: Tesla, Wallbox, ABB – advanced technology, higher price.
• Budget: Green Cell, Khons – cheaper but robust solutions for less demanding users.

8 The future of EV charging technology

⚡ Wireless EV charging – is it the future?

Inductive charging technology is being developed, but is still expensive and less efficient than wired solutions. For the time being, it works mainly in fleet vehicles and luxury EVs.

🔋 Ultra-fast 800V chargers – when will they be available?

As early as 2025, 800V chargers will be increasingly common, allowing 10-80% charging in 15 minutes. They are supported by the Porsche Taycan, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the Kia EV6, among others.

🏙️ Smart grids and V2G – how can cars give energy back to the grid?

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows cars to return battery power to the grid, lowering electricity bills. This is the future of distributed energy.

🛣️ New charging infrastructure regulations in Europe

From 2025. The European Union requires that there will be fast-charging stations every 60 km on motorways. In addition, the new regulations introduce standardised card payments at each station.

9. summary – how do you choose the best charger and cable for your EV?

📌 Key findings of the guide

• Home charging is the most cost-effective – especially with photovoltaics or cheaper night-time tariffs.
• Wallbox 11-22 kW is the best solution for the home – fast and future-proof.
• Type 2 11-22 kW cable is the standard for most EVs in Europe.
• Smart chargers save on bills – it’s worth investing in models with an app.

✅ Most important selection criteria – checklist before purchasing

✔ Vehicle compatibility 🚗 🚗 ✔ Charger capacity
✔ Charger power ⚡ ⚡
✔ Intelligent functions 📱
✔ Build quality and certification 🔐

🔄 Is it worth buying a charger now or waiting?

If you have an EV and charge your car every day, it is worth investing now. New technologies are developing, but 11-22 kW wallboxes will remain the standard for years to come.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Which EV charging cable will be best for my car?
➡️ Check whether your car supports Type 1 or Type 2 and choose a cable with the right power.

❓ Can I charge my electric car with an ordinary extension cord?
➡️ This is not recommended – it can cause overheating and a risk of fire.

❓ What safety features should a good charger have?
➡️ Surge protection, earth leakage circuit breaker, CE/TÜV certifications.

❓ Does EV charging at low temperatures require special technology?
➡️ Some EV models heat the battery before charging, which improves efficiency.