What’s the Difference Between an EV Charger and an EV Charging Cable?

September 3rd 2026

What’s the Difference Between an EV Charger and an EV Charging Cable?

Quick Answer

Although they’re often confused, an EV charger and an EV charging cable are not the same thing.

An EV charger controls the flow of electricity and safely charges your vehicle, whereas an EV charging cable simply transfers that electricity from the charging point to your car. Both are essential, but they each have a different job.

What Is an EV Charger?

An EV charger is the piece of equipment that safely delivers electricity to your electric vehicle. This could be a home wallbox installed at your property or a portable EV charger (often called a granny charger) that plugs into a standard UK 3-pin socket.

The charger communicates with your vehicle to ensure it receives the correct amount of power safely and efficiently.

What Is an EV Charging Cable?

An EV charging cable connects your electric vehicle to the charging point. Unlike a charger, the cable doesn’t control the charging process – it simply transfers electricity from the charger to your vehicle.

Most modern electric vehicles in the UK use a Type 2 charging cable, which is compatible with home wallboxes and most public charging stations.

So, Which One Do I Need?

It depends on how you charge your vehicle.

  • Charging at home with a wallbox? You’ll usually need a Type 2 charging cable.
  • Charging from a standard UK 3-pin socket? You’ll need a portable EV charger.
  • Using public charging stations? Most require you to use your own Type 2 charging cable, although some rapid chargers have built-in cables.

If you’re unsure, our vehicle compatibility checker can help you find the right charging solution for your electric vehicle.

💡 Did You Know?

Many new EV owners use the terms charger and charging cable interchangeably, but they’re completely different products. Knowing the difference can help you choose the correct equipment and avoid purchasing something you don’t actually need.

Looking for a quality EV charger or charging cable?

At EV Select, we offer a carefully selected range of premium EV charging cables and portable EV chargers, backed by friendly UK customer support and the trusted team behind CamperSelect. Browse our range today and find the right charging solution for your vehicle.