EV mode 2 charging

The first thing to say is don’t get confused between mode 2 charging and type 2 charging. Type 2 refers to the type of plug on the cable, and mode 2 refers to the connection equipment used to control the charging.

The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) has an FAQ for Electric vehicle charging installations, particularly the relevance of BS 7671 (the wiring regulations applicable in the UK) and BS 1363-2.

In summary, don’t use mode 1 charging. If you must use mode 2 charging, ensure the 13A socket complies with BS 1363-2 and is marked as suitable for EV charging. The preferred mode is mode 3, also referred to as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) which is designed for EV charging.

13A sockets were designed for a peak current of 13A and a maximum continuous current of 10A. Hence, while a 13A socket can deliver over 3kW of power, it shouldn’t be used for any loads exceeding 2.4kW for extended periods of time, such as hours charging an EV (or heating a hot tub). An EVSE will typically be rated at 7kW and hence almost 3 times quicker to charge than using a 13A socket. So, if you are using a non-compliant BS 1363-2 13A socket for charging your EV, be sure to limit the current to 10A or less.