Which charging cable to buy?

[Samg123]

Hi all,

I am due to pick up an MG4 SE [Nav] shortly and the dealer has just informed me that it doesnt come with the Type 2 charging cable as originally 'suggested', just the mains charging cable. Looking at options, there appears to be two types of type 2, some that cap at 7kW and then up to 22. Can the MG4 handle the higher charge rate on what I think is still AC charging but phase 3? Is it worth getting the more expensive cable to do that, or just the standard type 2 that caps at 7?

 

[webhiker]

Depending on what is the normal in your market, but I will strongly suggest the 3-phased cable. Ny MG4 charges 11kW on 3 phases and it makes quite a difference. But it also depends on your use case. But as said, in my market I was not in any doubt of buying a 3-phased and as long that i can reach from one corner of the car to to far opposite corner. That ensures that you can always plug in no matter what parking solution or orientation there exists where you are charging.

 

[Bam Bam]

Hi all,

I am due to pick up an MG4 SE [Nav] shortly and the dealer has just informed me that it doesnt come with the Type 2 charging cable as originally 'suggested', just the mains charging cable. Looking at options, there appears to be two types of type 2, some that cap at 7kwh and then up to 22. Can the MG4 handle the higher charge rate on what I think is still AC charging but phase 3? Is it worth getting the more expensive cable to do that, or just the standard type 2 that caps at 7?

Others can confirm but my understanding is that if it is a UK SE it won't have three phase charging.

Some early trophies had this.

 

[gary333]

The first question is do you actually need one? The only time I used mine was when Podpointa were free (many years ago).

 

[Samg123]

The first question is do you actually need one? The only time I used mine was when Podpoint’s were free (many years ago)

It's a good question - it's mostly to account for the gap between getting it and having a home charger installed. Mains charging at home is quite tricky for security issues with leaving a window open!

 

[Everest]

I am due to pick up an MG4 SE [Nav] shortly and the dealer has just informed me that it doesnt come with the Type 2 charging cable as originally 'suggested'

Tell him that it's Christmas and he'd being a tight and that if he wants to sell it he can chuck in the cable that he originally implied it would come with

 

[Samg123]

Others can confirm but my understanding is that if it is a UK SE it won't have three phase charging.

Some early trophies had this.

It is UK - is there a way to confirm?

 

[gary333]

its a good question - its mostly to accoutn for the gap between getting it and having a home charger installed. mains charging at home is quite tricky for security issues with leaving a window open!

Unless you’ve got some decent priced charging posts close by it’ll likely make more sense just to rapid charge.

If you have Tesla chargers close they are cheapest, followed by Arnold Clark via Octopus Electroverse.

 

[Everest]

You may not use it, but it is good to have one in case of getting caught short or a DC charging having been vandalised when you've only got 10 miles of range left.

It is UK - is there a way to confirm?

Yes - look at its charging socket to see if the L2 and L3 pins are populated.

 

[gary333]

You may not use it, but it is good to have one in case of getting caught short or a DC charging having been vandalised when you've only got 10 miles of range left.


Yes - look at its charging socket to see if the L2 and L3 pins are populated.

I’d rather keep a 3pin in car for an emergency than a type 2. Plan better and unless you live in the middle of nowhere with an unexpected detour you shouldn’t get in to the issue you describe.

 

[Everest]

C

Post in thread 'MG4 Trophy LR MY2022 AC Charging Speed'

Feb 2, 2025

Hi I have just got my MG4 trophy long range and only accepts 6.6 at an 11kw charger. I have read that this car can take 11kw and wondered if I should buy a 3 phase cable. After reading up more it says my car socket should have 5 pins but it doesn’t. So now confused and maybe the max it can take in AC is 7kw. Any help is much appreciated.

If the bottom 2 holes are empty then yours is a 7kW single phase max version. If I remember correctly the early ones had 11kW but newer are all 7kW.

• craggy

• 

 

[Everest]

I’d really keep a 3pin in car for an emergency then a type 2.

Personally I prefer the type 2. There are plenty of type 2 public chargers, but less public 13A sockets and the latter will take a long time to get you going again. Each to their own though - I'm hoping I'll never need to use mine

 

[gary333]

Personally I prefer the type 2. There are plenty of type 2 public chargers, but less public 13A sockets and the latter will take a long time to get you going again. Each to their own though - I'm hoping I'll never need to use mine

It’s hardly a DC desert out there anymore though, yes, you might need to suck up the disgusting prices from a manky BP Polar charger or a random Podpoint DC. However, I think most would be hard pushed in the bulk of England to fluff up so bad in 2025 and run out of charge if they pay attention. Just in the last couple of years, the number of chargers dotted all over has increased massively.

Best advice to new people is plan travel around larger charging hubs would be my advice, and I'm travelling around 30,000 miles per year at the moment.

 

[ReintjeWA]

I have both the trickle charger and a type 2 cable in the frunk. If I didn't have a frunk though I probably wouldn't bother lugging the type 2 around. I got a 22 kw three phase capable cable, that way it'll work for any future cars too.

 

[Jomarkh]

It's a good question - it's mostly to account for the gap between getting it and having a home charger installed. Mains charging at home is quite tricky for security issues with leaving a window open!

Are getting a tethered EVSE ( charge point) with a cable or untethered in which case you will need a cable.
On the granny EVSE could you put an extension lead through the letter box?
If you do get caught out at a rapid charger that is broken it may have a working type2 port that needs you to use your own cable.

 

[MG Clive]

I have both the trickle charger and a type 2 cable in the frunk. If I didn't have a frunk though I probably wouldn't bother lugging the type 2 around. I got a 22 kw three phase capable cable, that way it'll work for any future cars too.

I keep my Granny, Type 2, and V2L in the car all the time, so they are always where the car is. My thought process is this, I'm never going to need any of the cables without the car, so the car is the best place to keep them.

 

[Samg123]

Are getting a tethered EVSE ( charge point) with a cable or untethered in which case you will need a cable.
On the granny EVSE could you put an extension lead through the letter box?
If you do get caught out at a rapid charger that is broken it may have a working type2 port that needs you to use your own cable.

a tethered charge point (a hypervolt) . There are a few on street chargers around our street though, plus I thought it might be good in some cases for destination charging. Good idea on the letter box though! il have to see if I can fit the plug through it.....