Vauxhall Corsa-e EV Charging Cable

Two chargers were sold, and it does not matter which you have

The 2020 to 2021 Corsa-e was offered with either charger, and unusually Vauxhall put it in the trim name: SE Nav Premium 7.4kW against SE Nav Premium 11kW. Its price guide explained that 7.4 kW was standard, that variants with 11 kW existed, and that availability of those was strictly limited.

From MY22 the 11 kW three phase charger became standard across the range. There is a market difference here worth knowing about. Across mainland Europe this platform is sold with a 7.4 kW single phase charger as standard and an 11 kW three phase one as a paid option; in Britain the 11 kW unit is fitted as standard and a three phase cable comes with the car. At a house the two arrangements are indistinguishable, because both arrive at 7.4 kW. So whichever car you have, the answer on your driveway is 7.4 kW. EV Database shows this neatly by printing both tables for the same car, and the single phase 32 amp row reads 7.4 kW in each.

The 2023 facelift changed motor and battery together

The motor went from 100 kW and 205 newton metres to 115 kW and 260. The battery went from 46 kWh usable of 50 gross to 49 usable of 51. WLTP range went from 221 miles to 251, then 265 on the newest declaration.

There is a labelling wrinkle worth flagging: from MY25 the same physical pack is re-declared as 54 kWh gross with 50.8 usable. So three numbers, 50, 51 and 54 kWh, describe what are essentially two packs. Vauxhall publishes the usable figure alongside the gross one in its price guides, which is more than most makers do.

How long a full charge takes

Figures are calculated rather than quoted: battery divided by power, 13 per cent for losses, quarter hour rounding. The range column is deliberately cautious, at 3.5 miles per kWh. The two figures cover the pre and post facelift usable capacities.

Vauxhall quotes seven and a half hours for a full charge on a 7 kW supply against five hours on an 11 kW three phase one, which is the difference between a domestic connection and an industrial one rather than a difference between cars.

Rapid charging and a cable that is not included

DC is claimed at 100 kW with nought to eighty per cent in half an hour, and EV Database measures peaks of 101 to 107 kW depending on pack. A three phase Mode 3 cable is standard equipment.

What is not standard is the Mode 2 three pin lead. Vauxhall lists it as a chargeable accessory at £584, which surprises a lot of buyers who assume a granny cable comes with every electric car. Ours cost rather less than that.

Which length for a Corsa-e

Nearside rear quarter, confirmed independently: the CCS inlet is found on the near side rear three quarter panel where you would expect to find a fuel flap. You will find the socket on the nearside rear wing, exactly where you would look for a petrol cap. It is the pavement side of the car, which helps at a kerbside charge point and means the cable run depends on which way round you park.

At 4.06 metres this is a small car, which helps. Five metres works where you reverse in with the charge point behind; ten metres is the safer general choice. The measurement that counts is the one taken with the car in its usual spot, plus a margin for the slack the lead needs.

How these cables are built

Built to IEC 62196-2 and CE marked, with an IP55 rating that covers rain and dust on an exposed driveway, and a working range of -30C to +50C.

On the three pin side the standard is IEC 62752, with CE marking, IP67 sealing and a -30C to +60C range. It carries a two year manufacturer's warranty, ships free on next working day delivery, and can go back inside 30 days.

Looking at another Vauxhall? Start with the Vauxhall Ampera EV Charging Cable, or browse every model in Vauxhall charging cables. For a wall box or public post the lead is the Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.

Vauxhall Corsa-e charging cable questions

My Corsa-e trim name says 7.4kW. Is that a problem?

No. On a British single phase supply a 7.4 kW car and an 11 kW car charge at exactly the same speed. The 11 kW only helps at a three phase public post.

What changed at the 2023 facelift?

Motor from 100 to 115 kW, battery from 50 to 51 kWh gross, and WLTP range from 221 to 251 miles.

Is a three pin cable included with the car?

No. Vauxhall lists the Mode 2 lead as a chargeable accessory. Only the Mode 3 cable is standard.

Where is the charge socket?

Nearside rear quarter, in the position you would expect a fuel flap.