Volkswagen Golf GTE and eHybrid EV Charging Cable

Three generations, and the first two are 16A cars

The Mk7 GTE of 2015 to 2020 carries 8.7 kWh and about 31 miles of electric range on a 3.7 kW single phase charger. The Mk8 of 2020 to 2024 carries 13 kWh gross and 10.4 usable for about 44 miles, on a 3.6 kW single phase charger. Both are firmly 16A cars: a 7 kW home charge point on a Mk8 still takes three and a half hours for 10.4 kWh, which is the car limiting itself rather than the charger being slow.

The ceiling is the car, so a heavier cable finishes at the same time. So on either of those, a 32A cable finishes at exactly the same time as a 16A one.

The 2024 car, and why we will not promise you a figure

The Mk8.5 GTE and eHybrid changed substantially: 19.7 kWh usable from a 25.7 kWh pack, 81 and 89 miles of electric range, DC rapid charging at 50 kW for the first time, and an onboard AC charger Volkswagen quotes at up to 11 kW.

What Volkswagen does not publish is what that charger does on a single phase supply. Its own figures are a 2.3 kW household socket time of about twelve hours and an 11 kW time of about two and a half, with nothing in between. That gap matters, because the same 19.7 kWh hardware in the Skoda Kodiaq iV and Superb iV is confirmed to draw only about 4 kW from one phase, on Skoda's own technical support's account. If the Golf behaves the same way, a 32A cable buys you nothing. We have not been able to settle it, so if you have a Mk8.5 and the price difference matters, ask a Volkswagen dealer what the single phase rate is before you order.

How long a full charge takes

Figures are calculated rather than quoted: battery divided by power, 13 per cent for losses, quarter hour rounding. Columns are the Mk7, the Mk8 and the Mk8.5. Only the last can use the 11 kW row, and only on three phases. Volkswagen's own two and a half hour figure for the Mk8.5 is that row, not a home figure.

DC charging exists only on the 2024 car, at 50 kW for a 10 to 80 per cent stop in about 26 minutes. On the Mk7 and Mk8 there is no DC socket at all, so the Type 2 cable is the only way either of those ever charges.

Which length, and an honest note on the port

On the Mk7 the charging flap is in the centre of the nose, behind the VW badge, which several owners will recognise from the badge lock. On the Mk8 and Mk8.5 the sources disagree: one technical database puts it on the front left of the body while an owner describes a badge-mounted centre flap. We have not resolved it and will not guess.

The Golf is 4.28 metres. A front port, wherever exactly it sits across the nose, makes nose-in parking the easy case at 5 metres. Reverse onto the drive and the lead comes the length of the car, so 10 metres. The honest way to choose is to measure the real parking position and allow two metres spare.

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. The manufacturer warrants it for two years, delivery in the UK is free and next working day, and returns run to 30 days.

Looking at another Volkswagen? Start with the Volkswagen ID.3 EV Charging Cable, or browse every model in Volkswagen charging cables.

Volkswagen Golf GTE charging cable questions

Which cable does a Golf GTE need?

A 16A Type 2 to Type 2 lead for a Mk7 or Mk8: those cars cap at 3.6 to 3.7 kW and a 32A cable finishes no sooner. On the 2024 Mk8.5 we cannot tell you honestly, because Volkswagen does not publish the single phase rate.

Why does my 7 kW charger take three and a half hours?

Because a Mk8 Golf GTE draws about 3.6 kW no matter what it is plugged into. The charger is fine; the car is the limit.

Can a Golf GTE rapid charge?

Only the 2024 Mk8.5, which added CCS at 50 kW. The Mk7 and Mk8 have no DC socket at all, so on those the Type 2 cable is the only way to charge.

Where is the charging flap?

Centre of the nose behind the VW badge on the Mk7. On the Mk8 and Mk8.5 the sources contradict each other between the front left wing and a centre badge flap, so check your own car.