Reviews
REVIEW: Type 2 Charging Cable with Built-in Chargeport Opener
EVChargeKing outfits Type 2 charging cables with built-in Tesla Model S chargeport opener
On January 24, 2013 the European Commission in Brussels agreed to make a common standard for charging EVs in the European Union. From that date the Mennekes “Type 2” Mode 3 should be the standard and used in all EVs and public charging stations within the Union.
At the same time the European Commission made a prediction saying that in the year 2020, France should have 97,000 public charging stations, Germany should get 150,000, Italy 125,000, and the UK 122,000. All with Type 2 connectors.
Type 2 supports up to 22kw charging rate – 32 Amp / 400V.
As this agreement in the European Commission was made in the beginning of 2013 and the first Teslas were delivered to Norway, Switzerland and Netherlands in August 2013, Tesla made a good choice by delivering all European Tesla Model S with Type 2 Connectors and also equipping the new Tesla Superchargers with Type 2 connectors only.
Besides being a smart choice for the European market, it also means that importing a Model S from US to Europe is going to be quite a hassle as you are not going to be able to charge at any public charging stations and/or Tesla Superchargers.
Type 2 plugs outfitted to European-based Tesla Model S
Even though there is a common standard for charging stations, there are no regulations stating if the charging station should have a type 2 cable or not. Therefore if you are traveling in the European Union and you are getting away from the Supercharger network you will need to bring your own Type 2 cable.
Besides public stations you can also get home chargers that use Type 2 cables, mostly used if you wanna charge with more than the Tesla UMC can handle (>16A/400V).
Type 2 cables can be brought at your local Tesla Service Center and a priced around 200 Euro or $220 USD for a 7.5 meter (25′) cable. However, the Type 2 cables have one big disadvantage compared to the Tesla Universal Mobile Connector, there is no chargeport opener built-in, until now.
EVChargeKing have made a new Type 2 charging cable with built-in charge port opener that addresses this inconvenience.
EVChargeKing Type 2 Charging Cable
The cables comes only in one version – Type 2 Mode 3, 6 meter 32 Amp. 3-phase, and available in your choice of orange or black cable. A look on EVChargeKing’s site also shows that they also have a Tesla charging installation kit that allows them to build in the automatic charge port opener into their existing charging station or home unit. But for the purpose of this review, I’ll be looking at just the Type 2 charging cable.
The cable comes well packed and is well protected against transport injuries. The box contains the charging cable and a welcome sheet with some basic instructions.
This particular set was priced at 375.00 Euro incl. Tax. and was sent from Belgium. The charge port opener in both cable and kit is battery operated. Battery is built-in and requires dissembling for replacement.
The cable used for it is a good quality rubber 5G6.0mm2 suitable for up to 38 Amp in a working temperature up to 60 degrees Celsius. However, other cables that I’ve used, such as the one I have from Tesla, have an outer plastic protection layer that may protect the cable better.
EVChargeKing Type 2 Charging Cable
The length of the cable is 6 meters, enough to maneuver past a smaller ICE car if they happen to occupy the parking space in front of the charging station. In some situations, the length of the cable is enough to go the length of the car which allows for nose-in parking.
The Chargeport opener
EVChargeKing Type 2 charging cable with Model S automatic charge port opener
The charge port opener button is located on top of the handle that plugs into the car. The button is nicely crafted in stainless steel, convex and with a thick bezel. Only the middle portion of the button can be depressed. While this looks nice and appears to be durable, it may be a challenge for those that have big thumbs, like me, to depress the button. Because of the design, the button almost lays flat against the bezel thus requiring you to really use the tips of your thumbs to depress the button.
It took me a couple of tries before I got it working, but once I did, it was smooth sailing. Again, this might be because of my big thumbs or because the button was new.
Range on the automatic charge port opener
Areas within the dotted green line indicate the effectiveness of the charge port opener.
The EVChargeKing cable was compared against the Tesla UMC and I can confirm that both have very similar ranges when it comes to being able to open the charge port door from a distance. The figure above indicates the area where the charge port opener was the most effective.
Range is illustrated as the area between the dotted green line and the car. It works great and there’s no chance of opening charge ports on nearby vehicles. However, if you want even better range, the Stegen chargeport opener might be a better choice.
Charging Cable
A charge port opener is no use if the cable cannot be used for charging – right?
In Denmark, where I live, there a 2 major charging station companies, Clever and E-on, both requires charging cards and prices are 0.74 Euro or 0.81 USD per kWh. That’s 77.7 Euro or $85.05 USD for a full charge! Better rates are possible if you charge often.
I tested the Type 2 charging cable on on both 16A (3-ph) and 32A (3-ph). With both, it worked like a charm providing a full 16A and 32A, close to 50 km/h or 100 km/h of typical range. As voltage may vary between chargers the charge speed will also vary slightly.
The cable is durable enough to support high power rates, and at 6 meters long, it is quite heavy and requires some struggling when rolling out/in. Personally some sort of cable management would be appreciated, but that’s really mean to call-out vendors and let them know that there’s a need for some sort of portable cable management system.
Summary
The EVChargeking Type-2 charging cable gives you up to 22 kw charging option, a good length of 6 meters and a very convenient charge port opener button. At 375.00 Euro, the price is on the high side, but if you have the extra money then this is the perfect cable to bring along.
Tesla Cybertruck’s three configurations are all the same on the outside from an appearance perspective, but they differ slightly in price, range, performance, and other features. After yesterday’s price adjustment, Tesla’s Base All-Wheel-Drive Cybertruck is now priced at $74,990, a far cry from the $59,990 it started at several months ago.
At $60,000, the Cybertruck All-Wheel-Drive is a steal: no pickup, electric or gas-powered, comes close in terms of overall driving capability thanks to Steer-by-Wire; no truck is more fun to drive at that price, and add in Full Self-Driving for $99 per month, and you truly have the best possible pickup on the market, at least if you’re planning to use it for driving.
I unfortunately didn’t have the equipment to test towing and payload and how it impacts the truck.
But at $75,000, is it still worth it? Obviously, the question gets to be more difficult because of the $15,000 difference. But there’s still an argument.
I spent the last week with this awesome truck, and when I took it back, I was sad because it truly is the best Tesla in the lineup. I formerly said the Model S was my favorite Tesla, but after a week with Cybertruck, I can easily say it would be my choice over the now-defunct all-electric sedan.
What makes it so great? Well, a lot of things, and there are some things that I’d like to see change. However, this is a truck that truly has a serious argument for those who are thinking of trying something completely different.
Exterior and Interior
This build comes with 18″ Molten Wheels as the standard offering, but 20″ Core Wheels with 35″ tires are also available. The standard wheel option on this affordable model is not my favorite, but it can be easily swapped for something more attractive.
Overall, this particular build did have some panel gap issues that were especially noticeable between the hood and both front quarter panels. This is obviously not an “across the board” issue, as the Cyberbeast I took home for comparative reasons was significantly better overall.
It’s 📐 week. Cybertruck AWD!!! pic.twitter.com/0hkmTQDQYk
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 19, 2026
The interior is different, with its textile material instead of the vegan leather. Personally, I missed the leather due to the ventilated seats, but I prefer the textile as I personally felt like they were more comfortable. This is something I’d definitely consider if I were between the three trim levels and money was not really an issue.
After 610 miles on Monday in this thing, I did not feel any different than I did when I left my house that morning. It feels like a living room on wheels; after a long drive, you truly do not feel as if you’ve been in a car all day long.
My biggest interior complaints were that I’d like at least two USB-C ports in the front; you are confined to just one, and it’s hidden in the center console. The rear row has two ports. Additionally, the windshield is super difficult to clean, so if you end up buying one of these, save your back and get something that extends.
Driving Performance and Comfort
One of the most surprising things about Cybertruck is the fact that it is perhaps the smoothest ride of any Tesla available. Most believe it might be rough, stiff, and rugged like most trucks, maybe not as forgiving on the back and bottom as you sit in it for an extended period of time.
I’m here to tell you, you won’t regret sitting in a Cybertruck for a long drive.
I put as many people who dislike EVs, don’t like Cybertrucks, or use trucks for work, and judge the Cybertruck in this thing in the past week. Every single person who got in this truck loved it: they loved the speed, the handling, FSD, the space, the capability, and the feel.
As previously noted, even after hundreds of miles and 14 hours spent driving around Pennsylvania, I didn’t feel tired, exhausted, or in any hurry to come home. I would have driven another 300 miles without question.
Final Thoughts
If I had my choice of the three Cybertruck trims, I think I’d take the All-Wheel-Drive for a few reasons. Initially, the price is more attractive, it is not that stripped of features, and it has everything I need.
Is it worth it at $75,000? I believe it is. I’ve driven trucks that are at a higher price point and consider this to be a better product from a driving and experience perspective. However, other pickups on the market have more towing capacity, payload capacity, and range. They do not have FSD or steer-by-wire, the two things that truly make the Cybertruck in a league of its own.
I can’t think of a time in recent memory that I’ve been this excited to drive a vehicle each day, and I literally look for excuses to drive my Model Y on a daily basis. This Cybertruck just blows the Model Y out of the water in every possible way, at least in my opinion. With the size, performance, and driving experience, there is no better Tesla out there.
You can check out the full video review below. If you have any questions about the Cybertruck AWD, be sure to reach out and let me know:
🚨FULL REVIEW of the unbelievable Tesla Cybertruck AWD 📐 pic.twitter.com/S0wHALl87K
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 26, 2026
News
Tesla’s AI Chief just hinted at something big for FSD v14 lite owners
Tesla’s AI chief suggests the newest FSD v14 Lite build may finally go wide release.
Tesla’s head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, noted on Sunday that the newest FSD v14 Lite build rolling out to Hardware 3 cars is likely the version that goes to wide release, the strongest signal yet that Tesla is near to closing out an early access phase that Hardware 3 owners have waited more than a year for.
Elluswamy made the comment in response to an extensive review from Tesla owner Zack, known on X as @BLKMDL3, who tested software version 2026.20.6.10 and detailed the changes in a lengthy post. “FSD v14 Lite (for Tesla AI3 hardware vehicles) review.
The update restarts a rollout that had stalled after its initial release. Tesla began pushing FSD v14 Lite to Hardware 3 early access drivers on June 29, bringing driving behavior learned on the newer Hardware 4 computer down to the more limited chip that has powered Tesla vehicles built between 2019 and early 2023. That release, as we covered in detail, gave roughly 4 million HW3 vehicles their first meaningful update since being frozen on version 12.6 in early 2025.
Tesla Full Self-Driving v14 ‘Lite’ Release Notes: new capabilities and features
The latest build adds features that bring Hardware 3 closer in line with what Hardware 4 owners already have. FSD can now start directly from park without a brake pedal confirmation, a change Zack called a small but meaningful quality of life improvement. The interface also picks up the blue “P” park icon, approaching destination alerts, and a dedicated Self-Driving app with streak tracking, all details previously exclusive to the AI4 branch of v14, as outlined in Tesla’s original release notes.
The stakes around Hardware 3 go beyond software polish. Tesla sold the Full Self-Driving package for years on the promise that every vehicle equipped with it had the hardware needed to eventually drive itself without supervision. That promise broke down during Tesla’s Q1 2026 earnings call, when Musk acknowledged HW3 cars could not run unsupervised FSD, prompting Tesla to offer trade-in discounts and hardware retrofits alongside the Lite software track.
Tesla confirmed HW3 can’t do Unsupervised FSD but there’s more to the story
Tesla has continued to frame v14 Lite as the primary path forward for the HW3 fleet, telling owners in April that international markets would follow the U.S. rollout once regulatory approvals came through. For now, HW3 owners in the early access group are the only ones running the new build. A broader rollout would mark the second major software delivery to the legacy fleet since Tesla first released FSD v14 to Hardware 4 vehicles, and the first sign since June that the Lite program is still moving rather than stuck in early access limbo.
The Tesla Model Y has won U.S. News award for “Best Luxury Electric SUV,” beating out a heavy lineup of worthy battery-powered sport utility vehicles.
The Model Y first was delivered to owners in early 2020 and was the automaker’s answer to the widely-popular crossover SUV sector. A sibling of the first mass-market vehicle the company offered, the Model 3, Tesla’s Model Y has quickly become the company’s best-selling electric car, and that’s saying something considering it is not the most affordable Tesla vehicle and starts at $62,990.
U.S. News recognizes Tesla’s influence in the changing automotive market, identifying that it was likely the catalyst in bringing EVs to mainstream status. Despite the rapid expansion of the EV segment, Tesla has remained at the top of the hill, fending off worthy competitors like Volkswagen, Ford, and General Motors, who have spent decades developing some of the best automotive technology the world has seen. However, Tesla has also managed to stay above tech-focused and savvy automotive startups entering the electric sector, with battery powertrains being their only focus. Rivian and Lucid, two of the most notable names to fit that description, still have not managed to catch up with Tesla.
The Model Y effectively expanded Tesla’s product line to include a new body style. While the Model X has been offered for seven years, the falcon-wing door-equipped SUV is still only produced for sentimental reasons, according to CEO Elon Musk. It also is much more expensive than the Model Y, and starts at $114,990.
Tesla plans to produce Model Ys with both 4680 and 2170 cells at Gigafactory Texas this year
Those who do not quite have the means to spend over $100,000 on an all-electric SUV have plenty of options, but if a consumer is looking for luxury, the Model Y may be the best choice. U.S. News highlights that, while the Model Y does offer less overall cargo and utility room than the Model X, it still boasts many of the same tech features that Tesla has been known to put in its cars. The Model Y has plenty of performance too, and its premier trim level will get you from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.5 seconds, while still having over 300 miles of range and a 155 MPH top speed.
“Despite the onslaught of new competitors, the Tesla Model Y is one of the most capable and well-rounded luxury electric SUVs that you can buy at the moment,” U.S. News writes. “If you’re in the market, this is an option that’s well-worth a test drive.”
I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.
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