A charging cable is required to connect the electric car to the charging station.
With a mode 2 charging cable, electric cars can be connected to regular household sockets. They are often supplied from the manufacturer. The charging process is enabled by a control box between the vehicle and the plug. Charging at household sockets is only an emergency solution, as it takes a very long time and can involve risks such as cable fires.
Charging stations are faster and safer. For this you need a mode 3 charging cable, which connects the electric car directly to the charging pole or wallbox. An intermediate control box is not necessary as the car communicates directly with the charging station via the cable. Mode 3 charging cables are equipped with a type 2 plug and are therefore compatible with almost all public charging stations.