EV charging - Tethered or Untethered?

Tethered vs Untethered EV Charge Points: What’s the Difference?

As electric vehicle ownership becomes more common, installing a home EV charge point is an essential step. One of the key choices you’ll face when selecting a charger is whether to go tethered or untethered. Understanding the difference can help you make the best decision for your home, vehicle, and charging habits.

What’s the Difference?

Tethered Charge Points

A tethered EV charger has a charging cable permanently attached to the unit, much like a traditional petrol pump. When you want to charge your car, you simply grab the cable from the charger and plug it into your EV.

Untethered Charge Points

An untethered charger, on the other hand, does not come with a fixed cable. Instead, you use your own Type 1 or Type 2 cable (depending on your car), which you plug into both the charger and the vehicle.

Pros and Cons:

Tethered Chargers

Pros:

• Convenience: Just grab and plug. No need to fetch your cable each time you charge.

• Speed of use: Great for daily drivers who want fast, hassle-free charging.

• Cleaner setup: Cable management is usually built into the unit.

Cons:

• Limited compatibility: You’re stuck with the cable type it comes with (usually Type 1 or Type 2, all modern cars are Type 2 in Europe and the UK).

• Less flexibility: If you change cars or someone visits and the charging port is in a different location the hardwired lead may not reach to plug in.

• Aesthetics: Some homeowners find the permanently visible cable less tidy.

Untethered Chargers

Pros:

• Flexible: Works with any vehicle that supports the charger type—as long as you have the right cable.

• Future-proof: Easier to switch vehicles or accommodate guests with different charging layouts.

• Neat look: No dangling cable when not in use; often smaller and more discreet on the wall.

Cons:

• Slightly less convenient: You need to retrieve and plug in your cable every time.

• Easy to forget or misplace cable: If you keep the charging cable in your car and forget it, you’re out of luck.

• Extra cost (sometimes): Some chargers and vehicles are sold without a cable, meaning you may need to buy one separately.

Which One Should You Choose?

• Go tethered if:
  You want maximum convenience, you only charge one EV at home, and it’s always the same vehicle with the same charge port location.

• Go untethered if:
  You like a cleaner wall look, might change cars in the near future, or want the want the flexibility to charge different EVs.

Final Thoughts

There’s no right or wrong answer—just the best choice for your lifestyle and future needs. If you value convenience above all, tethered might be best. If you prioritise flexibility or minimal visual clutter, untethered could be the way to go.

Whichever you choose, installing a home EV charger is essential for hassle free EV driving. We have a selection of the best tried and tested chargers on the market for you to choose from both tethered and untethered, available to order now with expert installation from just £750