Which is the Best EV Charger- Tethered or Untethered?
Best Home EV Charger- Tethered or Untethered: What’s the Difference?
The terminology can sound confusing if you are new to the EV charging arena however it simply refers to how the charging lead attaches to the EV charge point either fixed (tethered) or not fixed (untethered)
As an electric vehicle owner it is important to understand the differences when it comes to tethered or untethered charge-points to ensure you opt for the best charger to suits your needs.
Best EV Charger- Tethered Chargers Explained
A tethered charge point is installed with a pre-fitted cable that cannot be removed and because of this it tends to be larger than an untethered charger as the cable is stored alongside the charge point.
The charging cable that comes fixed to a tethered charge point will typically be a Type 2 connector (the standard for Europe), so you should be able to plug in and charge your EV without having to find and connect a different cable (with a Type 1 connector).
This could be the best home EV charger for you if you want a quick and secure option and the size of the charger is not your main consideration.
Tethered EV Charger- Pro’s & Con’s
Pro’s
Quick & Simple- no need to locate and attach cable before charging
Secure- A cable that is tethered to your charger is harder to loose or be stolen
Con’s
Fixed lead length- if you decide you want to change your charging lead e.g. to a longer lead you’ll have to replace the whole EV charge point
Larger Unit- tethered chargers take up more space than a charger without a fixed cable
Price – The addition of the cable means tethered chargers cost more than untethered chargers.
Best EV Charger- Untethered Chargers Explained
An untethered EV charge point has no attached cable instead there is a socket to attach your own charging cable to charge your EV.
An untethered charger is also sometimes also referred to as a universal charger because it has a socket which allows you to plug in cables with different types of connectors.
This could be the best home EV charger for you if a sleek and small charging unit is your main priority and cost is not your main consideration,
Untethered EV Charger- Points Pro’s & Con’s
Pro’s
Sleek, minimalist look – No fixed cable means an untethered charger takes up less space, allowing for a sleeker design.
Price– Untethered chargers tend to cost less as you don’t have to pay for the cable.
Flexibility– You’re free to change your cable and connector without having to replace the entire charger.
Con’s
Can be less convenient- As you need to locate and attach your cable before charging
Can be less secure- As your charging cable could in effect be unplugged and/or removed/stolen
So Which is the Best EV Charger: Tethered or Untethered models?
When it comes to making the choice between tethered or untethered charge points the decision really comes down to your personal preference. As discussed above both options are equally as functional and reliable. Understanding which option suits your lifestyle and needs best is key to choosing which is the best home EV charger option for you. If you live in a rented or owned flat or any rented property there may also be government grant opportunites available to you. Find out more here If you live in a rented property you will need your landlords permission to install an EV charge point.
How can E-Verve Energy Help?
E-Verve Energy can provide you with expert electric vehicle charging information and have over 10 years of experience in the energy efficiency industry. Named Most Trusted Renewable Energy Provider 2024 and with over 20,000 renewable energy installations undertaken to date you are in safe hands with Team E-Verve! We are fully independent EV charge point experts and have used our vast industry knowledge and experience to specially select the best electric charging points for our customers. Our recommended electric vehicle charging points have been selected for their reliability, compliance and smart functionality such as load management protecting your properties main fuse from overload and solar panel interaction. In short we’ve done the HOMEWORK so you can make your HOUSE WORK- selecting the best EV options on the market using our industry leading knowledge! We offer an instant online tailored quote for all our EV customers using our 4 Step EASY EV Charging tool with the option to complete your purchase online Shop EV Chargers. In addition all our EV customers benefit from from the following:
To find out more about how E-Verve Energy can help you with your electric vehicle charging requirements visit our dedicated EV Home Charging page to review our recommended electric charging points and build your instant quote!