Tethered vs untethered EV charger: which do you need?

What is the difference?

Both charge your car at the same speed: the choice is purely about where the cable lives.

• Tethered charger: the cable is permanently attached to the unit. You pull the cable from the holster on the charger, plug into the car, and charge. When you're done, you coil the cable back onto the holster.
• Untethered (socketed) charger: the charger has a Type 2 socket built in but no cable. You bring your own charging cable, connect one end to the charger and the other to the car, charge, then store the cable yourself.

Both types are available from every major brand: Zappi, Pod Point, Ohme, Hypervolt, and Andersen all offer both. The hardware inside is identical. The difference is entirely about the cable.

Which is better for a home?

For most home drivers with a single car, a tethered charger is the better choice. The main reasons:

• It is more convenient. The cable is always there, always at the right length for your driveway. Coming home late, in the rain, you grab the cable and plug in. There is no cable to find, unroll, store, or accidentally leave at a hotel.
• The cable is weatherproofed as part of the unit. Cables stored in boot bags or on garage shelves degrade faster. A tethered cable is UV-resistant, rated for outdoor use, and coiled off the ground.
• The holster keeps the cable tidy. Untethered setups require you to store a 5–8 metre cable somewhere. Many drivers end up with it on a shelf or looped through a hook, which is less than ideal.

When does untethered make sense?

There are three situations where an untethered charger is a reasonable choice:

• You have more than one car with different connector types. If you have a Type 2 car and a CCS car (or a car with a proprietary connector), an untethered charger with a Type 2 socket lets you use different cables for each vehicle. A tethered charger has one cable type, fixed.
• You want to future-proof against connector changes. Type 2 is the current UK and European standard for AC home charging and is unlikely to change soon. But if you want flexibility for a different connector in future, untethered keeps your options open.
• You regularly charge different visitors' cars at home. If your property is a holiday let, or you share a charger with others who bring different cars, an untethered charger with a Type 2 socket and separate cables for each type covers more vehicles.

Does it affect charging speed?

No. A tethered and an untethered charger from the same model range charge at exactly the same rate. A 7kW tethered charger and a 7kW untethered charger both deliver 7kW. The cable does not limit speed: the car's on-board charger and the charger unit's output both determine speed, not whether the cable is attached.

The only exception: if you buy a cheap aftermarket cable for an untethered charger that is rated below the charger's output, the cable becomes the limiting factor. Use a cable rated to match the charger: typically 32A for a 7kW unit.

Does it affect the OZEV grant?

No. Both tethered and untethered chargers are eligible for the OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant as long as the model is on the OZEV approved list. The grant pays 75% of supply and installation costs up to £500, regardless of charger type. The cable itself is not covered by the grant: it is considered a separate accessory when supplied separately on untethered models.

Does it affect the cost?

Very little. Tethered chargers sometimes cost £50–£100 more than the equivalent untethered model, as the cable is included. Untethered chargers require you to buy a cable separately, which typically costs £50–£150 depending on length and rating. On balance, the total outlay is similar.

Installation cost is identical. The installer's time and cable run from the fuse board to the unit is the same regardless of charger type.

What do installers recommend?

Most OZEV-authorised installers recommend tethered chargers for single-car households with private driveways. The convenience advantage is real and the cost difference is negligible. Untethered comes up most often for multi-vehicle households and commercial or shared installations.

Common questions