If you’ve just made the switch to a green machine, how to charge it will be your next consideration.
A home EV charge point is the easiest and cheapest way to keep your EV topped up, while also allowing you to keep to your normal routines – because it can charge overnight while you relax and sleep.
But what kind of charging cable is the best for the job – an untethered or tethered charger cable?
The experts at EV Cable Shop spill all in this one-stop guide to tethered and untethered charger cables.
What is the difference between a tethered and untethered EV charger cable?
Both EV charging cables, tethered and untethered, will allow you to recharge your EV and restore your range, keeping the commute environmentally friendly and fuss-free.
But how they attach to your domestic charge point is different and this offers a range of benefits that are worthy of consideration – to ensure you choose the right charging cable for your needs.
Put simply, a tethered EV charger is permanently attached to your charging unit – like a traditional petrol station pump. An untethered charger cable is kept loose and needs to be connected to the charging unit and the car to complete a charge.
Which EV charging cable is best for you?
To discern which style of EV cable is best for you, we can explore the benefits and limitations of each cable type in more detail – allowing you to make an informed decision about which is best for your electric car and your lifestyle.
Benefits and limitations of a tethered electric car charger
The main pros and cons for a tethered EV charger include:
- Increased convenience
Only having to plug in the charger to your car can save you precious time if you are looking to get in the house quickly at the end of the day.
On a bright sunny summer’s evening, this benefit can be negligible, but if you are battling the icy winds, rain, or even snow of winter – needing to plug in only one end can be much faster and a big relief!
- Theft protection and loss guarantee
Opting for a tethered car charger means that your EV cable will always be exactly where you left it – with a much smaller chance of it being lost or stolen by unscrupulous passers-by.
Tethered cables are unusable once stolen, as the cabling is embedded directly into the unit, meaning that removing it would render it useless unless the thief was trained to reconnect the cables again.
Similarly, if you are the type of person who often loses their keys, you can be sure that your cable is safe, at home, and ready for use when you need it next.
- Clean, tidy, and well-organised
If home aesthetics are your thing, a tethered charging cable is much easier to store neatly next to your domestic EV charging unit.
Depending on the length of your cable, you have a range of storage options that will keep it off the ground and within easy reach, which include:
- Coiling the cable around the charging unit
- Utilising a spring-retractable cable reel – which hides cables entirely
- Hanging on hooks and brackets to artfully arrange your cable
- Not designed for travel
Tethered EV cables are designed exclusively to be used at home, on your domestic charge point. This means that if you are looking to travel beyond the standard range of your electric car, you will also need to either invest in an untethered cable to carry with you or be prepared to use other tethered public charging units which can incur extra cost.
- Expensive if replaced
As the tethered car charger is connected to the charging unit, if you change or upgrade your EV and then use a different connection, i.e., moving from Type 1 to Type 2 or vice versa, you might need to purchase a new charging unit rather than just replacing the cable.
This will incur extra cost and time, meaning you will need to invest again in charging infrastructure before you can charge your new EV.
Benefits and limitations of an untethered charger
The pros and cons of an untethered EV charger include:
- Flexible use
Thanks to the fact that your unsocketed charging cable is not attached to your charging unit, you can use it anywhere, anytime you need to top up.
At home, at work, at a relative’s house, or even while on holiday travelling – you can simply plug in and recharge.
- Futureproof and replaceable
Unlike tethered cables which can mean both the cable and charging unit need to be replaced if you swap cars, untethered EV charging cables can simply be replaced by themselves if you upgrade.
This is much less expense and fuss – getting you out on the open road in your new wheels without delay.
This is also true if you move house and the distance to your charge point changes – you can simply replace your current cable with a longer or shorter untethered EV cable to overcome the difference.
- Open to all
If you host frequently and friends or family need to recharge during their visit, as long as their EV uses the same connector (i.e., Type 1 or Type 2) they can top up while socialising with you!
This is vastly preferable to the slow 3-pin plug chargers or having to go out and find a charge point in your local area – which can still be oversubscribed and busy.
- A longer plug-in
If arriving home in poor weather, prepare yourself for a longer plug-in routine before you can escape to the comfort of a hot bath or your favourite Netflix special on the sofa.
It could mean you get twice as wet, as you need to connect up double the amount of connection points to ensure a successful charge.
Find the best EV charging cables at EV Cable Shop
While which cable you opt for is ultimately up to you, it is worth noting that some EV owners choose to invest in both a tethered cable and charger unit for their domestic charging needs and an untethered EV cable to carry around with them – just in case of emergencies.
So, whether you are looking for the best untethered EV charger for sole use or would prefer to use both tethered and untethered cables, we can help.
To explore the full EV Cable Shop range, you can browse by cable type, car model, or even by your registration number. We’re also on hand to answer any questions you may have – so feel free to call on 01744 886 305 or email us at sales@evcableshop.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.
