The number of electric vehicles has increased tremendously within the past few years, along with needing more places to charge them. There will be even more EVs, thus creating even more need to charge them, so you will need to purchase (and use) at least one Charger for your electric vehicle (EV Charger) in the near future (if you haven’t done so already). A common type of charger is a Tethered EV Charger (or, a charger that has a cord attached to it). This article will explain everything you need to know about Tethered EV Chargers, their advantages and our top recommendations, as well as the differences between Tethered and Untethered, to allow you to make an informed decision as to which type (if either) suited your particular needs better than the other.
A Tethered Electric Vehicle Charger is defined as an EV charger that has a cable permanently attached to it and that is immediately ready to use when plugging in to charge your EV, as it already has the connector for your EV when plugged into the charger. With an untethered type EV charger, you will be able to use any cord you want to charge your EV. An untethered charger does not have a physical link between your charging unit (i.e., the EV) and the charger. At the same time, a tethered charger connects to your EV through a permanent cable between the charger and the vehicle which makes it easier for you to charge your vehicle as it will always supply the cable that is used to power your vehicle from the charger.
You can have confidence in knowing that you will have the right cable and connector to charge your vehicle if you do not need to carry additional charging cables (or buy them). Over the last few years, tethered chargers have been becoming increasingly popular compared to untethered chargers due to the ease of use and quick home charging benefits they have.
When you buy an electric vehicle (EV) charging station, many customers always wonder, “Should I get a tethered or untethered EV charging solution?” In this section, we will look at the main differences between the two types of EV chargers to help you decide what solution will be best for you.
Ease of Use
When charging your EV using a tethered EV charger, you have a cable supplied with the charging station. This means less effort before being able to charge because you do not have to search for, buy, and carry around a separate EV charge cable, as opposed to using an independent, longer charging cable to charge your EV.
Options
Generally, there are significantly more options available in an untethered EV charger than in a tethered EV charger. So if you have lots of different EVs that use many different connectors, or you plan to add an EV in the future that uses a different connector, you should have no trouble locating an EV charging cable for your EV at any chargepoint. The kind of charger you will run across at charging stations tends to have a cord attached to the unit, and most of these cords are incompatible with some drivers’ vehicles.
Looks & Maintenance
A lot of people do not find a tethered charger attractive since they have cords hanging off of them when not plugged in, but many of the manufacturers of this next generation charger have come up with ways to organize cords on the chargers as being used (Cable Management Systems). Conversely, an untethered charging system does not have cords hanging off of it; therefore, it looks more visually appealing than a tethered charger. However, if the consumer uses an untethered charger, it is up to him or her to find a way to keep the cord tidy and out of the way.
Theft
Since an untethered charging system has removable charging cables, the removable cords leave these systems more subject to being stolen. However, there are manufacturers that build anti-theft devices (locking mechanisms) into their systems. Additionally, since the cables are permanently attached to the charger, tethered chargers protect against theft by securing the cable to the charger.
When it comes to choosing tethered or untethered type EV charging system, you should consider your own preferences regarding style or looks; your vehicle; and what you anticipate the usage to be for the next couple of years.
Potential benefits and advantages of using a tethered EV charger include:
1. Convenience: You don’t have to go hunting for a separate cable and plug it in; simply plug the cable attached to the charger into your vehicle.
2. Weather-resistant: Most tethered chargers are built to be used outdoor and therefore can be used in inclement weather.
3. Time-saving: Having a tethered charger with an attached cable means you have the ability to charge your Electric Vehicle (EV) on a daily basis.
4. Safety & Reliability: Tethered chargers have a plug-and-play nature that make it easily safe to charge your Electric Vehicle (EV), providing assurance that whenever you plug your EV into the charger, the cable and connectors will be compatible with your EV.
1. Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 4): This is the latest charging station from Tesla, continuing to lead the way since launch, with 48 amps of power, built-in Wi-Fi, and gorgeous styling. “In my opinion, it’s the very best charger for Tesla because it has such a fast charge rate and is a very reliable charging station!”, say experts!
2. MyEnergi Zappi V3: The latest version of MyEnergi’s Zappi enjoys a green ethos allowing it to charge using renewable energy and/or solar panels. The Zappi can offer up to 22kW at maximum load, as well as offering intelligent controls.
3. Hypervolt Home 3.0: With a total redesign to allow better integration into a multitude of different smart home devices, the Hypervolt itself is known to possess updated functionality and user-friendly features.
4. Wallbox Pulsar Plus 2025 Edition: Upgraded to introduce Bluetooth and Wi-FI connectivity, as well as the option to deliver up to 22kW of charging power, this by-power charger means you can charge a couple of EVs simultaneously.
5. Easee Home Charger: If you’re after a neat charger with a stunning aesthetic, try this! Offering dynamic load balancing, this auto charge can also offer an upper limit of 22kW of charging power for any one EV.
There are some key considerations when you purchase a tethered electric vehicle charging unit, namely:
Power Output: You will want the charging power available on your electric vehicle to match what the tethered charging unit has been rated for when in use. For example, if your vehicle can accept 22kW of AC charging, your best charger will have a 22kW AC output.
Compatibility: First thing to check is whether the cables being used by the charging unit and your EV’s standard type connector interface correctly. The connectors themselves will either be Type 1 or Type 2.
Smart Features: A friendly invitation to seek smart features to assist you in your charge such as control of your charger via a smartphone app, monitoring of energy use, and/or scheduling charging for a set time.
Installation: Check whether or not your present electrical service can accommodate the charger before installation. You may like to contact a certified electrician. Installation may be simplified by contacting your electrician before purchase.
Budget: You might be surprised just how much the price of chargers may vary based on the features that come with them, but find a charger happily within your budgetary restrictions.
A tethered EV charging station has a cord that connects to the charging station and is part of its assembly. This makes it easy to charge your electric vehicle as all you need to do is plug the attached cord into the charging plug in your vehicle.
The major difference making the difference between tethered and untethered EV chargers is that the tethered chargers come with a cord as a part of the charger itself while the untethered requires bringing a suitable cord of your own design.
Depends a lot on your preference and needs. While the tethered charger provides convenience alongside the ease of use of something like charging your phone, a downside is that it may not be flexible enough to allow for the use of more than one style of connector. The downside of the untethered option is that you may have to supply your own power cable.
Yes, although you’ll want to be sure with your installation that the charger you have chosen can withstand whatever weather conditions exist in your area. Check the IP rating on the specific EV charger you are buying.
Most tethered EV chargers have cable lengths from 5 to 10 meters in length, so choose the length that serves the distance between your electrical outlet and where you normally park your vehicle.
In summary, a tethered EV charging system represents a lot of conveniences and efficiencies for domestic use by providing the charging cable, which is attached permanently to the charging station. There will be no need for extra accessories to charge your electric (EV)! The arrival of many fine tethered EV chargers as of 2025, you may find yourself making a seamless transition to a tethered EV charging solution and getting all the benefits of having an electric vehicle!
Xinya Dongfang Electricity Technology Co., Ltd.
