EV Charger Installation: Tethered vs Untethered EV Charger Pros and Cons

The purchase of an electric vehicle includes decisions concerning charging your car; while an electric vehicle will save you money for years to come, keeping it charged regularly is essential for efficient use. You will become very familiar with every charging option available in your area, especially the rapid charging options. The type 1 charging option is much too slow for most drivers—up to 24 hours for a complete charge. However, a Type 2 home charger provides a much faster charge and will probably be a part of your charging solutions.

Type 2 home chargers also come with options—tethered and untethered. The basics are the same for both types of chargers. The charger connects directly to your home’s electrical supply, with a delivery outlet attached to the wall of your garage. What is the difference between a tethered and an untethered charger?

Tethered EV Charger Installation

A tethered charger delivery system extends a cord from the wall outlet to your vehicle, which can be both desirable and problematic.

• The delivery cord or tether is attached to the garage wall at a designated location, with a 12’ to 20’ long tether. You will always know where the cord is and where you need to park to use it.
• After use, the tether can be stored on a wall-mounted hanger to prevent damage and remove a tripping hazard.
• The tether is a part of the charger purchase, so it comes at no additional cost.

However, it is not always the best option.

• An attached tether with a given length limits the position of the vehicle for charging, and that cannot change without cost to the homeowner. A flexible choice might be desirable.
• If you forget to coil the tether, it can be damaged as you drive out of the garage, or worse, trip someone.
• If you are looking for a certain aesthetic, a coiled tether on the wall might not fit your style.

Untethered EV Charger Installation

An untethered charger delivery system also connects to your home’s electrical supply, with an outlet in the garage. The flush-mounted socket stops at the wall and the tether detaches from the wall when not being used. This could be a good EV home charging option when you desire:

• your garage to have a clean, unencumbered appearance. When not in use, the tether is stored in a bin somewhere, exposing only an attractive flat-paneled socket.
• to charge multiple vehicles in the garage, a longer tether or multiple tethers might be desired.
• flexible charging locations, as the same charging location is not always a desirable option.

However, it is not always the best option.

• Extra cables mean an extra cost.
• If the cable is not attached to the wall and is stored away, finding a place to store it (them) might be problematic.
• If you are not careful, you can misplace the tether and that would be very unfortunate and could lead to stretching your EV’s current charge to the milage limits to reach another charging option.

Choosing an EV vehicle is a major decision; after you decide on the make/model, you will learn to implement the technology successfully into your day-to-day driving habits. Having a choice for your type of EV charger will help determine how you will use the charger, and how successful the experience of owning an electric vehicle is for you.

Have Questions About EV Charger Installation?

With our four decades of experience as an Electrical Contractor, we specialize in EV Charger Installation, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to help answer your EV Charger Installation questions.

We have financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call our teams of Electricians at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your electrical repair, Home Generator installation, and electrical installation needs.