Complete guide to UK home EV charger power requirements. 3.7kW vs 7kW vs 22kW chargers compared, single-phase vs three-phase power explained, consumer unit requirements, and DNO notification process.
Home EV Charger Power Requirements Explained UK 2025
Choosing the right power rating for your home EV charger is one of the most important decisions in your installation journey. Get it wrong, and you could face unnecessary costs, slow charging speeds, or electrical capacity issues. This comprehensive guide explains everything UK homeowners need to know about EV charger power requirements, from understanding kilowatts to navigating DNO notifications.
Understanding EV Charger Power Ratings
What Do kW Ratings Actually Mean?
EV chargers are rated in kilowatts (kW), which indicates how much electrical power they can deliver to your vehicle. The higher the kW rating, the faster your EV charges—but there's far more to consider than simply choosing the highest number.
Charging speed formula: Your EV's charging speed (in miles of range per hour) depends on:
- Charger power rating (kW)
- Your vehicle's onboard charger capacity
- Battery state of charge (charging slows as battery approaches 100%)
- Ambient temperature and battery temperature
Rough calculation: A 7kW charger typically adds 25-35 miles of range per hour for most modern EVs. This varies significantly between vehicle models due to different onboard charger efficiencies and battery sizes.
The Three Common UK Home Charger Power Ratings
3.7kW Chargers (Single-Phase, 16A)
Charging speed: 10-15 miles of range per hour Full charge time (60kWh battery): 16-18 hours
Advantages:
- Lower electrical demand on your home's supply
- Suitable for older properties with limited electrical capacity
- Cheaper installation in some cases (£600-£900)
- Adequate for low-mileage users or plug-in hybrids
Disadvantages:
- Very slow charging for larger EV batteries
- May not fully replenish high daily mileage overnight
- Becoming outdated as EV batteries increase in size
- Limited future-proofing as you may upgrade to larger EVs
Best for: Plug-in hybrid owners, second cars with minimal use, or properties with severely limited electrical capacity.
UK reality check: 3.7kW chargers are declining in popularity. Most UK installations now default to 7kW unless electrical capacity is genuinely limited. Even then, upgrading your consumer unit to accommodate 7kW is often preferable to accepting 3.7kW limitations.
7kW Chargers (Single-Phase, 32A) - UK Standard
Charging speed: 25-35 miles of range per hour Full charge time (60kWh battery): 8-10 hours
Advantages:
- Perfect balance of speed and electrical demand for UK homes
- Fully charges most EVs overnight within off-peak tariff windows
- Compatible with standard UK single-phase electricity supply
- Future-proof for most household needs
- Optimal for smart charging and tariff optimization
Disadvantages:
- Draws 32 amps continuously, requiring adequate home electrical capacity
- May require consumer unit upgrade in older properties
- Won't provide rapid charging if you need to charge quickly during the day
Best for: 95% of UK homeowners with standard single-phase electricity supply. This is the recommended sweet spot for domestic EV charging.
UK installation statistics: Approximately 90% of UK home charger installations are 7kW. It's the industry standard for excellent reasons—fast enough for practical overnight charging while compatible with typical domestic electrical supplies.
22kW Chargers (Three-Phase, 32A)
Charging speed: 60-70 miles of range per hour (if vehicle supports it) Full charge time (60kWh battery): 3-4 hours
Advantages:
- Rapid charging at home (3-4x faster than 7kW)
- Useful for high daily mileage (100+ miles per day)
- Beneficial for multiple EVs charging simultaneously
- Future-proof as more EVs may support three-phase charging
Disadvantages:
- Requires three-phase electricity supply (most UK homes have single-phase)
- Installing three-phase supply costs £5,000-£15,000
- Many EVs can't accept 22kW charging anyway (limited by onboard charger)
- Higher installation costs (£1,200-£2,000 for charger installation)
- Overkill for normal UK household usage patterns
Best for: Properties that already have three-phase supply (some rural homes, converted commercial buildings, new-build estates), high-mileage users (taxis, delivery drivers), or households with multiple EVs.
Critical limitation: Even if you install a 22kW charger, your EV may only charge at 7kW or 11kW due to its onboard charger limits. Check your vehicle's specifications before investing in three-phase installation.
Common UK vehicles and their AC charging limits:
- Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, Mini Electric: 7kW maximum (single-phase)
- Tesla Model 3/Y: 11kW maximum (three-phase)
- BMW iX, Mercedes EQS: 11kW maximum (three-phase)
- Audi e-tron, Porsche Taycan: 11-22kW (three-phase capable)
- MG ZS EV, Kia e-Niro: 7kW maximum (single-phase)
Single-Phase vs Three-Phase Power Explained
What UK Homes Typically Have
Single-phase supply (99% of UK homes):
- One live wire delivering 230V AC power
- Maximum current typically 60-100 amps (13.8-23kW available)
- Perfectly adequate for 7kW EV charging plus normal household usage
- Standard for all UK residential properties built before 2020
Three-phase supply (1% of UK homes):
- Three live wires each delivering 230V AC power
- Combined capacity of 180-300 amps (41-69kW available)
- Common in commercial premises, farms, and some rural properties
- Occasionally found in large detached homes or converted commercial buildings
How to Check Your Electricity Supply Type
Method 1: Check your main fuse Open your consumer unit (fuse box) and examine the main switch:
- Single-phase: One thick cable entering the main switch (plus neutral and earth)
- Three-phase: Three thick cables entering the main switch
Method 2: Count the wires from the meter
- Single-phase: Two large cables from meter to consumer unit (live and neutral)
- Three-phase: Four large cables from meter to consumer unit (three lives and neutral)
Method 3: Check your energy supplier Contact your electricity supplier and ask what type of supply you have. They'll confirm single or three-phase immediately.
WARNING: Never open the main service head (the sealed unit where the electricity enters your property from the street). This is the property of your DNO and only they can open it. Opening it is illegal and extremely dangerous.
Getting Three-Phase Installed (If You Really Need It)
If you determine you genuinely need three-phase supply:
Cost: £5,000-£15,000 depending on:
- Distance from nearest three-phase supply point
- Whether underground or overhead installation
- Any road crossings or difficult terrain
- DNO region (prices vary across UK DNO areas)
Timeline: 12-20 weeks from application to installation
Process:
- Apply to your DNO for three-phase supply upgrade
- DNO surveys your property and provides quotation
- Accept quote and pay (usually 100% upfront)
- DNO schedules installation
- DNO installs new service cable and meter
- Your electrician upgrades consumer unit for three-phase
- EV charger installation proceeds
Reality check: For 99% of UK homeowners, three-phase installation for EV charging alone is complete overkill. Even high-mileage drivers (20,000+ miles per year) can manage perfectly well with 7kW overnight charging. The £5,000-£15,000 cost would pay for decades of public rapid charging on the rare occasions you need faster charging.
UK Home Electrical Capacity Requirements
Assessing Your Current Capacity
Before installing a 7kW charger, your installer assesses whether your home's electrical system can accommodate the additional 32-amp load:
Main fuse rating: Check the number on your main fuse:
- 60A main fuse: Common in older UK homes (13.8kW total capacity)
- 80A main fuse: Standard in 1980s-2000s homes (18.4kW total capacity)
- 100A main fuse: Common in modern homes (23kW total capacity)
Available capacity calculation: Your typical household consumption (excluding EV) might be 20-30 amps during peak usage (cooker, kettle, heating, lights all on simultaneously). This leaves:
- 60A fuse: 30-40 amps available = tight but usually workable for 7kW (32A) charger
- 80A fuse: 50-60 amps available = comfortable for 7kW charger
- 100A fuse: 70-80 amps available = ample for 7kW charger, even multiple chargers
When You Need Load Management or Upgrades
Scenario 1: Borderline capacity (60A main fuse)
If you have a 60A main fuse and high household consumption, your installer may recommend:
Load-balancing chargers: Chargers like Zappi or Ohme can dynamically reduce charging rate when household demand is high, preventing overload. They monitor whole-house consumption and adjust EV charging in real-time.
Example: Your household is using 35 amps (cooker, shower, heating). A load-balancing charger will reduce from 32A to 25A temporarily, staying within your 60A limit. When household demand drops, charging returns to full 32A.
Cost: Load-balancing chargers cost £50-£150 more than basic chargers but avoid expensive supply upgrades.
Scenario 2: Insufficient capacity or outdated system
Sometimes, upgrading your consumer unit or main fuse is necessary:
Consumer unit upgrade (£400-£800): Replaces outdated fuse boxes with modern consumer units featuring:
- RCD protection on all circuits
- MCB circuit breakers (not rewirable fuses)
- Additional circuit capacity for EV charger
- Surge protection (recommended for EV chargers)
Main fuse upgrade (usually free, sometimes up to £200): Your DNO can upgrade your main fuse from 60A to 80A or 100A if:
- The existing service cable can handle higher current
- Local network capacity allows it
- You apply through your installer or directly to DNO
Most main fuse upgrades are free under DNO "fault repair" or "customer service" policies. The DNO assesses whether your service cable is adequate for higher rating and upgrades the fuse if safe to do so.
DNO Notification Requirements UK
What is DNO Notification and Why Is It Required?
DNO (Distribution Network Operator) notification is a legal requirement under the Electrical Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (ESQCR) for certain electrical installations that could impact the local electricity network.
For EV chargers, the rule is:
- Under 3.68kW (16A single-phase): No DNO notification required
- 3.68kW to 11.04kW (17A-48A single-phase or three-phase up to 16A per phase): DNO notification required via G100 application
- Over 11.04kW: More complex G99 application required
Practically speaking: All 7kW home chargers require DNO notification because they draw 32A (7.36kW), which exceeds the 3.68kW threshold.
The DNO Notification Process
Your installer handles this entire process—you don't need to do anything yourself:
Step 1: Installer submits G100 application Your installer completes a DNO notification form including:
- Property address and meter number
- Charger specification (7kW, 32A, single-phase)
- Installation date
- Installer credentials
Step 2: DNO reviews application (24-48 hours) The DNO checks:
- Local network capacity for additional load
- Whether approval is automatic or assessment needed
- Any local constraints or upgrade requirements
Step 3: Outcome
Automatic approval (95% of cases): DNO confirms installation can proceed. No delays, no additional costs.
Conditional approval (4% of cases): DNO approves but with conditions, such as:
- Limiting charging to off-peak hours (rarely enforced)
- Staged installation if multiple properties on same transformer apply simultaneously
Network assessment required (1% of cases): DNO needs to assess local transformer capacity. This adds 4-8 weeks to your timeline while DNO engineers survey the local network. If upgrades are needed, DNO funds them (not you), but delays of 3-6 months are possible in extreme cases.
Step 4: Installation proceeds Once DNO approval is received, installation goes ahead as normal.
DNO Regions and Their Notification Portals
The UK has 14 DNO regions:
England, Wales, and Scotland:
- WPD (Western Power Distribution): South West, South Wales, Midlands, East Midlands
- SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks): South England, North Scotland
- UKPN (UK Power Networks): London, South East, East England
- Electricity North West: North West England
- Northern Powergrid: North East England, Yorkshire
- SP Energy Networks: South Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire
Northern Ireland:
- NIE Networks: All of Northern Ireland (different regulations apply)
Each DNO has its own online portal for G100 applications, but your installer knows the process for your region.
What If You Don't Notify the DNO?
Failure to notify the DNO is:
- Illegal: Breach of ESQCR regulations
- Dangerous: Potential network overload or safety issues
- Invalidates insurance: Your home insurance may not cover claims related to non-compliant electrical work
- Affects property sale: Buyers' solicitors will request electrical certificates, and non-compliance is flagged
Reputable installers always handle DNO notification. If an installer suggests skipping this step to save time or money, find a different installer immediately. It's a major red flag indicating lack of professionalism and regulatory knowledge.
Consumer Unit Requirements for EV Chargers
What Your Consumer Unit Needs
Modern EV charger installations require your consumer unit (fuse box) to have:
1. RCD Protection Residual Current Device protection on the EV charger circuit. Most installers use:
- Type A RCD: Detects standard AC leakage currents
- Type B RCD (preferred): Detects DC leakage currents from EV charging
Type B RCDs cost £80-£150 more but provide superior protection for EV charging installations. Some chargers have built-in DC leakage protection, allowing use of cheaper Type A RCDs.
2. Dedicated 32A Circuit Breaker Your EV charger needs its own dedicated circuit breaker, separate from other household circuits. This allows:
- Safe isolation for maintenance
- Protection against overload
- Compliance with BS 7671 regulations
3. Adequate Physical Space Your consumer unit needs room for the additional RCD and circuit breaker. Older consumer units may be full, requiring:
- Replacement with larger consumer unit (£400-£800)
- Or secondary consumer unit specifically for EV charger (£250-£500)
4. Modern Standards Compliance Consumer units manufactured since 2016 must have:
- Non-combustible construction (metal casing)
- Surge protection capability
- Arc fault detection (newest standard)
Older consumer units can still be used if they meet BS 7671 standards, but expect replacement recommendations from conscientious installers.
When Consumer Unit Replacement Is Necessary
Your installer will recommend consumer unit replacement if:
- Rewirable fuses (not MCBs) are present
- No RCD protection exists on any circuits
- Over 25 years old with deteriorating components
- Insufficient space for additional circuits
- Plastic construction (pre-2016 units)
- Asbestos-containing (very old installations)
Cost: £400-£800 for consumer unit replacement, including:
- New consumer unit with RCD protection on all circuits
- All circuit breakers and labelling
- Testing and certification
- Typically 4-6 hours labour
Insurance claims: If your consumer unit is very old (30+ years), its replacement might be claimable under home insurance as an "essential upgrade to meet current regulations." Check with your insurer before paying privately.
Planning for Future Needs
Second EV Charger Considerations
As UK households increasingly own multiple EVs, planning for future expansion is wise:
Option 1: Install two chargers now Cost: £1,500-£2,400 for two 7kW chargers with load management
Load management system essential: Two 7kW chargers (64A combined) exceed most domestic capacity. Load management systems dynamically allocate available power between chargers:
- If both cars charging simultaneously: 16A each (3.7kW)
- If one car charging: 32A (7kW)
- Adjusts based on household consumption
Option 2: Prepare infrastructure, add second charger later
- Install conduit with pull cord to second parking space
- Ensure consumer unit has space for second circuit
- Cost now: £100-£200 for future-proofing
- Add second charger later: £700-£1,000
Option 3: Dual-socket chargers Chargers like the Andersen A2 offer two Type 2 sockets sharing one circuit:
- Only one vehicle can charge at full rate at a time
- Second vehicle charges at reduced rate or queues
- Cost: £1,200-£1,600
- Good compromise for households with different charging patterns
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Preparation
V2G technology allows EVs to discharge stored energy back to the grid or your home during peak demand, potentially earning revenue:
Current UK status: Limited V2G deployments, mainly trials with Nissan Leaf (CHAdeMO connector) and Octopus Energy.
Future outlook: V2G will expand as:
- More EVs support bidirectional charging (CCS V2G standard in development)
- Grid regulation changes to allow residential V2G
- Energy companies develop V2G tariffs
Future-proofing your installation:
- Install conduit with spare capacity for potential V2G charger upgrades
- Ensure consumer unit has capacity for bidirectional charging circuits
- Monitor V2G developments—don't invest in V2G-ready chargers yet (premium of £500-£1,000 for unproven technology)
Real-World Installation Examples
Example 1: Typical Semi-Detached House, 80A Main Fuse
Property: 1990s semi-detached, single-phase, 80A main fuse, modern consumer unit
EV: Tesla Model 3 (11kW onboard charger, but can only use 7kW on single-phase)
Recommendation: 7kW tethered charger (Wallbox Pulsar Plus)
Installation: Straightforward—consumer unit has space, electrical capacity adequate, standard wall mounting on front of house 2 metres from parking space
Costs:
- Charger and installation: £850
- DNO notification: Included
- No additional electrical work required
- Total: £850
Timeline: 3 weeks from quote to completion
Example 2: Older Terraced House, 60A Main Fuse, Old Consumer Unit
Property: 1960s terraced house, single-phase, 60A main fuse, consumer unit with rewirable fuses
EV: Nissan Leaf (6.6kW onboard charger)
Recommendation: 7kW untethered charger with load management (Zappi v2)
Installation: Required consumer unit upgrade to modern RCD-protected unit before EV charger installation. Load management essential due to 60A main fuse limitation.
Costs:
- Consumer unit replacement: £650
- Zappi v2 charger and installation: £1,000
- DNO notification: Included
- Total: £1,650
Timeline: 5 weeks (consumer unit upgrade delayed installation by 2 weeks)
Example 3: Rural Detached House, Three-Phase Supply
Property: Converted barn, already has three-phase supply (agricultural use), 100A per phase
EV: Audi e-tron (11kW onboard charger, three-phase capable)
Recommendation: 11kW three-phase charger (Wallbox Commander 2)
Installation: Charger installed in detached garage 15 metres from main house, requiring armoured cable underground run.
Costs:
- 11kW three-phase charger: £1,100
- Underground cable installation (15m): £450
- Three-phase consumer unit upgrade in garage: £600
- DNO notification: Included
- Total: £2,150
Timeline: 6 weeks (DNO required conditional approval due to three-phase notification)
Result: Charges Audi e-tron from 20% to 80% in 3.5 hours (compared to 5-6 hours with 7kW charger). Worth it given existing three-phase supply, but wouldn't justify installing three-phase supply solely for EV charging.
Cost Summary and Recommendations
Standard Installation Costs by Power Rating
3.7kW charger:
- Installation: £600-£900
- Running costs: Same as higher power chargers (just slower)
- Recommendation: Only if electrical capacity severely limited
7kW charger (RECOMMENDED):
- Installation: £800-£1,200
- Running costs: £200/year (10,000 miles on smart tariff at 7p/kWh)
- Recommendation: Ideal for 95% of UK homes
11kW three-phase charger:
- Installation: £1,200-£1,800 (if you already have three-phase)
- Three-phase supply installation: +£5,000-£15,000 (if you don't)
- Running costs: Same per kWh, just faster charging
- Recommendation: Only if you already have three-phase supply
22kW three-phase charger:
- Installation: £1,500-£2,500 (if you already have three-phase)
- Running costs: Same per kWh, just faster charging
- Recommendation: Rarely needed for domestic use; most EVs can't utilize full 22kW anyway
My Professional Recommendation for Most UK Homeowners
Go with 7kW single-phase unless you have very specific circumstances:
7kW is perfect because:
- Charges 60kWh EV battery fully overnight (8-10 hours)
- Works within UK domestic electrical capacity
- Compatible with all UK EV models
- Optimal for smart tariff savings
- Future-proof for most household needs
- Industry standard with maximum installer experience
Only choose different if:
- 3.7kW: Your property genuinely cannot support 7kW (very rare)
- 11-22kW: You already have three-phase supply AND regularly drive 150+ miles per day
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade from 3.7kW to 7kW later?
Yes, but it's not a simple charger swap. Upgrading from 3.7kW to 7kW requires:
Electrical work:
- New 32A circuit from consumer unit (the old 16A circuit can't handle 7kW)
- Potentially RCD upgrade if current one is inadequate
- New DNO notification (if previous installation didn't require one)
Cost: £400-£700 for electrical work, plus cost of new 7kW charger (£500-£800)
Total: £900-£1,500—similar to installing 7kW from scratch
Recommendation: If there's any chance you'll want faster charging later, install 7kW now. The incremental cost (£200-£400) is far less than upgrading later.
Do I really need DNO notification for a 7kW charger?
Yes, absolutely. DNO notification for installations over 3.68kW is a legal requirement under ESQCR regulations. It's not optional.
Why it matters:
- Network safety: Prevents local transformer overload
- Legal compliance: Required by law, not guidelines
- Insurance validity: Non-compliant work voids home insurance electrical coverage
- Property sale: Buyers' solicitors will check for proper certification
Reputable installers always handle DNO notification as standard. There's no additional charge—it's included in professional installations. If an installer suggests skipping this, find someone else immediately.
My house is old—can I still have a 7kW charger?
Yes, with possible electrical upgrades. Older properties often need:
Consumer unit replacement (£400-£800): If you have:
- Rewirable fuses instead of MCBs
- No RCD protection
- Asbestos-containing fuse boards
- Units over 30 years old
Main fuse upgrade (usually free): If you have a 60A main fuse, your DNO may upgrade to 80A or 100A at no cost, provided your service cable can handle it.
Re-wiring (rare, £3,000-£8,000): Only required if:
- Wiring doesn't meet current regulations
- Insufficient earth bonding
- Aluminum wiring (1960s-1970s hazard)
Most older UK homes can support 7kW chargers with minor upgrades (consumer unit). A proper pre-installation survey identifies exactly what's needed and costs involved.
What if my main fuse is only 60A?
60A is tight but usually workable for a 7kW charger (32A). Options:
Option 1: Load management charger (recommended) Chargers like Zappi or Ohme monitor whole-house consumption and reduce EV charging rate when household demand is high. This prevents exceeding your 60A limit while still providing 7kW charging when capacity allows.
Extra cost: £50-£150 over basic chargers
Option 2: Request free DNO main fuse upgrade to 80A Your installer can apply to the DNO for a fuse upgrade. If your existing service cable supports it (most do), the DNO upgrades your main fuse for free.
Timeline: Adds 2-4 weeks to installation process
Option 3: Install 3.7kW charger instead Less ideal but functional if electrical upgrades aren't feasible.
My recommendation: Try option 2 first (free upgrade to 80A), then option 1 (load management) if upgrade isn't approved. Option 3 (3.7kW) should be last resort.
Can I charge my EV while using other high-power appliances?
With a 7kW charger (32A) on an 80A or 100A main fuse, yes—you'll have 48-68A remaining capacity for household use. That's sufficient for:
- Electric cooker (30-40A)
- Electric shower (30-50A, but unlikely to run simultaneously with cooker)
- Washing machine, dishwasher, heating, lights, etc. (combined 15-25A)
Practical reality: UK homes rarely exceed 40-50A total consumption even during peak usage. A 7kW charger adds 32A to this, giving total potential demand of 72-82A.
If you have an 80A or 100A main fuse, simultaneous usage is fine. If you have 60A, a load-balancing charger prevents issues by temporarily reducing charging when household demand spikes.
Smart charging advantage: Most smart chargers schedule charging overnight (11pm-7am) when household consumption is minimal (5-15A). You're rarely running the cooker, shower, and washing machine at 2am, so the EV charging has most of your electrical capacity available.
How do I know if I need three-phase power?
You almost certainly don't need three-phase for domestic EV charging. Consider three-phase only if:
You already have three-phase supply (check your consumer unit—you'll see three main cables instead of one), AND:
- You regularly drive 150+ miles per day requiring rapid daytime charging
- You have multiple EVs charging simultaneously
- Your vehicle supports 11kW or 22kW three-phase AC charging
Don't install three-phase supply if:
- It costs £5,000+ to get three-phase installed
- You can manage with overnight 7kW charging (most people can)
- Your vehicle only supports 7kW charging anyway (common)
Better alternatives to three-phase installation:
- Public rapid charging for occasional long journeys (£30-£50 per rapid charge)
- Destination charging at workplaces or supermarkets
- Two 7kW home chargers with load management (for multi-EV households)
The £5,000-£15,000 cost of three-phase supply installation would fund years of public rapid charging for those rare occasions you need faster charging. It's almost never justified purely for EV charging.
What happens during a power cut?
Your EV charger stops charging immediately when mains power fails, just like all other electrical appliances:
Safety features:
- Charging stops instantly to prevent electrical hazards
- Your vehicle's battery retains all charge accumulated before the power cut
- When power restores, most smart chargers automatically resume charging
- Some chargers require manual restart after power restoration
Your vehicle's battery:
- Is unaffected by power cuts (it's isolated from the grid)
- Cannot provide power to your home (unless you have V2H/Vehicle-to-Home capability, rare in UK)
- Retains charge indefinitely (EVs lose only 1-3% charge per week when parked)
Power cut preparedness:
- Ensure your EV is charged before predicted storms/outages
- Most UK power cuts last under 2 hours (insufficient to impact your plans)
- If power cuts are frequent, consider scheduling charging to complete earlier in the night
Future V2H potential: Vehicle-to-Home technology (in development) would allow your EV to power your home during outages, but this requires specialized bidirectional chargers and compatible vehicles. Not yet available for most UK homeowners.
Should I get a tethered or untethered charger?
This depends on your usage patterns and flexibility needs:
Tethered chargers (integrated cable, typically 5-7.5m):
Choose tethered if:
- You have one EV and don't plan to change brands soon
- You value convenience (always ready to plug in)
- You dislike storing charging cables in your car
- You prefer neater appearance with cable management hooks
Avoid tethered if:
- You have multiple EVs (different charging needs)
- You frequently use public chargers (need your own cable anyway)
- You might switch to a vehicle with different plug type (Tesla → CCS transition)
Untethered chargers (Type 2 socket, use your vehicle's cable):
Choose untethered if:
- You have multiple EVs with different charging needs
- You want maximum flexibility
- You already carry your charging cable for public chargers
- You're unsure about future vehicle choices
Avoid untethered if:
- You value maximum convenience
- You're committed to one EV long-term
- You dislike retrieving cable from boot every time
Cost difference: Minimal (£0-£100). Both options are widely available.
My recommendation: Tethered for most single-EV households. Untethered for multi-EV households or those who regularly use public chargers (where you need your own cable regardless).