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AR Many electric vehicle owners install an EV charger at home to facilitate home charging. Charging point operators also consider investing in EV chargers in high-traffic areas to make money.
Whether it’s private homeowners or business operators, installing reliable charge points requires evaluating options. Two prominent choices include tethered and untethered EV chargers. Both types can replenish battery power but diverge in equipment design.
Understanding which one is better for you determines long-term charging convenience and experience. The following compares key tethered vs. untethered EV charger criteria to help you make a proper decision!
Tethered EV Chargers
In order to understand the difference between tethered and untethered EV chargers, you need to know what they involve, the pros and cons, etc. Here is a brief introduction to tethered electric vehicle chargers:
1. What is a Tethered EV Charger?
A tethered EV charger has a power cable attached to the EV charging station. When in use, the cable retracts from or extends out of the unit. It delivers electricity directly from the power outlet to the EV. There are no separate components required.
Therefore, you do not need to carry and store additional cables, but their price is generally higher than that of untethered EV chargers.
2. Pros of Tethered EV Chargers
Regarding the tethered vs. untethered EV charger comparison, there are many pros to tethered EV chargers:
A. Easy to Install and Use
Installation doesn’t require much effort, as the entire charging system comes pre-assembled. This “plug-and-play” feature is very convenient. Users only need to connect the charging cable to the vehicle’s charging interface to start charging without the need to prepare a separate cable.
B. Thief-proof
Since the power cable remains permanently affixed, it’s not possible to be taken away with an EV while still connected to the charger. This acts as a good anti-theft measure, ideal for residences and small lot parking areas seeking extra security.
C. Suitable for Residential Use
As space may be limited in homes with attached garages or carports, tethered EV chargers don’t need much room to store separate charging guns. The all-in-one build is a huge advantage when it comes to tethered vs. untethered EV chargers. It fits well into tight residential charging setups with limited footprints.
3. Cons of Tethered EV Chargers
While convenient with an integrated design, the fixed cabling presents certain drawbacks, especially in terms of tethered vs. untethered EV chargers. These include the following:
A. Limited Cable Length
The restricted cable length can obstruct charging an EV parked farther away or at an angle. This reduces convenient charging options if vehicles are not consistently parked at the same spot near the charger.
B. Need to Manage Cables
To avoid cable tangling or damage over time, you need to carefully manage the cables when not in use. This adds an extra chore, especially in the EV charger tethered or untethered comparison, as untethered versions have cables that auto-retract.
Untethered EV Chargers
In terms of tethered vs. untethered EV chargers, untethered electric vehicle chargers detach the power cable from the main charging unit. They highlight the untether meaning. However, the charging process involves more steps, including connecting and disconnecting the cable.
1. What is an Untethered EV Charger?
An untethered EV charger has a separate power cable, or “charging gun.” The charging cable can be stored in your home or vehicle. When needed, the user connects this separate power cable to the EV charging point. You can use the charging cables provided by the car manufacturer or purchase the cables yourself.
2. Pros of Untethered EV Chargers
Untethered chargers unlock important benefits, especially in the tethered vs. untethered EV charger comparison. The pros include:
A. Higher Flexibility and Convenience
Detachable cables allow convenient charging from any spot, not just fixed positions. For example, you can connect your own charging cable to a public charger while traveling. Users face fewer limitations in optimizing their preferred parking arrangement and flow.
B. Reduce the Mess and Damage to Cables
Storing cables prevents excess coiling, kinks, or wear, like in tethered setups. In the tethered vs. untethered EV charger comparison, untethered models are more well-organized. They make it simpler and neater without trailing cables.
C. More Aesthetical
Due to the lack of tangled cables, a separate EV charger creates cleaner and neater aesthetics. Such charging installations are sought after in many public places.
D. Future-proof Choices
If you need to replace your electric vehicle, need a longer or shorter charging cable, or replace worn-out cables in the future, you don’t need to purchase a new electric vehicle charger, like using a tethered charger. This helps you greatly save on future investments.
E. Suitable for Public and Commercial Uses
The detachable design supports on-street charging in densely populated areas for different vehicle models. It also meets flexible commercial fleet charging wherever parking arrangements shift daily.
3. Cons of Untethered EV Chargers
While untethered chargers unlock some key benefits, their detachable designs have some cons that highlight the tethered vs. untethered EV charger difference. The cons include:
A. Additional Equipment is Required
The need for a separate charging gun expands the initial investment beyond the station alone. You need space to store this accessory when not in use to prevent it from being damaged.
Moreover, if you forget to bring the charging cables, you can’t use the EV charger.
B. Each Charging Requires Connecting and Disconnecting Cables
You face more manual labor in attaching and detaching cables for every charging instance. While a minor effort, it will take more time compared to tethered EV chargers.
Should I Choose Tethered EV Chargers or Untethered EV Chargers?
Making a tethered vs. untethered EV charger selection requires weighing important situation-specific factors. Key amongst them are convenience priorities and the physical constraints of the charging location.
Tethered units prove most practical when drivers park consistently within cable reach. However, variable parking arrangements necessitate the charging flexibility of the untethered models. Existing infrastructure, like available charging cables, also impacts the choice between tethered or untethered chargers. You can choose an untethered EV charger in this situation.
Apart from these, aesthetic preferences must be considered in terms of tethered vs. untethered chargers, particularly for commercial fleet charging. While tethered designs integrate neatly, untethered options afford cable-free neatness, which is preferred in many public areas. Lastly, budget matters too when it comes to the tethered or untethered charger decision. Untethered chargers are more budget-friendly.
EVB Charger Offers Both Tethered and Untethered EV Chargers
As a leading EV charging solution provider, EVB Charger recognizes the significance of the EV charger tethered or untethered decision. With versatile products to suit all scenarios, we cover the needs of EV owners.
Our 22kW Type 2 AC EV Charger exemplifies a reliable tethered option for homes, offices, and fleets. Its charging cable provides a standard 6-meter length and supports customization for specific needs. Meanwhile, our Dual Socket AC EV Charger that needs separate charging guns meets the needs of drivers seeking untethered mobility. It can be compatible with most charging cables on the market.
Both products deliver safe, efficient charging, backed by our quality assurance. When purchasing AC EV chargers or DC fast chargers from us, buyers gain installation assistance, remote monitoring capabilities, and performance guarantees!
Conclusion
Overall, the tethered vs. untethered charger selection depends highly on individual needs and situational specifics. Tethered models add convenience for simple residential setups. Untethered chargers, on the other hand, unlock greater parking freedoms preferred by drivers with varied charging locations.
At EVB Charger, we cater to all scenarios through market-leading products of both varieties. Visit our official website today for hassle-free charging experiences!
