A tethered charge point will have a fixed lead that cannot be removed. Cable length will vary between manufacturers, and some will have the option of different lengths. Untethered units will just have a charging socket.

If you are looking for a charge point that is compact, and more discreet, then an untethered unit may be best. But, a tethered charge point is usually more convenient as you won’t have to get the charging cable out of the boot each time you charge. Tethered charge points are usually a more cost effective solution also.

Since 2018 EVs in the UK and Europe started to use the Type 2 connector. Earlier EVs and some Japananese manufacturers will have used the Type 1 connector.

CCS is basically a Type 2 connector with the addition of a DC charging port. This allows extra fast charging speeds up to 350kW.  These are usually found at public charging stations.

Most UK homes will only be able to have a 7kW charge point as they have a single-phase supply. Some homes with a 3-phase supply will be able to charge at up to 22kW, although this is rare in the UK. The vehicle must be capable of charging at 22kW AC as well.

The actual time it takes to charge will depend on the battery size. A vehicle with a 60kW battery will take just under 8 hours to charge from 0-100%. Deviding the battery size by 7.4 will give a rough time on how long it takes to charge.

Just like smartphones, and other equipment with lithium batteries inside, it is recommended to charge up to 80%. This is to help extend the longevity of the battery. Charging will slow down once the battery reaches 80%, again to extend the long-term life of the battery. This limit would usually be set in the EV settings, not the charge point, as most charge points cannot see the state of charge (SOC). Some charge points like the Ohme Home Pro will link to the cars API to see the current SOC, most don’t though.

This will depend on the battery size and can be calculated with basic maths. If you multiply the amount of energy consumed (kWh) while charging, by the cost per kWh (unit) that you pay your provider, this will give the cost per charge. All UK EV charge points have to give energy usage as part of the new smart-charging legislation 2021.

Yes, many charge points like the Myenergi Zappi have options for charging from surplus solar energy. Charging this way prevents unused energy being exported back to the grid.