Tethered or untethered: which charger to fit
A tethered charger has its cable fixed to the unit: you park, lift the plug and charge. An untethered charger has a Type 2 socket and you plug in your own cable, which suits any car. Tethered costs €100 to €200 more fitted and is handier at home every evening. Untethered is tidier, takes a Type 2 to Type 1 cable for an older car, and suits whatever you drive next.
How each works, which suits where you park, and what the fixed cable costs.
Free, no obligation. One registered electrician prices it, not five.
- +€100–€200for a tethered charger, fitted
- 5 ma common tethered cable length
- Type 2the socket on an untethered charger
- €300grant either way, on SEAI's register
How each works
Tethered. The cable is part of the charger and hangs on a hook or a holster when it's not in use. Nothing to carry, nothing to forget. A 5 metre cable is a common length, so the charger has to go close to where the car's charging flap ends up.
Untethered. The charger has a Type 2 socket, and you plug in a cable you keep in the car. It looks tidier on the wall and takes any cable: Type 2 to Type 2 for most cars, Type 2 to Type 1 for an older one, or a longer cable if you park further away.
Which suits where you park
| Where the car parks | The handier choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway beside the house | Tethered | You plug in every evening, so a cable on the wall saves time |
| In your own garage | Tethered | The cable stays dry and out of the way |
| Garage or post away from the house | Either | Tethered for every day, untethered if the spot is shared |
| Your own space in an apartment car park | Untethered | Nothing left hanging in a shared car park |
| You drive a car with a Type 1 socket | Untethered | A Type 2 to Type 1 cable now, any cable later |
Match a charger to your car and your house
Four quick taps. Your plan builds up as you go: the charger that suits your car, the price range for your house, the grant and the time on site. Your number is only asked for at the end, if you want a fixed price.
A fully electric car, a charger on the house wall a few metres from a newer fuse board: €1,000 to €1,500 fitted, €700 to €1,200 after the €300 SEAI grant, including VAT.
How this is worked out
We start from what a 7 kW smart charger costs fitted in Ireland, including VAT, with a standard fit: the charger, its own circuit from the fuse board and up to 5 metres of cable. A solar-aware charger costs more. Then we add what installers charge for a longer cable run, a trench to a garage or post, and fuse board work on an older board. The SEAI home charger grant comes off the charger and fitting, never off the board or earthing work. It is an estimate to plan with, never a quote: the electrician prices your house after looking at it.
What it costs
Tethered chargers cost about €100 to €200 more fitted than the same charger untethered. Both take the €300 SEAI grant if the model is on SEAI's Smart Charger Register. An untethered charger needs a cable of its own, and many cars come with one.
The rest of the price is the same either way: what a home charger costs fitted.
Home Car Charger Installation guides & price breakdowns
Straight answers to what people ask most: itemised costs, specifications, planning or grants, and what to check before you book.
More guides & resources: The certificate and paperwork for a home charger · All guides & calculator hub · Technical & trade glossary · Frequently asked questions
Questions people ask
Is tethered or untethered better?
A tethered charger has its cable fixed to the unit: you park, lift the plug and charge. An untethered charger has a Type 2 socket and you plug in your own cable, which suits any car. Tethered costs €100 to €200 more fitted and is handier at home every evening. Untethered is tidier, takes a Type 2 to Type 1 cable for an older car, and suits whatever you drive next.
Can I use my own cable with a tethered charger?
No. A tethered charger has its own fixed cable. For a different plug or a longer reach, an untethered charger takes any cable.
Does an untethered charger come with a cable?
Not always. Many cars come with a Type 2 cable for public charging, and that cable works in an untethered home charger.
Do both get the grant?
Yes, if the model is on SEAI's Smart Charger Register. The €300 is the same either way.
Home Car Charger Installation across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one vetted local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice.
Get a fixed price for your charger
Match it in under a minute, see the price and the grant, and one Safe Electric registered electrician who covers your county rings you.