What Cable Do You Need for a Pod Point Charger?

Pod Point home chargers come in both tethered and untethered versions, so what you need depends on which you have. A tethered Pod Point has the cable permanently attached, so you plug the built-in end into your car with nothing else to buy. An untethered Pod Point has a socket, so you supply your own Type 2 to Type 2 charging lead rated to match the box. Check your unit first, and if you need a cable the Type 2 charging cables range has the common lengths and power ratings. To confirm what your specific car takes, run your registration through the cable finder.

At a glance: Pod Point cable needs

Does a Pod Point come with a cable?

It depends on the version. A tethered Pod Point ships with the charging cable already attached, so you take the end and plug it into your car. An untethered Pod Point has a socket on the front instead, which keeps the unit tidy when idle but means you provide your own Type 2 to Type 2 lead. Check yours: a fixed cable means tethered, a bare socket means untethered. That tells you straight away whether you need to buy anything.

Do I need a cable for a tethered Pod Point?

No. A tethered Pod Point has its cable built in, so there is nothing extra to buy for day-to-day charging. You lift the attached connector and plug it into the car. The one lead a tethered owner might keep handy is a spare Type 2 to Type 2 cable in the boot for untethered public chargers, which use a socket rather than a fixed cable. For the wider picture, see tethered vs untethered wallbox.

What cable does an untethered Pod Point need?

An untethered Pod Point needs a standard Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable, the same universal AC lead used at most untethered public chargers. Both ends are Type 2: one plugs into the Pod Point socket, the other into your car's charge port. This is an ordinary home charging cable, not a rapid DC lead and not a granny charger. Choose the power rating and length to suit, and it will work with the Pod Point just as at any Type 2 point.

What power rating should I choose?

For most UK homes, a 7.4kW Type 2 cable is the right choice, since the majority of homes are single phase and 7.4kW is the single-phase ceiling. A 22kW-rated cable only delivers 22kW with a three-phase supply and a car that accepts three-phase AC, which is a minority of setups. On a single-phase home a 22kW cable still charges at 7.4kW, just heavier and pricier. To weigh it up, read 7kW vs 22kW and do I need a 22kW cable.

What length and car end do I need?

Choose 5m for most driveways, or 7m to 10m if your charge port is on the far side of the car or you park at an angle. The car end must match your car's inlet, which for almost every EV sold since 2018 is Type 2, so a Type 2 to Type 2 lead is correct. Some older cars use Type 1 and need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable. The Pod Point end is always Type 2.

• 5m: standard driveways with the box near the parking spot.
• 7m to 10m: awkward inlet, angled parking, or reaching past a car.
• Unsure of your inlet? See Type 1 vs Type 2.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Pod Point charger include a cable?

Only the tethered version, which has the cable permanently attached and included. The untethered Pod Point has a socket instead, so you supply your own Type 2 to Type 2 lead. Check your unit: a fixed cable means tethered and nothing extra to buy, while a bare socket means untethered and needs your own cable.

Do I need to buy a cable for a tethered Pod Point?

No. A tethered Pod Point has the cable built in, so you plug the attached connector straight into your car. The only lead you might want is a spare Type 2 to Type 2 cable for untethered public chargers, which use a socket rather than a fixed cable. For home use the tethered unit is self-contained.

What cable does an untethered Pod Point need?

A standard Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable, rated to match your setup. Both ends are Type 2 connectors, one for the Pod Point socket and one for your car. For most UK homes a 7.4kW lead is plenty, since single-phase supplies cap at that rate. Choose a length that reaches your charge port comfortably.

Will a 22kW cable make a Pod Point charge faster?

Not on a single-phase home. A cable only delivers what the weakest link allows, so a 22kW-rated lead on a single-phase supply still charges at 7.4kW. Faster AC charging needs a three-phase supply and a car that accepts three-phase power. For most homes a 7.4kW cable is the sensible, cheaper choice.

Can I use a public charging cable with a Pod Point?

Yes, if your Pod Point is untethered. The Type 2 to Type 2 lead you use at untethered public chargers is exactly what an untethered Pod Point needs, so one cable covers both. If your Pod Point is tethered you do not need this at home, but a spare lead is still useful for public sockets.

What if my car has a Type 1 inlet?

You need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable, and only on an untethered Pod Point, since a tethered one already has a fixed cable. Type 1 inlets appear on some cars sold before 2018. The charger end is always Type 2. Check your car's inlet or use the cable finder if you are unsure.

In short, a tethered Pod Point is ready to use out of the box, while an untethered Pod Point needs your own Type 2 to Type 2 lead sized to your supply and driveway. If you need a cable, the Type 2 charging cables range lists lengths and power ratings, and to understand the two styles read tethered vs untethered wallbox alongside what cable an untethered home charger needs.