Five metres suits a close wall and a short car when the port faces the charger. Eight metres is a common compromise. Ten metres helps long vehicles, tandem drives and ports on the far side. Extra cable is a trip and a coil if you never need it, and a weekly annoyance if you are a metre short. Park the car, hold a tape to the port the long way around the bumper, and add a little slack. Do this for the way you actually park, including nose-out.
What goes wrong with tethered EV cable lengths: 5 m, 8 m and 10 m
Ordering the catalogue default without a tape measure is the mistake that shows up on the first night.
Point at tethered EV cable lengths: 5 m, 8 m and 10 m in the pack
The quote should state the length in metres and the parked position it was measured for.
Tethered EV cable lengths: 5 m, 8 m and 10 m
If two cars share the bay, measure both. A 5 metre lead bought for a hatch will fail an estate parked behind it.
- Measure the long way around the car
- Include the second car
- Swapping later may mean a new lead
- State metres on the quote
Tethered EV cable lengths: 5 m, 8 m and 10 m: questions for the first visit
The price difference between lengths is small beside the pain of a second visit to swap a tether. Some units cannot have the lead changed easily. Ask.
How tethered EV cable lengths: 5 m, 8 m and 10 m moves the job
Choosing 10 metres 'to be safe' on a tiny courtyard makes a puddle of cable. Choosing 5 metres from a catalogue default is the more common error.
Frequently asked questions
Is an untethered socket more flexible?
Yes if you are happy to use your own Type 2 lead, which you can choose longer. You then store that lead.
Do public leads match?
A public charging cable is not a reason to guess the home tether. Home parking is tighter.
Will a longer lead charge slower?
Not in any way you will notice at home. Voltage drop on the fixed wiring is the real distance issue.
Can I extend a tether with an adapter?
No. Do not daisy-chain leads.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local EV Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.