Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Autel Energy vs Pod Point
Where Autel Energy and Pod Point differ
| Compare |  Autel Energy | Pod Point ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Charger price | $599 | £999 to £1,049 |
| Installation included | No | YesHas it |
| Charging power (kW) | 12Higher | 7.4 |
| Warranty | 3 years | 5 yearsHigher |
| Markets | US | GB |
| Solar divert | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Tariff integration | Not confirmed | Pod Power by EDF |
Same on both: Tethered cable (Yes), Mobile app (Yes).
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Key differences
- Autel Energy scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Installation included: only Pod Point.
- Charging power (kW) is higher at Autel Energy: 12 vs 7.4.
- Warranty is higher at Pod Point: 5 years vs 3 years.
- Support channels: only Autel Energy offers Email.
- Support channels: only Pod Point offers Help centre, Chat.
- Founded is lower at Autel Energy: 2004 vs 2009.
- Markets: only Autel Energy offers US.
- Markets: only Pod Point offers GB.
Our verdict on each
Autel Energy
Autel Energy suits US drivers who want a tethered, hardwired home charger with app control and a solid warranty. The MaxiCharger AC unit costs $599 and installation is separate, so the real outlay runs higher than the headline price.
Pod Point
Pod Point fits UK households that want solar charging handled as one purchase, and the Solo home charger costs £999 to £1,049 with a 8.9 score on our data. Choose it for the included fitting, tethered cable and app rather than for headline price or peak power.
Score breakdown
| Area | Autel Energy | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7HigherCharger price of $599 sits mid-field, and installation is not included, so buyers budget a second sum. | 8.3Charger price of £999 to £1,049 with installation included, so the entry cost is a single figure. |
| Offer | 8.9Hardwired unit delivers 12 kW, comes tethered, has a mobile app and a 3 years warranty. | 9.2HigherTethered cable, solar divert and a mobile app, plus 5 years of warranty cover. |
| Trust | 10.0HigherEstablished in 2004 with support by email and phone, plus a 3 years warranty on the unit. | 9.5Pod Point Limited in GB, with support on phone, help centre and chat. |
How they place
| Ranking | Autel Energy | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| EV tariffs and home chargers | 7 of 27 | 14 of 27 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Autel Energy | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Pod Point Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2004Lower | 2009 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Phone, Help centre, Chat |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Autel Energy | Pod Point | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charging power (kW) | 12below the median | 7.4lowest quarter | 22 |
| Warranty | 3 yearsat the median | 5 yearsabove the median | 3 years |
Median across 15 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Autel Energy
Pros
- Tethered cable means one fixed unit on the wall, so no cable to buy, store or plug in each time ($599 covers the box alone)
- 12 kW output matches the top of the site range for home AC units
- Mobile app included, so charging sessions and status sit on a phone
Cons
- Installation is not included, so the buyer's total is the $599 unit plus a separate fitting job
- DRBO Greenenergy lists a lower charger price at €499
- Availability is limited to US, so it is not an option for UK or EU buyers
Pod Point
Pros
- Installation is included, so the Solo home charger and its fitting arrive as one purchase.
- Solar divert is supported, so the unit can use household solar as well as grid supply.
- The cable is tethered, so the lead is part of the box rather than a separate item.
Cons
- Charger price of £999 to £1,049 is above €499 at DRBO Greenenergy, so the entry figure is not the lowest in this group.
- Output of 7.4 kW sits at the low end of the field, where 22 kW is the ceiling.
- The Solo home charger is sold in GB only, so buyers outside that market need a local supplier.
Who each suits
Autel Energy
Who it suits
- US households with a driveway or garage who want a permanent tethered cable point
- Drivers who charge overnight and want a 12 kW unit they rarely outgrow
- People who want setup and monitoring in a mobile app rather than on a wall display
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers in the UK or EU, since US does not include those regions
- Anyone wanting a turnkey quote, as installation is not included in the $599 price
- Price-first shoppers, since DRBO Greenenergy charges less at €499
Pod Point
Who it suits
- UK households with solar panels who want the charger to use their own generation.
- Drivers who want the lead fixed to the unit and the fitting in the same purchase.
- Buyers who want a mobile app alongside phone and help centre support.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for the tightest budgets: DRBO Greenenergy lists €499, below £999 to £1,049.
- Not for shoppers who want a different supplier near the top of the price range: Endesa lists €1,099.
- Not for buyers who want the wallbox only and plan their own fitting: Enphase EVSE does not include installation.
Current offers
Pod Point
Current offer
Discount code
Pay £0 upfront on Pod Drive subscription: £0 upfront
Subscription subject to status and eligibility. Terms and conditions apply.
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Autel Energy | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Autel Energy
How much does an Autel Energy home charger cost?+
The hardwired MaxiCharger AC unit is listed at $599. That figure covers the charger hardware itself. Installation is not included, so the fitting cost sits on top of the purchase price and needs separate arranging.
Does installation come with the charger?+
No. Installation is listed as not included for the residential range. Buyers should budget for an electrician separately from the $599 hardware charge, and the fitting quote can move the total a long way from the headline price.
Pod Point
How much does the Pod Point Solo home charger cost?+
The Solo home charger costs £999 to £1,049 in the UK. Installation is included with that purchase, so there is no separate fitting fee to add on. On this site the brand ranks 14 of 19 on charger price, which places it mid field rather than at the budget or premium end.
Is installation included in the price?+
Installation is included, so the £999 to £1,049 price covers the unit and its fitting. The cable is tethered, which means the lead is supplied with the charger rather than sold as a separate item. Buyers who want only the wallbox would be wise to check what the included installation covers before ordering.