Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating vs Pod Point
Where British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating and Pod Point differ
| Compare |  British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating | Pod Point ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Charger price | £999 | £999 to £1,049 |
| Tethered cable | No | YesHas it |
| Tariff integration | British Gas, British Gas EV Power | Pod Power by EDF |
| Warranty | 3 years | 5 yearsHigher |
| Installation price | £999 | Not confirmed |
| Solar divert | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Installation included (Yes), Charging power (kW) (7.4), Mobile app (Yes), Markets (GB).
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Key differences
- Pod Point scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.6.
- Tethered cable: only Pod Point.
- Warranty is higher at Pod Point: 5 years vs 3 years.
- Founded is lower at Pod Point: 2009 vs 2013.
- Tariff integration: only British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating offers British Gas, British Gas EV Power.
- Tariff integration: only Pod Point offers Pod Power by EDF.
Our verdict on each
British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating
British Gas Hive suits households already on a British Gas supply who want a home charger ordered alongside their energy account, and it prices at £999 with installation included. The trade-off is 7.4 kW of output and an untethered cable, so drivers who need quicker top-ups should look wider.
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 | British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2Charging at £999 with installation at £999 and fitting included keeps the entry cost to a single hardware purchase. | 8.3HigherCharger price of £999 to £1,049 with installation included, so the entry cost is a single figure. |
| Offer | 8.8Installation is included, a mobile app handles control, and British Gas and British Gas EV Power tie charging to an existing British Gas account. | 9.2HigherTethered cable, solar divert and a mobile app, plus 5 years of warranty cover. |
| Trust | 9.0Centrica Hive Limited has traded since 2013, and chat, phone and help centre give buyers a clear route to help. | 9.5HigherPod Point Limited in GB, with support on phone, help centre and chat. |
Availability and regulation
| Country | British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
Available in 1 country for both.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| EV tariffs and home chargers | 18 of 27 | 14 of 27 |
Where these facts come from
British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating
- hivehome.com: 13 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Pod Point
- podenergy.com: 7 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- pod-point.com: 6 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Centrica Hive Limited | Pod Point Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2013 | 2009Lower |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Phone, Help centre, Chat |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating | Pod Point | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charging power (kW) | 7.4lowest quarter | 7.4lowest quarter | 22 |
| Warranty | 3 yearsat the median | 5 yearsabove the median | 3 years |
Median across 15 listed providers.
Pros and cons
British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating
Pros
- Installation is included with the unit, so a fitter does not have to be arranged separately, and the charger price of £999 is the figure most buyers start from.
- Support covers chat, phone and help centre, giving a phone line and live chat alongside written help once the box is on the wall.
- The charger works with British Gas and British Gas EV Power, so charging can follow the tariff the household already holds.
Cons
- The unit is untethered, so there is no permanently attached cable and drivers bring or pick their own lead.
- Output of 7.4 kW places the unit at 12 of 18 on our charger power table, so it suits overnight charging rather than quick turnarounds.
- The £999 charger price sits above DRBO Greenenergy at €499, though the two are quoted in different currencies.
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
British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating
Who it suits
- Households already on a British Gas supply who want the charger ordered alongside the energy account.
- Drivers who charge on the drive overnight and can live with 7.4 kW of output and an untethered cable.
- Buyers who put aftercare first: 3 years of warranty and support across chat, phone and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for shoppers comparing sticker prices alone: DRBO Greenenergy lists its charger at €499 and Endesa at €1,099, so both belong next to the £999 here.
- Not for anyone outside GB, and for drivers who need a cable fixed to the box. Where the fitting cost decides it, EVSE - Enphase at $1,000 is the figure to weigh against £999.
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 | British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
British Gas - Hive - Smart Home & Heating
What does the Hive EV charger cost, and what is the fitting on top?+
The charger is priced at £999 and the listing states installation at £999. Both are hardware figures quoted at the point of order, not subscription charges, so there is no renewal to weigh once the box is on the wall. Compare the two lines separately against any alternative, because a cheaper unit can carry a higher fitting cost.
Does the price cover installation?+
Installation is marked as included with the unit, so a fitter does not have to be arranged separately. The listing still gives an installation figure of £999, so it is worth checking which parts of the fitting that covers before ordering. The unit itself is £999.
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.