Zappi EV Charger Review: Price, Specs & Solar Charging in the UK
The myenergi Zappi is the UK's best-known smart EV charger, and the default choice for homeowners who have solar panels. Its standout feature is solar-aware charging: in Eco+ mode the Zappi charges your car using only surplus solar electricity, so you can add miles for free. This review covers the price, the 7kW specs, tethered versus untethered, installation, and how the Zappi stacks up against rivals like Ohme and Hypervolt.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
The myenergi Zappi is a 7kW (7.4kW) smart home EV charger made in the UK. It costs around £800-£1,500 fully installed. Its key advantage over rivals is built-in solar charging: Eco+ mode uses only surplus solar power, so solar panel owners can charge their EV for free. It comes in tethered and untethered versions and works with every plug-in car.
Zappi review: is it worth it?
The Zappi, made by Lincolnshire-based myenergi, is one of the most popular home EV chargers in the UK. It is a 7kW charger (the maximum on a standard single-phase home supply) with a built-in feature set that most rivals charge extra for. For households with solar panels it is the obvious pick, because no other mainstream charger handles solar surplus as cleanly out of the box.
For homes without solar, the Zappi still works well as a standard smart charger with app scheduling and tariff integration, though at that point cheaper chargers like Ohme do much the same job. The honest summary: if you have solar panels (or plan to), the Zappi is worth the premium. If you do not, weigh it against cheaper smart chargers below.
7.4 kW
Max charging power
Eco+
100% solar-only charging mode
3 yr
Standard warranty (UK-made)
How much does a Zappi cost in the UK?
A Zappi typically costs £800 to £1,500 fully installed. The unit alone is around £550 to £800 depending on version and colour, with installation adding £250 to £700 depending on cable runs, consumer unit work, and your region. The price below assumes a standard install on an existing single-phase supply.
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zappi unit (untethered) | £550-£700 | Socketed; you supply your own cable |
| Zappi unit (tethered) | £600-£800 | Attached 6.5m or 7.5m Type 2 cable |
| Standard installation | £250-£500 | Short cable run, existing consumer unit capacity |
| Complex installation | £500-£700 | Long runs, fuse board upgrade, groundworks |
| Total installed (typical) | £800-£1,500 | Most UK homes land near £1,000-£1,200 |
Prices are indicative UK averages for 2026 and vary by installer and region. The myenergi Hub or harvi sensor (for solar mode) may add £30-£90 if your setup needs one. The Zappi is eligible for the OZEV EV chargepoint grant of up to £350 where you qualify (mainly flat owners and renters).
Zappi specifications
The current Zappi (v2.1) is a 7kW single-phase charger with a 22kW three-phase option for homes and businesses with a three-phase supply. Here are the key specs UK buyers ask about.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Charging power | 7.4kW single-phase / 22kW three-phase |
| Connector | Type 2 (tethered) or Type 2 socket (untethered) |
| Charging modes | Fast, Eco, Eco+ (solar surplus only) |
| Solar integration | Built in; needs a CT clamp or harvi sensor |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi via myenergi Hub; myenergi app control |
| Tariff / smart charging | Schedules; works with off-peak EV tariffs |
| Cable length (tethered) | 6.5m or 7.5m |
| Smart charging compliant | Yes (UK 2021 regulations) |
| Manufactured | UK (Stallingborough, Lincolnshire) |
| Warranty | 3 years standard |
Zappi glo vs Zappi 2.1: which model?
myenergi now sells two Zappi models, so it is worth knowing which one a quote refers to. The Zappi 2.1 is the established model that built the charger's reputation. The newer Zappi glo is a redesigned unit with an integrated display and a more compact, modern look, aimed at buyers who want the latest hardware. Both are 7kW single-phase chargers and both keep the solar-aware Eco and Eco+ modes that make the Zappi the default choice for solar homes.
For most UK homeowners the practical difference is design and on-unit display rather than charging behaviour: if you mainly care about solar charging and price, the 2.1 remains excellent value; if you want the newest model and built-in screen, choose the glo. Confirm with your installer exactly which model and version a quote includes before you order.
Zappi 2.1
The long-running model. Proven track record, widest installer familiarity, and usually the lower price. Same Eco+ solar charging. Best for value and a fit-and-forget setup.
Zappi glo
The newer, redesigned Zappi with an integrated display and a more compact, modern look. Same solar-aware charging modes. Best if you want the latest hardware and on-unit info.
Zappi tethered vs untethered: which to choose?
The Zappi comes in two formats. Tethered has a permanently attached cable, so you just plug straight into the car. Untethered (socketed) has a Type 2 socket, and you use your own cable, which you store when not charging. Both charge at the same speed.
Tethered
Best for convenience. Cable is always there, ready to plug in. No fumbling for a cable in the boot.
Downsides: the cable hangs on the wall when idle, and you are fixed to that cable length and connector type.
Untethered (socketed)
Best for a tidy wall and future-proofing. Use whatever cable length you like, and swap it if you change cars.
Downsides: you carry and connect the cable each time, and it is a small theft target if left out.
Most UK homeowners choose tethered for day-to-day convenience. Choose untethered if you want the neatest installation or expect to change vehicles. The price difference is usually £30-£80.
Zappi solar charging: Eco and Eco+ modes
This is why solar households buy a Zappi. A CT clamp (or wireless harvi sensor) measures your solar export, and the Zappi diverts that surplus into your car instead of selling it cheaply to the grid. There are three modes:
Fast
Charges at full speed from any source (grid and solar), like a normal charger. Use this when you need the car ready quickly.
Eco
Prioritises surplus solar but tops up from the grid at a minimum rate so charging always continues. A balance of speed and savings.
Eco+
Charges only from surplus solar and pauses when a cloud passes. This gives you 100% free, fully green miles, but charging is slower and weather-dependent.
Pairing solar panels with a Zappi in Eco+ mode can cover 50-70% of a typical EV's annual charging from free solar electricity. For the full economics, see our guide on charging an EV with solar panels. If you also want to send surplus to your hot water tank, the myenergi eddi pairs with the Zappi, covered on our solar diverters page.
Zappi installation: what to expect
A Zappi must be fitted by a qualified electrician or approved EV charge point installer. A standard install takes 2 to 4 hours. The installer mounts the unit, runs a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit, fits the CT clamp for solar mode, and commissions the charger on the myenergi app.
1. Survey
The installer checks your supply, fuse board capacity, and the cable route from the board to the parking spot.
2. Mounting
The Zappi is fixed to an external wall or post near where you park, at a sensible height for the cable.
3. Wiring
A dedicated circuit is run from the consumer unit with its own protection. The board may need a small upgrade.
4. Solar sensor
A CT clamp is fitted around your incoming supply (or a harvi sensor used) so the Zappi can see solar surplus.
5. Commissioning
The installer connects the Zappi to Wi-Fi via the Hub, sets up the app, and tests each charging mode.
6. Notification
Home EV chargers must be notified to your DNO. A good installer handles this paperwork for you.
Find a Zappi installer near you
We match you with vetted UK installers who fit the Zappi and other smart chargers, including solar-aware setups. Compare quotes from approved installers in your area with no obligation.
Browse EV charger installersZappi vs Ohme vs Hypervolt
The Zappi is not the only good smart charger in the UK. Here is how it compares with the two rivals buyers ask about most. The short version: Zappi wins for solar, Ohme wins for tariff-led charging on value, and Hypervolt wins on looks and app polish.
| Charger | Power | Installed Price | Solar Surplus Charging | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| myenergi Zappi | 7.4kW | £800-£1,500 | Excellent (Eco+ built in) | Solar panel owners |
| Ohme ePod / Home Pro | 7.4kW | £700-£1,100 | Limited (tariff-based, no native solar) | Off-peak tariff charging on a budget |
| Hypervolt Home 3 | 7.4kW | £800-£1,300 | Good (solar mode in app) | Design-led homes, polished app |
Prices are indicative UK 2026 installed averages and vary by installer. Ohme is strong for drivers on tariffs such as Intelligent Octopus Go who want the cheapest overnight charging; the Zappi is the clearer choice where free solar charging is the priority.
Zappi EV Charger: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Zappi cost in the UK?
A myenergi Zappi costs around £800 to £1,500 fully installed in the UK. The unit alone is roughly £550 to £800 depending on whether you choose tethered or untethered, with installation adding £250 to £700 depending on cable runs and any fuse board work. Most homes land near £1,000 to £1,200.
Is the Zappi worth it?
If you have solar panels, yes. The Zappi's Eco+ mode charges your car using only surplus solar electricity, so you add miles for free instead of exporting cheaply to the grid. If you don't have solar, the Zappi is still a capable smart charger, but cheaper options like Ohme do a similar job for tariff-based overnight charging.
What is the Zappi glo and how is it different from the Zappi 2.1?
The Zappi glo is myenergi's newer, redesigned Zappi with an integrated display and a more compact, modern look. The Zappi 2.1 is the established model with a longer track record and usually a lower price. Both are 7kW single-phase chargers with the same solar-aware Eco and Eco+ modes, so the main difference is design and on-unit display rather than charging behaviour. Confirm which model your quote covers before ordering.
What is the difference between Zappi tethered and untethered?
Tethered means the charging cable is permanently attached, so you just plug into the car. Untethered (socketed) has a Type 2 socket and you use your own removable cable. Both charge at the same 7.4kW. Tethered is more convenient day to day; untethered is tidier and lets you swap cables if you change cars.
Does the Zappi charge from solar panels?
Yes. A CT clamp or wireless harvi sensor measures your solar export, and the Zappi diverts that surplus into your EV. In Eco+ mode it charges only from surplus solar (pausing when clouds pass), and in Eco mode it prioritises solar but tops up from the grid so charging always continues.
How fast does a Zappi charge?
The Zappi charges at up to 7.4kW on a standard single-phase home supply, adding roughly 25 to 30 miles of range per hour. A three-phase version charges at up to 22kW where a three-phase supply is available. In solar Eco+ mode the speed varies with how much surplus solar you are generating.
Does a Zappi need the myenergi Hub or harvi?
For app control and remote features the Zappi connects to Wi-Fi via the myenergi Hub. For solar charging it needs to see your import/export, which is done with a CT clamp wired in at the meter or a wireless harvi sensor where wiring a clamp is awkward. Your installer will advise which your setup needs.
Can I get a grant for a Zappi?
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant of up to £350 applies to eligible installs, mainly flat owners and renters who meet the criteria, and it covers the Zappi. Homeowners in standard houses are generally no longer eligible. Your installer can confirm whether you qualify before you order.
Zappi vs Ohme: which is better?
The Zappi is better if you have solar panels, because of its native Eco+ solar charging. Ohme is better value if your priority is cheap overnight charging on a smart tariff like Intelligent Octopus Go, as it leans on tariff data rather than a solar sensor. For a solar home, Zappi; for tariff-led budget charging, Ohme.
Where is the Zappi made?
The Zappi is designed and manufactured in the UK by myenergi at its factory in Stallingborough, Lincolnshire. It comes with a 3-year standard warranty.
Can a Zappi charge any electric car?
Yes. The Zappi uses the universal Type 2 connector, so it charges every plug-in car sold in the UK, including Tesla, and plug-in hybrids. The tethered version comes with a Type 2 cable attached; with the untethered version you use your car's own Type 2 cable.
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Sources
- myenergi: Zappi EV Charger, myenergi.com
- OZEV: EV Chargepoint Grant, gov.uk
- MCS: Find a Certified Installer, mcscertified.com
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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