Charger review
Zappi EV charger review: best home charger for solar owners.
The Zappi from myenergi is the most capable solar-integrated home EV charger available in the UK. If you have solar panels, it is the right choice. If you do not, you are paying for features you will not use.
Verdict
The Zappi v2 is the best home EV charger for solar panel owners. Its solar divert function is unmatched: it monitors your generation and home consumption in real time and charges your car with power that would otherwise be exported to the grid for 4–8p/kWh. It supports direct integration with the most popular UK solar inverters, three distinct charging modes, and fits into the myenergi whole-home energy ecosystem.
If you do not have solar panels and are not planning to install them, the Zappi is not the right charger. You would be paying £100–£200 more than a Pod Point for functionality you cannot use. In that case, see our home EV charger comparison for the right alternative.
Key specifications
| Output | 7.4kW (single-phase 32A); 22kW three-phase version available |
| Solar divert | Yes: eco and eco+ modes, CT clamp or direct inverter integration |
| Cable type | Tethered (Type 2, 6.5m) or untethered socket: both available |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet (via hub), Bluetooth |
| OZEV approved | Yes |
| Installed cost (UK) | ~£850–£1,100 depending on installation complexity |
Solar divert: how it actually works
The Zappi's core function is measuring how much surplus solar power your home is generating above its current consumption, and routing that surplus to charge your car instead of exporting it to the grid.
Three modes control how it handles the balance between solar and grid:
- Fast: charges from the grid at full 7.4kW regardless of solar generation. Useful when you need a full charge quickly.
- Eco: uses solar surplus as the priority, topped up with grid power to maintain a minimum charge rate of 1.4kW. The car always charges, but it draws as little grid electricity as possible.
- Eco+: solar only. Charges only when there is surplus generation. If the sun goes behind clouds for an extended period, charging pauses. Best for cars that do not need to be ready by a specific time.
You can combine eco or eco+ mode with a minimum state-of-charge setting, so the car always has at least, say, 30% battery, with grid top-up if solar has not supplied enough by a set time.
Integration method: for most home solar setups, a CT clamp on the main supply cable measures net import/export and the Zappi calculates surplus from that. For direct integration with compatible inverters (SolarEdge, Givenergy, Solis, Huawei, Fronius, and others), the myenergi hub connects to the inverter's API and reads generation data directly: more accurate and faster to respond.
What the Zappi does well
- Best-in-class solar divert: routes surplus generation directly to your car
- Three charging modes (fast, eco, eco+) give real control over when and how you use solar
- Direct inverter integration with SolarEdge, Givenergy, Solis, and others
- Part of the myenergi ecosystem (Eddi, Libbi) for whole-home energy management
- OZEV approved: eligible for the EV Chargepoint Grant
- 7.4kW output on single-phase supply; 22kW three-phase version also available
Where it falls short
- Bulkier hardware than Ohme or Hypervolt: not the most compact wall unit
- App is functional but behind Ohme in UX polish
- myenergi hub required for full inverter integration, adding cost and setup complexity
- Tariff integration works but Ohme handles Octopus Agile more seamlessly
- If you have no solar, you are paying a premium for features you will not use
The myenergi ecosystem
The Zappi is designed to work alongside other myenergi products:
- Eddi: a solar diverter for hot water immersion heaters: same principle as the Zappi, but for your hot water cylinder instead of your car. If you have an immersion heater, Eddi stops surplus solar being wasted before the car gets it.
- Libbi: a home battery system that integrates with the Zappi and Eddi to store solar generation and release it in the evening: including to charge the car overnight. Significantly improves the economics if your car is usually plugged in in the evenings rather than during the day.
- Hub: the myenergi hub connects all devices to the internet and enables direct inverter integration. It is required for direct solar integration (versus CT clamp only). Priced around £50–£80 and adds an installation step.
If you are building a solar home energy system rather than just adding a charger, the myenergi ecosystem is worth taking seriously as a whole. If you just want a charger, the Zappi works fine standalone with CT clamp integration.
Cost and the OZEV grant
The Zappi v2 typically costs £850–£1,100 supplied and installed by an OZEV-authorised installer in the UK (November 2026). This is £50–£150 more than a comparable Pod Point or Hypervolt installation.
If you are a renter or leasehold flat owner with private off-street parking, the OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant covers 75% of supply and installation costs up to £500. After the grant, the typical net cost is £350–£600. Your installer applies the grant and deducts it from the invoice.
Who should buy the Zappi?
- Solar panel owners: straightforward answer: Zappi.
- Planning to install solar: buy the Zappi now and configure solar divert when panels go in.
- Using Octopus Energy: Zappi integrates with Octopus Go and similar overnight tariffs, though Ohme does this more seamlessly.
- No solar, no plans for solar: consider Pod Point Solo 3 or Ohme Home Pro instead.
Common questions
Can I use a Zappi without solar panels?
Yes. The Zappi operates as a standard 7.4kW smart charger in fast mode. It supports scheduled charging and tariff integration. You just cannot use eco or eco+ modes without a solar generation source. Many buyers install a Zappi in anticipation of future solar panels.
Does the Zappi work with all solar inverters?
The Zappi works with any solar setup via CT clamp, which measures net import/export at the meter. Direct inverter integration (faster, more accurate) is available for SolarEdge, Givenergy, Solis, Huawei FusionSolar, Fronius, and others via the myenergi hub. Check the myenergi compatibility list for your specific inverter.
How much does solar charging actually save?
Every kWh diverted from solar to your car saves roughly 16–20p compared to grid electricity (the difference between the Smart Export Guarantee export rate and the grid import rate). For a driver covering 10,000 miles a year at 3.5 mi/kWh, diverting 50% of that from solar saves approximately £130–£160 per year. See our guide on EV charging with solar panels for the full calculation.
Is the Zappi reliable?
The Zappi v2 has been in widespread UK use since 2019 and has a solid reliability record. The most common issues are connectivity-related (Wi-Fi dropouts affecting remote control features) rather than charging hardware failures. The CT clamp connection occasionally needs checking after a year or two. myenergi offers a 3-year warranty on the hardware.
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