Does the ePod support solar?

Very limited. For dynamic solar charging, the Alpha7 or Zappi GLO are better choices.

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Ohme ePod | EV Charger Comparison UK 2026

Q: Does the Ohme ePod need an earth rod?

No. Built-in PEN fault detection — no external PME device required, same as the Alpha7.

Q: How does the ePod connect without WiFi?

Via a built-in 3G/4G multi-network SIM. Ohme covers the cost for the first 3 years.

EV Charger Comparison · UK 2026

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Ohme ePod: Which EV Charger Is Better?

The Ohme ePod is one of the most compact smart EV chargers available in the UK — barely larger than a smartphone, untethered, with built-in 4G and the same industry-leading tariff intelligence as the Ohme Home Pro. The Fast Amps Alpha7 is UK-built, solar-ready, and tethered or untethered. Here's how they compare.

✓ Best UK-built value: Fast Amps Alpha7 — Most compact smart charger: Ohme ePod

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Quick verdict: The Ohme ePod is remarkable for its size — 1.48kg and barely larger than a large smartphone — while packing in built-in 4G, built-in PEN protection, and the same smart tariff API that makes the Ohme Home Pro so popular. But it costs more than the Alpha7, has no Ethernet, and lacks solar integration. The Alpha7 wins on solar, UK manufacturing, and Ethernet. The ePod wins on compactness, 4G, and tariff automation.

🇬🇧 UK-built Alpha7Both untethered options7.4kW outputBuilt-in 4G (ePod)Built-in PEN protection (both)Smart tariff API (ePod)

Fast Amps Alpha7UK-designed & manufactured in Shrewsbury · From £399

Ohme ePodWorld's smallest smart charger · 1.48kg · 230×140×100mm · From £409 · Built-in 4G

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Fast Amps Alpha7	Ohme ePod
Max output	7.4kW (32A)	7.4kW (32A)
Solar integration	Dynamic solar — standard	Solar Boost feature — limited vs dedicated solar
Smart tariff API	Scheduled charging via app	Live tariff + Octopus Intelligent direct API
Built-in PEN fault protection	Yes — no earth rod required	Yes — no earth rod required
Connectivity	WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet	4G/3G multi-network SIM (no WiFi, no Ethernet)
Tethered / untethered	Both available	Untethered only (socket only)
Dimensions	Compact (standard wallbox)	230×140×100mm — smallest on market
Weight	Standard	1.48kg — lightest on market
IP rating	IP54	IP54
Warranty	3 years	3 years (4G SIM covered for first 3 years)
UK-manufactured	Yes — Shrewsbury 🇬🇧	Designed in UK, manufactured overseas
Price (charger only)	From £399	From £409

📖 Plain English

The Ohme ePod is genuinely extraordinary for its size. It's roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper and weighs less than a bag of sugar — yet it's a fully capable 7.4kW smart charger with built-in 4G and the best smart tariff API on the UK market. Its main limitations are no solar (well, very limited solar) and no Ethernet. If you have solar panels, Alpha7 is clearly better. If you want the most discreet possible installation with top-tier tariff automation, the ePod is hard to beat.

Where Each Charger Leads

☀️

Solar: Alpha7 Wins

Dynamic solar integration is standard on Alpha7. The ePod's "Solar Boost" feature is limited — for serious solar self-consumption, Alpha7 is the clear choice.

📱

Tariff Automation: ePod Wins

Same Ohme API intelligence as the Home Pro — Octopus Intelligent, live tariff optimisation, vehicle-level battery awareness.

📐

Size: ePod Wins Decisively

1.48kg, 230×140×100mm. Nothing else on the UK market comes close. For discreet installations it's in a class of its own.

📡

Connectivity: Split

ePod uses 4G (excellent for poor-WiFi locations). Alpha7 uses WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet (more reliable in good-WiFi locations).

🇬🇧

UK Manufacturing: Alpha7 Wins

Alpha7 is designed and manufactured entirely in the UK. The ePod is designed in the UK but manufactured overseas.

🛡️

PME: Both Comply

Both chargers include built-in PEN fault detection — no earth rod or external PME device required on PME supplies. A genuine advantage both share.

The 4G vs Ethernet Question

The Ohme ePod connects exclusively via 4G multi-network SIM — there is no WiFi or Ethernet option. This is excellent for locations with poor or unreliable WiFi (rural properties, garages at the end of long driveways), and Ohme covers the SIM cost for the first 3 years.

After 3 years, the SIM cost becomes the customer's responsibility — this is worth noting in long-term cost planning.

The Alpha7 uses WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet. For installations near a strong WiFi signal, this is more flexible and has no ongoing connectivity cost.

Which Should You Choose?

Our Verdict

Choose Fast Amps Alpha7 if…

Solar integration is needed
UK manufacturing matters
Tethered option preferred
Ethernet reliability at install point
No ongoing SIM cost preferred

Choose Ohme ePod if…

Most discreet possible installation
Octopus Intelligent automation wanted
Poor WiFi at install location
Untethered socket only is needed
Minimalist aesthetic is important

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Ohme ePod need an earth rod on a PME supply?

No. The Ohme ePod includes built-in PEN fault detection with automatic disconnection on fault. No earth rod or external PME device is required — an advantage it shares with the Fast Amps Alpha7.

Does the Ohme ePod support solar charging?

The Ohme ePod has a limited "Solar Boost" feature but is not designed as a solar-first charger. For dynamic solar self-consumption matching, the Fast Amps Alpha7 (standard) or Zappi GLO (best-in-class) are better choices.

How does the ePod connect without WiFi?

The Ohme ePod connects exclusively via a built-in 3G/4G multi-network SIM card. Ohme covers the SIM cost for the first 3 years of ownership. After that, the SIM running cost becomes the owner's responsibility.

Is the Ohme ePod really only the size of an A4 sheet?

Yes — the Ohme ePod is 230mm × 140mm × 100mm and weighs just 1.48kg. It's the smallest and lightest smart home EV charger available in the UK by a significant margin.

Can you get the Ohme ePod in a tethered version?

No. The Ohme ePod is untethered (socket) only. If a tethered charger is needed, the Ohme Home Pro is available in tethered format — or the Fast Amps Alpha7, which is available in both.

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