Fast Amps Alpha7 vs myenergi Zappi GLO | EV Charger Comparison UK 2026

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs myenergi Zappi GLO | EV Charger Comparison UK 2026
EV Charger Comparison · UK 2026

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs myenergi Zappi GLO: Which EV Charger Is Better?

The myenergi Zappi GLO is the 2025 redesign of the UK's best-loved solar EV charger — screen-free, more compact, and 35% lower embodied carbon than its predecessor. The Fast Amps Alpha7 is UK-built from £399 with solar included as standard. Here's how they compare.

✓ Best value: Fast Amps Alpha7 — Best solar diversion: myenergi Zappi GLO
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Quick verdict: The Zappi GLO (launched June 2025) is the most capable solar-diversion charger on the UK market — its Eco+ mode remains best-in-class. But at £599 it costs £200 more than the Alpha7, is tethered only, still requires an external PME device, and lacks Ethernet. The Alpha7 is the better choice for most homes; the Zappi GLO is worth the premium specifically for solar-first households who want the best possible solar self-consumption.
🇬🇧 Both UK-built7.4kW outputSolar ECO/ECO+ (Zappi GLO)Solar standard (Alpha7)Built-in PEN protection (Alpha7)App-managed (both)
Fast Amps Alpha7 EV Charger
Fast Amps Alpha7UK-designed & manufactured in Shrewsbury · From £399
myenergi Zappi GLO EV Charger
myenergi Zappi GLOUK-designed & manufactured in Dorset · From £599 · 7kW tethered · Screen-free · IP65

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Fast Amps Alpha7 myenergi Zappi GLO
Max output 7.4kW (32A) 7kW (tethered 6.5m cable)
Solar integration Dynamic solar — standard ECO and ECO+ modes — best-in-class
Built-in PEN fault protection Yes — no earth rod required No — external device required on PME supplies
Connectivity WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet (no 4G)
Tethered / untethered Both available Tethered only (6.5m cable)
On-charger display LED indicators Screen-free — LED halo only
myenergi ecosystem Not compatible eddi, libbi, Harvi integration
Octopus Intelligent Scheduled charging via app Direct API integration
RFID access control App-based locking RFID — up to 126 users
IP rating IP54 IP65
Warranty 3 years 3 years
UK-manufactured Yes — Shrewsbury 🇬🇧 Yes — Dorset 🇬🇧
Price (charger only) From £399 £599
📖 Plain English

Both chargers are proudly UK-built. The Zappi GLO costs £200 more, requires a PME device, and is tethered only — but its Eco+ solar mode is genuinely unmatched: it charges your car exclusively from surplus solar generation, stopping and starting automatically as output fluctuates. If you have solar panels and maximising self-consumption is the priority, the Zappi GLO is worth every penny of that premium. If you want reliable solar charging at a lower price, the Alpha7 does an excellent job.

What's New in the Zappi GLO vs the Old Zappi v2?

The Zappi GLO launched in June 2025 as a significant redesign. Key changes include: a screen-free design (configured entirely via app), a more compact and modern housing (439mm × 282mm × 122mm), IP65 weatherproofing (up from IP65 on the v2), a soft LED halo status display, 35% lower embodied carbon in manufacturing, and RFID access for up to 126 users. The ECO and ECO+ solar modes remain — refined but fundamentally the same best-in-class solar diversion capability.

The Zappi GLO is available in 7kW single-phase only (no 22kW three-phase at launch). It is tethered with a 6.5m Type 2 cable. Priced at £599, it remains at a similar level to the outgoing v2.

Why the screen removal matters The Zappi v2's LCD screen allowed on-charger mode switching without a phone. The GLO removes this in favour of a cleaner aesthetic — all configuration is now app-based. Most users won't miss it, but those who occasionally changed settings without a phone nearby may find it a step backwards.

Solar Integration: ECO+ vs Dynamic Clamp

The Zappi GLO's Eco+ mode remains the gold standard. Set to Eco+, it charges the car only from surplus solar — tracking export to grid in real time and adjusting charge rate continuously. If solar output drops below the minimum charge current, it stops entirely. When generation rises, it starts again. For maximising solar self-consumption, nothing else works as well.

The Alpha7's solar mode uses a current clamp to match charge rate to solar generation, updating up to 4 times per second. It works well for most solar setups and delivers solid solar self-consumption. The practical difference from Zappi's Eco+ is marginal for most homes — but Zappi's implementation is more refined and integrates with the broader myenergi ecosystem (eddi, libbi battery) for whole-home energy management.

PME: An Alpha7 Advantage

The Alpha7 has built-in PEN fault detection — no earth rod or external PME device needed on PME supplies. The Zappi GLO does not — despite being a 2025 redesign. An external PME device must still be installed on most UK domestic properties, adding £100–£200 to the total installed cost.

Which Should You Choose?

Our Verdict

Choose Fast Amps Alpha7 if…

  • Value is the priority
  • Good solar charging without Zappi premium
  • PME compliance savings matter
  • Untethered charging preferred
  • No myenergi ecosystem planned

Choose Zappi GLO if…

  • Maximising solar self-consumption is priority
  • myenergi ecosystem (eddi, libbi) in use
  • Octopus Intelligent direct API wanted
  • RFID multi-user access needed
  • IP65 weatherproofing required

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zappi GLO — is it the Zappi v3?
The Zappi GLO is myenergi's 2025 redesign of the Zappi, launched June 2025. It's not officially called v3 — myenergi branded it "GLO". Key changes include a screen-free design, IP65 rating, LED halo display, RFID access, and 35% lower embodied carbon. The ECO and ECO+ solar modes remain.
Does the Zappi GLO need an earth rod on a PME supply?
Yes. Despite being a 2025 redesign, the Zappi GLO still does not include built-in PEN fault protection. An external PME protection device or earth rod is required on PME (TN-C-S) supplies. The Fast Amps Alpha7 has this built in.
Is the Zappi GLO available untethered?
No. The Zappi GLO launched as tethered only, with a 6.5m Type 2 cable. The Fast Amps Alpha7 is available in both tethered and untethered configurations.
How does the Alpha7's solar mode compare to the Zappi GLO's Eco+?
The Zappi GLO's Eco+ mode is best-in-class — charging only from surplus solar generation with seamless start/stop. The Alpha7's solar mode is effective for most residential solar setups but less refined. For maximum solar self-consumption, Zappi GLO wins. For good-enough solar at a lower price, Alpha7 is excellent.
How much does the Zappi GLO cost?
The myenergi Zappi GLO is priced at £599 — £200 more than the Fast Amps Alpha7 (from £399). On a PME supply, add an external PME protection device (typically £100–£150) for compliance.
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