Does the Alpha7 need an earth rod?

No. Built-in PEN fault detection — no external PME device required.

Can Zaptec Go 2 do V2G now?

The hardware is certified but V2G is not yet available in usable form in the UK as of 2026.

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Zaptec Go 2: Which EV Charger Is Better?

Q: Does the Zaptec Go 2 include solar?

Solar requires the optional Zaptec Sense add-on. Alpha7 includes solar as standard.

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Zaptec Go 2 | EV Charger Comparison UK 2026

EV Charger Comparison · UK 2026

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Zaptec Go 2: Which EV Charger Is Better?

The Fast Amps Alpha7 is a UK-built smart home charger offering excellent value and solid solar integration. The Zaptec Go 2 is a Norwegian-designed ultra-compact charger with V2G-ready hardware, a MID-certified energy meter, built-in 4G, and a 5-year warranty — but solar requires an optional extra.

✓ Best UK-built value: Fast Amps Alpha7 — Best future-proofing: Zaptec Go 2

Expert EV Charging Knowledge Competitive Prices via Volume Buying Fast UK Dispatch UK-Based Support Team Championing British Manufacturing

Quick verdict: The Fast Amps Alpha7 is the better choice for most domestic installs — solar integration standard, lower price, Ethernet, UK manufacturing, and a cleaner commissioning experience. The Zaptec Go 2 justifies its premium for specific use cases: V2G-anticipating buyers, those needing legally certified energy metering, and installations in poor-WiFi locations where built-in 4G earns its keep.

🇬🇧 UK-built Alpha7🇳🇴 Norwegian Zaptec7.4kW outputV2G-ready (Zaptec)Built-in 4G (Zaptec)MID meter (Zaptec)

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

Zaptec Go 2Norwegian-designed · V2G-ready · MID meter · 4G built-in · 5-year warranty · From approx. £580+

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Fast Amps Alpha7	Zaptec Go 2
Max output	7.4kW (32A)	7.4kW single / 22kW three-phase (auto-switch)
Solar integration	Dynamic solar — standard	Via optional Zaptec Sense add-on
V2G ready	No	Yes — hardware certified, feature pending UK availability
MID-certified energy meter	No	Yes — legally certified kWh readings
Built-in PEN fault protection	Yes — no earth rod required	Yes — integrated PME detection
Connectivity	WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet	WiFi + built-in 4G LTE (free for life)
Tethered / untethered	Both available	Untethered only (socket)
Warranty	3 years	5 years
UK-manufactured	Yes — Shrewsbury	Norwegian-designed, manufactured overseas
OCPP 1.6J	No	Yes
Colour options	Standard housing	6 colour fascias available
Price (charger only)	From £399	From approx. £580+

📖 Plain English

The Zaptec Go 2 is essentially a bet on the future — particularly V2G (vehicle-to-grid), where your EV battery can sell power back to the grid during peak hours. The hardware is certified and ready; the UK infrastructure (tariffs, compatible cars, DNO sign-off) isn't there yet. If you believe V2G will arrive within this charger's lifetime, Zaptec's future-proofing is genuinely compelling. If you just want an excellent, reliable home charger made in Britain with solar included as standard, the Alpha7 wins comfortably at £180+ less.

Where Fast Amps Alpha7 Has the Edge

☀️

Solar — Standard

Solar integration is included as standard on Alpha7. Zaptec requires the optional Zaptec Sense add-on for solar capability.

🇬🇧

UK-Manufactured

Designed and built in Shrewsbury. Buying Alpha7 keeps manufacturing investment in the UK.

💷

Lower Price

From £399 vs Zaptec's £580+, and with solar included. The price gap widens further when the Zaptec Sense solar add-on is needed.

🌐

Ethernet Available

Wired network connectivity as standard. Zaptec uses WiFi as primary with 4G fallback — but no Ethernet option.

🔌

Tethered Option Available

Alpha7 available tethered or untethered. Zaptec Go 2 is untethered (socket) only.

🔧

Simpler Installation

Bluetooth commissioning — no WiFi needed on site. Faster, cleaner installs with no customer credentials required.

Where Zaptec Go 2 Has the Edge

V2G-ready hardware: Certified to ISO 15118-20 for future vehicle-to-grid operation. The Alpha7 has no V2G roadmap. For buyers who want to future-proof against V2G tariffs, this is the only current home charger with certified hardware.
MID-certified energy meter: Legally certified kWh readings — important for business mileage reimbursement, ERE certification, or any situation where metering accuracy needs to be legally verifiable.
Built-in 4G LTE (free for life): No dependence on home WiFi. Particularly valuable in garages, outbuildings, or rural locations.
5-year warranty: Two years longer than Alpha7's 3-year warranty.
OCPP 1.6J: Open protocol support for fleet and energy management integration.
Three-phase auto-switching: Automatically switches between 7.4kW single-phase and 22kW three-phase depending on available supply.

V2G: A Genuine Future-Proofing Argument

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology — where your EV exports stored energy back to the grid during peak periods — could earn UK drivers an estimated £320 per year by 2030 according to Cornwall Insight research. The Zaptec Go 2 is currently the only mainstream home EV charger with certified V2G hardware (ISO 15118-20 compliant).

However, V2G is not yet available in usable form in the UK. It requires compatible vehicles (limited list), V2G energy tariffs (none widely available), and Distribution Network Operator approval. Buying the Zaptec Go 2 for V2G today means paying a premium for a feature that doesn't yet exist in practice.

The Fast Amps Alpha7 has no V2G roadmap. If V2G becomes mainstream within the next 5 years, Alpha7 owners would need to replace their charger to participate. That's a real consideration for long-term planning.

Which Should You Choose?

Our Verdict

Choose Fast Amps Alpha7 if…

Solar integration standard is important
UK manufacturing matters to you
Lower price is a priority
Tethered charging preferred
V2G timeline scepticism

Choose Zaptec Go 2 if…

V2G future-proofing is compelling
MID-certified metering needed
Poor WiFi at install location
5-year warranty preferred
OCPP integration required

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Fast Amps Alpha7 need an earth rod on a PME supply?

No. The Alpha7 includes built-in PEN fault detection in accordance with BS 7671 Section 722. No external PME device or earth rod is required.

Does the Zaptec Go 2 need an earth rod?

No. The Zaptec Go 2 includes integrated PME detection, satisfying BS 7671 requirements without an earth rod on PME supplies.

Does the Zaptec Go 2 include solar integration?

Solar integration on the Zaptec Go 2 requires the optional Zaptec Sense add-on, which is not included in the base price. The Fast Amps Alpha7 includes solar integration as standard.

Can the Zaptec Go 2 do V2G now?

The Zaptec Go 2 has V2G-certified hardware (ISO 15118-20), but V2G is not yet available in usable form in the UK as of 2026. It requires compatible vehicles, V2G energy tariffs, and DNO approval — none of which are widely available. It is hardware-ready, not feature-active.

What is MID-certified metering and why does it matter?

MID (Measuring Instruments Directive) certification means the energy meter meets the same legally verified standard as utility billing meters. This matters for business mileage reimbursement claims, ERE (Electricity Reimbursement Evidence) certification, and any commercial context where metering accuracy needs to be legally verifiable. Most home chargers do not have MID-certified meters. The Zaptec Go 2 does; the Alpha7 does not.