myenergi Zappi GLO EV Charger: Full Review for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

The myenergi Zappi GLO is one of the more talked about home EV chargers on the market, largely because of its solar and battery integration features. This review looks at what it actually does, how it performs day to day, and what it costs to have installed in Aberdeen. We are Myenergi Zappi Approved installers, so this review is based on units we have fitted and supported across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

What the Zappi GLO Is

The Zappi GLO is myenergi’s home EV charger, designed to work as a standalone smart charger or as part of a wider home energy setup alongside solar panels and battery storage. It is a 7kW single phase unit suitable for the vast majority of UK domestic properties, and it is built with an integrated display that shows live charging status directly on the unit itself, alongside app based control through the myenergi app.

The core idea behind the Zappi range is flexibility. It works perfectly well as a simple mains powered charger if that is all you need, but it is built to make the most of solar generation if you have panels, or to add value later if you install panels or a battery after the charger.

The Three Charging Modes

The Zappi GLO offers three main charging modes, and understanding the difference between them is the key to getting the most out of the unit.

Fast Mode

This charges your vehicle at the maximum rate available from your supply, drawing directly from the grid regardless of solar generation. This is the mode to use when you need your car charged quickly, for example ahead of an early start the next morning, and it behaves like a conventional, straightforward EV charger.

Eco Mode

Eco mode blends grid and solar power, prioritising available solar generation but topping up from the grid as needed to maintain a steady charging rate. This suits households who want a reasonable balance between charging speed and using available solar generation, without the charging session stopping and starting every time a cloud passes overhead.

Eco+ Mode

Eco+ mode charges using only surplus solar generation, meaning power that is not currently being used elsewhere in the home. If there is not enough surplus solar available, charging pauses rather than drawing from the grid. This mode maximises the use of free solar generation but means charging speed is entirely dependent on weather and your home’s other electricity use at the time.

Switching between these modes is straightforward through the app or the physical controls on the unit itself, so you are not locked into one mode permanently.

Smart Tariff Integration

Many households on time of use electricity tariffs, where electricity is cheaper during specific overnight hours, use the Zappi GLO’s scheduling feature to automatically charge during the cheapest available window. This is set up once through the app and then runs automatically, which is one of the more genuinely useful features for anyone not using solar integration at all.

If you are still deciding on a tariff or charger setup, it is worth researching current time of use tariffs available in your area, since the savings from smart scheduling alone can be significant over a year of regular charging.

Solar Compatibility

The Zappi GLO is designed from the ground up to work with home solar generation, and this is where it distinguishes itself from many simpler EV chargers on the market. Using Eco or Eco+ mode, the charger continuously monitors your home’s solar generation and adjusts the charging rate in real time to make use of available surplus power.

For households with solar panels already installed, or considering installing them, this can meaningfully reduce the cost of running an electric vehicle, since a portion of your charging comes from generation you already own rather than grid electricity. We cover this integration in more detail in our guide on the Zappi EV charger and solar panels.

It is worth being realistic about this feature. Scottish weather means solar generation varies significantly through the year, and Eco+ mode in particular will be far more useful in summer months than in the depths of winter. Eco mode, which blends solar with grid top up, tends to be the more practical everyday choice for most Aberdeenshire households outside of peak summer months.

The App Experience

The myenergi app is where most day to day interaction with the Zappi GLO happens. It shows live charging status, lets you switch between modes, set schedules, and if you have other myenergi products such as their Eddi hot water diverter, shows your whole home energy picture in one place.

The app is generally reliable and straightforward to use once set up, though like most connected home devices, it does depend on a stable home internet connection for full functionality. The physical unit continues to charge in Fast mode even without an app connection, so a temporary internet outage does not leave you unable to charge your car.

Installation Requirements

Installing a Zappi GLO follows the same core process as any home EV charger. Our electrician will assess your main fuse rating, the condition and spare capacity of your consumer unit, the cable route from your consumer unit to the charging location, and your property’s earthing arrangement, before confirming a fixed quote.

Because the Zappi GLO integrates with solar and battery systems, if you already have or are planning either, it is worth mentioning this at the quote stage, since it can affect the specific installation approach and any additional equipment needed for full integration.

What It Costs Installed in Aberdeen

EV charger installation, including the Zappi GLO, starts from £900 plus VAT for a standard domestic installation. This is a starting price rather than a fixed figure, and your final cost depends on:

• The distance and complexity of the cable run from your consumer unit to the charger location.
• Whether your existing consumer unit needs upgrading first to accommodate the new circuit safely.
• Whether you are integrating with existing solar or battery storage, which can involve additional configuration.
• Your property’s earthing arrangement and any additional protective measures it requires.

If your consumer unit needs upgrading before the charger can be safely installed, that is a separate cost starting from £550 plus VAT for a full RCBO consumer unit, which is the standard we install and the recommended approach for any consumer unit work. We do not fit split load boards, since full RCBO protection on every circuit is the safer, more future proof choice.

How the Zappi GLO Compares to Other Chargers

The Zappi GLO’s main strength is its solar and whole home energy integration, which sets it apart from simpler chargers that only offer basic scheduling. If solar integration is not a priority for you, other approved chargers we install, including Ohme, Andersen EV, and ICS units, may suit your needs just as well, often at a comparable price point.

For a direct comparison covering the practical differences between the main brands we install, see our guide on Zappi vs Ohme vs Easee EV chargers. If you are specifically comparing against the Ohme Home Pro, our dedicated review covers that model in detail: Ohme Home Pro EV charger review for Scotland.

Who the Zappi GLO Suits Best

Based on the installations we have carried out across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, the Zappi GLO tends to suit:

• Households with existing solar panels who want to maximise self consumption of generated electricity.
• Households planning to add solar or battery storage in the near future, where a solar ready charger avoids a second installation later.
• Anyone who wants flexible charging modes rather than a single fixed charging behaviour.

It suits less well households with no interest in solar integration and a simple preference for the cheapest possible straightforward charger, where a more basic unit may be more cost effective.

Ongoing Reliability and Support

As an approved myenergi installer, we handle setup and configuration as part of installation, and we can support with warranty queries or fault diagnosis if issues arise later. Keep your Electrical Installation Certificate from the installation, since this will be needed for any future warranty or insurance related queries.

Physical Build and Placement

The Zappi GLO is designed for outdoor use as standard, with a robust weatherproof housing suitable for wall mounting on an exterior wall, in a garage, or on a dedicated post near a driveway. Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’s exposure to wind driven rain and coastal salt air in areas nearer the coast makes this weatherproofing a genuinely practical feature rather than a marketing point, and it is one of the reasons we are comfortable recommending it for outdoor installation across the region.

Placement matters for day to day convenience as much as for the installation itself. The unit should be positioned so the charging cable comfortably reaches your vehicle’s charging port without excessive stretching or an awkward trailing lead across a driveway or path. Your electrician will discuss placement with you before finalising the installation plan, since moving a charger’s location after installation is a far more involved job than getting it right from the outset.

Running Costs and Efficiency

The Zappi GLO itself does not add meaningful running cost beyond the electricity used for charging, since its own standby power draw is minimal. The real cost variable is how you use its charging modes. Fast mode charging at full rate from the grid, without any time of use tariff consideration, will typically be the most expensive way to charge. Combining Eco mode with a suitable time of use tariff, or using Eco+ mode alongside solar generation where available, meaningfully reduces the average cost per charge over a year.

For households genuinely trying to minimise running costs, it is worth reviewing your electricity tariff alongside your charging habits, since the charger itself is only one half of the cost equation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Zappi GLO work without solar panels?

Yes. It functions as a standard smart charger using Fast mode, with full scheduling functionality, even without any solar or battery system connected. Solar integration is an added feature, not a requirement to use the unit.

Can I add solar panels later and still use Eco+ mode?

Yes, provided the installation is configured correctly at that point to communicate with your solar inverter or generation meter. This is straightforward to arrange as a follow up job.

Is the Zappi GLO eligible for any government grant?

Grant eligibility depends on your personal circumstances rather than the charger model itself. Current home charging grants are generally aimed at renters, flat owners, and landlords rather than most homeowners with off street parking. Check current eligibility on the UK government’s chargepoint grant guidance before assuming your situation qualifies.

How long does installation take?

A standard domestic Zappi GLO installation, where the consumer unit does not need upgrading, is typically completed within a day.

Real World Performance in Scottish Conditions

North east Scotland’s climate brings shorter daylight hours and more overcast days through autumn and winter than much of the rest of the UK, which has a direct effect on how much value solar dependent charging modes deliver across the year. Households relying heavily on Eco+ mode should expect noticeably slower charging, or more frequent pauses, during the darker months, picking up again as daylight hours increase from spring onward.

This is not a flaw specific to the Zappi GLO, it is simply the physical reality of solar generation at this latitude. Setting realistic expectations from the outset, and using Eco mode or scheduled Fast mode charging during winter months, gives a more consistent and less frustrating experience than expecting year round solar only charging to work as well as it does in summer.

Getting Started

For EV charger installation in Aberdeen, including the Zappi GLO and other approved chargers, visit our EV charger Aberdeen page. We also cover Fraserburgh and Ellon, with details on our EV charger Fraserburgh and EV charger Ellon pages. For our full coverage area, see the areas we cover page, or get in touch through our contact page.

For official information on EV charge point installation requirements, see the UK government’s minimum requirements for vehicle charge points and the NICEIC website for verifying approved EV installer registrations.