A £157 Gap Between Tomorrow's Tech and Today's Practicality
These two chargers occupy opposite ends of the design philosophy spectrum. The Zaptec Go 2 is a Scandinavian-designed, V2G-ready unit that bets on the future. The EO Mini Pro 3 is a tiny British charger that focuses on doing the basics well right now — with solar diversion and smart tariff support baked in at a lower price.
In a nutshell:
- Zaptec Go 2: V2G-ready with free 4G and a MID-approved meter — built for where EV charging is heading
- EO Mini Pro 3: The UK's smallest charger with solar diversion included and a £157 lower price tag
Is the Zaptec Go 2's V2G Worth Paying Extra For?
V2G — vehicle-to-grid — is the Zaptec's headline feature. The idea is compelling: your Tesla becomes a battery that feeds energy back to the grid during peak demand, earning you money. The problem? V2G over AC is still largely theoretical in the UK. There are no widely available domestic V2G tariffs, and Tesla itself hasn't yet enabled bidirectional AC charging on its vehicles. You're paying a premium today for something that might pay off in two, three, or five years.
That said, the Zaptec does bundle some genuinely useful extras. The subscription-free 4G means it works reliably without your home Wi-Fi — a real advantage if your charger is far from your router or your broadband is patchy. The MID-approved energy meter is handy if you need certified readings for expense claims or landlord billing. These aren't just future promises; they work today. Whether they're worth £157 more than the EO depends on how much you value connectivity resilience and metering accuracy.
Does the EO Mini Pro 3's Size Actually Matter?
At 215mm × 140mm, the EO Mini Pro 3 is genuinely A5-sized. If you've got a narrow pillar between your garage door and your neighbour's wall, or a tight spot inside a car port, it may be the only charger that physically fits. That's not a niche concern — awkward installation locations are surprisingly common, and a smaller unit can sometimes save hundreds in installation costs by avoiding cable rerouting.
Beyond the size advantage, the EO packs in a CT clamp for solar diversion as standard. If you have panels on your roof, surplus generation automatically routes to your car without buying additional hardware. It's not as sophisticated as a myenergi Zappi setup with full eco modes, but it's included in the box at £550. For a household already generating solar, that's a meaningful feature at this price point. Check our solar charger guide for a deeper comparison of diversion options.
Smart Tariff Support: Both Capable, Different Approaches
Neither charger is an Ohme-level smart tariff optimizer, but both offer scheduled charging that works with off-peak windows. The EO Mini Pro 3 has presets for Octopus Go, EDF Go Electric, and others — set your tariff and it handles the timing. It also integrates with British Gas Hive Power+, which credits back 25% of charging costs if you're in that ecosystem.
The Zaptec Go 2 supports scheduled charging through its app and is OCPP 1.6J compliant, meaning it can talk to third-party energy management platforms. That's more of an enthusiast feature — useful if you're running a home energy management system, less relevant if you just want to plug in and charge cheap overnight. For most people, the EO's preset approach is simpler and more immediately useful. If smart tariff savings are your top priority, though, the Ohme Home Pro outperforms both — see our best smart charger guide.
The Untethered Question
The Zaptec Go 2 is untethered only — no built-in cable. You'll need to buy and carry a Type 2 cable separately, which typically adds £100-200 and means coiling and uncoiling every time you charge. Some people prefer untethered for a cleaner wall-mounted look, or because they charge multiple EVs with different cable lengths. But for a single-Tesla household, the EO's 5-metre tethered cable is far more convenient. Grab, plug, done.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Zaptec Go 2 if:
- You want to be ready for V2G the moment it arrives in the UK
- Your charger location has poor Wi-Fi and you need reliable 4G without a subscription
- You need a MID-approved meter for billing or expense purposes
- You prefer an untethered socket for multi-vehicle flexibility
Buy the EO Mini Pro 3 if:
- You have a tight installation space where every millimetre counts
- You want solar diversion included without paying extra for hardware
- You'd rather save £157 upfront (plus the cost of a cable)
- Convenience matters — a tethered cable is just easier day-to-day
For most Tesla owners with a standard single-phase supply and a straightforward driveway install, the EO Mini Pro 3 is the smarter purchase. It costs less, charges at virtually the same speed, includes a cable and solar diversion, and does everything a typical household needs. The Zaptec Go 2 is a bet on the future — and it might well pay off — but right now, the EO delivers more for less.