Two British Underdogs With Very Different Bets on the Future
This is an unusual comparison. Neither the Zaptec Go 2 nor the Indra Smart PRO is a household name in the UK charger market — both sit in the shadow of Ohme and myenergi. But they've each taken a distinct gamble on what EV owners will want next, and that makes the choice between them surprisingly revealing about what kind of buyer you are.
In a nutshell:
- Zaptec Go 2: V2G-ready hardware with free 4G and three-phase capability — a long-term technology bet at £707
- Indra Smart PRO: Practical savings today with included surge protection and solar CT clamp — solid value at £599
Does V2G Readiness Actually Justify the Zaptec Go 2's Price?
The Zaptec Go 2's headline feature is that it's the UK's first V2G-ready AC home charger. That sounds exciting — your Tesla feeding power back to the grid during peak hours, earning you money while you sleep. The problem? V2G is still largely theoretical for most UK households. You need a compatible vehicle, a participating energy supplier, and regulatory frameworks that are still being worked out.
At £707, you're paying a £108 premium over the Indra for a feature you can't actually use yet. If V2G takes off in the next two to three years, you'll look like a genius. If it stalls — and emerging tech often does — you've overpaid for an untethered charger with a basic app. The free 4G connectivity is a genuine perk (no reliance on your home Wi-Fi, no subscription), and the MID-approved energy meter is handy for accurate cost tracking. But these don't fully close the gap for buyers who want value right now.
How Much Does the Indra Smart PRO's Included SPD Actually Save?
Here's where the Indra makes its case in pounds and pence. Surge protection devices are now required under 18th Edition wiring regulations for EV charger installations. Most chargers don't include one, so your installer adds it separately — typically £100 to £150 on top of the quoted installation cost.
The Indra Smart PRO bundles the SPD in. It also includes a CT clamp for solar diversion, which is another £50-80 accessory with other chargers. Add those up and the Indra's effective hardware cost drops to roughly £370-450 — comfortably into budget charger territory but with mid-range features. If you've got solar panels or are considering them, the included CT clamp makes the Indra a straightforward choice without needing to source extra kit. Our solar charger guide covers this in more detail.
Tethered vs Untethered: A Bigger Deal Than It Sounds
The Zaptec Go 2 is untethered only — you supply your own Type 2 cable. The Indra comes tethered with a 6-metre cable. For daily convenience with a Tesla, tethered wins. You pull up, grab the cable, plug in. No fishing a cable out of the boot, no coiling it back up in the rain.
Untethered has its advantages — you can use different cable lengths, and the unit looks cleaner on the wall. The Zaptec's compact 3.2 kg body and Scandinavian design certainly look the part. But if convenience matters more than aesthetics, the Indra's grab-and-go cable is hard to argue against.
Smart Features: Neither Leads the Pack
Let's be honest — if smart tariff automation is your priority, neither of these chargers should be your first choice. The Ohme Home Pro is significantly better at squeezing every penny from variable tariffs like Octopus Agile. You can compare options in our smart tariff guide.
That said, the Indra does offer direct smart tariff integration with major UK providers, and its dynamic load balancing protects your home's electrical supply during charging. The Zaptec counters with OCPP 1.6J compliance, meaning it can talk to third-party energy management systems — useful if you're building a more complex home energy setup. Both apps are functional but basic compared to market leaders.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Zaptec Go 2 if:
- You want to be ready for V2G the moment it becomes viable
- You have or plan to install a three-phase supply
- You prefer untethered charging and own a good Type 2 cable
- Reliable 4G connectivity matters more to you than Wi-Fi dependence
Buy the Indra Smart PRO if:
- You want the lowest total cost including installation (SPD included saves £100-150)
- You have solar panels or plan to add them (CT clamp included)
- You prefer the convenience of a tethered cable
- You'd rather save money today than pay for features that don't exist yet
For most Tesla owners on a single-phase supply, the Indra Smart PRO is the more rational purchase. It costs less upfront, saves more on installation, and includes solar hardware that the Zaptec charges extra for. The Zaptec Go 2 is a more interesting product — but interesting and practical aren't always the same thing. Unless V2G readiness is a genuine priority for you, put that £108 saving towards a better smart energy tariff instead.