myenergi Zappi GLO vs Rolec EVO: Two Solar Chargers, One Clear Winner

Two Solar Chargers at Very Different Prices — Which Deserves Your Driveway?

This is a comparison most people wouldn't think to make, but probably should. The myenergi Zappi GLO has long been the default recommendation for solar panel owners. The Rolec EVO, meanwhile, is a relative newcomer that quietly matches many of the Zappi's headline features — including solar diversion — for £150 less. At £449 versus £599, that gap demands scrutiny.

In a nutshell:

• myenergi Zappi GLO: The ecosystem play — best if you own (or plan to own) other myenergi products like the eddi or libbi
• Rolec EVO: The value play — comparable solar modes, longer warranty, and built-in PEN fault detection for £150 less

Does the Rolec EVO Really Match the Zappi GLO on Solar?

For years, the Zappi stood alone as the only serious solar-diverting EV charger. That's no longer the case. The Rolec EVO includes both Eco and Eco+ modes — the same naming convention myenergi uses — and ships with a CT clamp for monitoring your home's energy generation and consumption. In Eco+ mode, both chargers will charge exclusively from surplus solar, meaning free miles from your roof.

The Zappi GLO's solar advantage is contextual rather than technical. If you already have a myenergi eddi diverting surplus solar to your hot water tank, adding the Zappi GLO means one app, one ecosystem, and intelligent prioritisation across all your devices. The libbi home battery slots in too. That integrated energy management across generation, storage, hot water, and EV charging is something Rolec simply can't replicate. But if you just want a charger that waits for spare solar before topping up your Tesla, the EVO does that perfectly well.

Is the Zappi GLO Worth £150 More Than the Rolec EVO?

Strip away the ecosystem argument and the maths get uncomfortable for myenergi. The Rolec EVO includes built-in PME/PEN fault detection, which typically saves £100–200 on installation because you won't need a separate PEN device or earth rod. Factor that in and the real-world cost difference between these two chargers could be £250–350 — not trivial.

The EVO also includes dynamic load balancing as standard (CT clamp in the box), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Ethernet, and OCPP 1.6J support. That last one matters if you ever want to switch charging platforms or integrate with third-party energy management systems. The Zappi GLO has no OCPP support — you're locked into the myenergi app.

Then there's warranty. Rolec backs the EVO for five years. myenergi gives you three. For a product bolted to your wall and exposed to British weather, those extra two years count.

The Trade-offs: Tethered Cable and App Quality

The Rolec EVO is untethered only. There's no option for a permanently attached cable, and the unit lacks a cable locking mechanism. If you share a driveway or park on a street-facing drive, that's a security consideration. The Zappi GLO comes in both tethered and untethered versions, with the tethered model including a 6.5-metre cable — convenient and one less thing to buy separately.

On software, neither charger is best-in-class. The myenergi app has improved significantly but still feels clunky compared to what you'll find from Ohme or Tesla. The Rolec EVO app is newer and less mature still — early adopters report occasional rough edges. Both support smart tariff scheduling, though the Zappi GLO's Intelligent Octopus Go compatibility is better documented and more widely tested.

One more physical note: the Rolec EVO is remarkably compact at 260mm × 260mm and just 3 kg. It's roughly half the weight of the Zappi GLO. If aesthetics and unobtrusiveness matter to you, the EVO's Red Dot Award-winning design is the tidier unit on a wall.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the myenergi Zappi GLO if:

• You already own or plan to buy myenergi products (eddi, libbi) for whole-home energy management
• You want a tethered charger with a permanently attached cable
• You need RFID access for up to 126 users on a shared driveway or small business
• You value the Zappi's longer track record and larger user community

Buy the Rolec EVO if:

• You want solar diversion without paying a premium for ecosystem features you won't use
• You want to minimise installation costs with built-in PEN fault detection
• A 5-year warranty matters more to you than brand recognition
• You prefer an untethered socket for flexibility across multiple vehicles or cable lengths

For most buyers choosing between these two on a standalone basis — no eddi, no libbi, just a charger and some solar panels — the Rolec EVO is the smarter spend. You get equivalent solar modes, a longer warranty, lower installation costs, and £150 back in your pocket. The Zappi GLO earns its price only when it's part of something bigger. If you're building a full myenergi energy system, it's the right choice. If you're just charging a car from the sun, the EVO does the job for less. For more options, see our best EV charger for solar panels guide.