Three bidirectional chargers, three price points, two technology types. The Wallbox Quasar 2 is a high-power DC unit aimed at those who want maximum capability and have a compatible CCS2 vehicle. The NexBlue Point 2 and Zaptec Go 2 are AC bidirectional chargers aimed at buyers who want a more affordable entry into V2H and V2G. Choosing between them comes down to your car, your budget, and how you plan to use bidirectional capability.
Before comparing the three, there is one important editorial note. The search term “Powerverse review” alongside bidirectional chargers appears in online research, but Powerverse does not manufacture a V2H or V2G-capable product in the UK market as of May 2026. It is a standard smart charger. Similarly, the Indra Smart PRO is a well-regarded unidirectional charger — the Indra V2H trial closed to new applicants in 2024, and no commercial Indra V2H product is currently on sale. This comparison focuses on the three genuinely available bidirectional options: Quasar 2, NexBlue Point 2, and Zaptec Go 2.
Key Takeaways
- DC bidirectional chargers (Quasar 2, ~£6,100) offer higher power and broader CCS2 vehicle compatibility
- AC bidirectional chargers (NexBlue Point 2 ~£530, Zaptec Go 2 ~£707) are cheaper but need ISO 15118-20 vehicle support
- The Wallbox Quasar 2 is pre-registration only in the UK as of May 2026
- NexBlue Point 2 is the most affordable AC bidirectional option, with a 5-year warranty and built-in 4G
- Zaptec Go 2 is the UK’s first certified V2G-ready AC charger and is OZEV grant eligible
- None of these three chargers currently work with the Octopus Power Pack V2G tariff
AC vs DC bidirectional — why the technology split matters
The most important decision you make before choosing a bidirectional charger is whether to go AC or DC. Everything else — price, vehicle compatibility, power output — flows from this choice.
DC bidirectional (Wallbox Quasar 2): Power conversion happens inside the charger itself. The charger converts grid AC to DC for charging, and converts your battery’s DC back to AC for export. Because the conversion is in the box, DC bidirectional chargers work with a wider range of CCS2 vehicles — any car that supports bidirectional firmware via CCS can theoretically connect. The trade-off is cost: DC bidirectional units are significantly more expensive and more complex to install.
AC bidirectional (NexBlue Point 2, Zaptec Go 2): The power conversion happens inside the vehicle’s onboard charger, using the ISO 15118-20 communication protocol. The charger hardware is simpler and cheaper, but the vehicle itself must support AC bidirectional charging — and currently, very few UK EVs have this capability enabled. This is the key limitation of AC bidirectional products right now.
| Technology | Example | Power | Vehicle requirement | G99 for V2G? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC bidirectional | Wallbox Quasar 2 | 11.5kW | CCS2 + bidirectional firmware | Yes |
| AC bidirectional | NexBlue Point 2 / Zaptec Go 2 | 7.4kW | ISO 15118-20 vehicle | Yes |
Both AC and DC bidirectional chargers require G99 DNO approval before V2G (grid export) can begin. V2H use — where power stays within your home and is not exported — generally does not require G99. Confirm the position with your installer before ordering.
Wallbox Quasar 2
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | DC bidirectional |
| Power | 11.5kW (up to 12.8kW throughput) |
| Connector | CCS2 socket |
| V2H | Yes |
| V2G | Yes |
| Round-trip efficiency | >97% |
| Confirmed compatible vehicles | Kia EV9, Cupra Born 77kWh (more expected) |
| UK availability | Pre-registration only (May 2026) |
| Approx. unit price | ~£6,100 |
| Approx. total installed | £7,600–£9,100+ |
The Quasar 2 is the most capable home bidirectional charger heading to UK walls. At 11.5kW DC throughput and a round-trip efficiency of over 97%, less than 3% of your battery’s energy is lost in each direction of transfer. The CCS2 socket means compatibility extends to most new EVs on the charge side — and as manufacturers enable bidirectional firmware, the list of supported V2H and V2G vehicles will grow.
The significant caveat for UK buyers: as of May 2026, the Wallbox UK website offers only a pre-registration waiting list for the Quasar 2. There is no firm sterling price confirmed and no checkout. Figures vary — verify current availability and price at wallbox.com before making any decisions. Installation for a DC unit of this power level typically adds £1,500 to £3,000 on top of the unit cost.
Best for: buyers with a compatible CCS2 vehicle, a larger budget, and the patience to wait for UK availability.
NexBlue Point 2
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | AC bidirectional |
| Power | 7.4kW |
| Connector | Type 2 socket |
| Protocol | ISO 15118-20, OCPP 2.0.1 |
| V2H | Yes (with compatible vehicle) |
| V2G | Yes (with compatible vehicle + DNO approval) |
| Connectivity | Built-in 4G eSIM (lifetime free) |
| Energy meter | MID-certified |
| Solar integration | CT clamp included |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Approx. unit price | ~£530 |
| Approx. total installed | ~£930–£1,130 |
The NexBlue Point 2 is currently the most affordable home charger with full AC bidirectional capability available in the UK. At around £530 for the unit, it undercuts the Zaptec Go 2 by roughly £177 and the Quasar 2 by over £5,500.
The feature set is punchy for the price. ISO 15118-20 support means it has the right hardware for bidirectional AC charging and Plug and Charge where supported. OCPP 2.0.1 alongside OCPP 1.6J is a more future-ready protocol stack than most competitors at this level. The built-in 4G eSIM provides connectivity without relying on your home Wi-Fi — useful for rural installations or units on external walls far from the router. A CT clamp is included in the box, enabling solar-matched charging without extra hardware. MID-certified metering provides legally accurate readings.
The vehicle compatibility caveat applies: AC bidirectional over ISO 15118-20 requires a vehicle that supports this protocol for bidirectional energy flow. This is currently limited to a small number of models. Confirm your specific vehicle’s compatibility with NexBlue before ordering.
Best for: budget-conscious buyers with a compatible AC bidirectional EV who want a well-specified charger without paying a DC premium.
Zaptec Go 2
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | AC bidirectional |
| Power | 7.4kW (single phase) / 22kW (three phase) |
| Phase switching | Automatic |
| Protocol | ISO 15118-20 + PLC module |
| V2H | Yes (with compatible vehicle) |
| V2G | Yes (UK’s first certified V2G-ready AC charger) |
| Connectivity | Subscription-free 4G |
| Energy meter | MID-approved |
| Weight | 3.2kg |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| OZEV grant eligible | Yes |
| Approx. unit price | ~£707 |
| Approx. total installed | ~£1,100–£1,300 |
Zaptec describes the Go 2 as the UK’s first certified V2G-ready AC home charger. The ISO 15118-20 support combined with a Power Line Communication (PLC) module provides the hardware and software foundation required for AC V2G energy flow. Auto phase-switching between 7.4kW and 22kW is a useful addition for homes with three-phase supply — it means the Go 2 can scale up if your installation supports it.
The Go 2 is OZEV grant eligible, which matters for renters and flat owners who qualify for the £500 EV chargepoint grant. Figures vary — verify current eligibility at gov.uk before applying.
As with the NexBlue, the vehicle compatibility caveat applies. V2G over AC requires a compatible vehicle, an approved V2G tariff from a supplier, and DNO approval — none of which are widely available as of May 2026. The Go 2 is V2G-ready hardware; the ecosystem around it is still building.
Best for: buyers who want the most established AC V2G brand with a potential three-phase upgrade path and OZEV grant eligibility.
Which bidirectional charger should you choose?
| Your situation | Recommended charger |
|---|---|
| Budget under £1,100 total, AC-compatible bidirectional EV | NexBlue Point 2 |
| Want AC V2G, OZEV grant eligible, potential 3-phase | Zaptec Go 2 |
| CCS2 EV, want maximum power, cost is secondary | Wallbox Quasar 2 (when available in UK) |
| Want to join Octopus Power Pack today | Zaptec Pro (BYD Dolphin) or Quasar v1 (Nissan Leaf) — not these three |
That last row is important. None of the Quasar 2, NexBlue Point 2, or Zaptec Go 2 are currently compatible with the Octopus Power Pack V2G tariff. Octopus Power Pack works with the Zaptec Pro paired with a BYD Dolphin, or the Wallbox Quasar v1 paired with a Nissan Leaf, e-NV200, or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. If joining Power Pack today is your primary goal, your charger choice is dictated by that setup.
For the full picture of what’s available, see our guide to the best V2G chargers in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest bidirectional EV charger in the UK?
The NexBlue Point 2 is currently the most affordable AC bidirectional charger in the UK, at around £530 for the unit before installation. It supports ISO 15118-20 for V2G capability and includes a 5-year warranty, built-in 4G, and a CT clamp for solar integration. Vehicle compatibility is limited to models that support bidirectional AC charging.
Is the Wallbox Quasar 2 available to buy in the UK?
As of May 2026, the Wallbox Quasar 2 is in a pre-registration phase in the UK. You can join a waiting list on Wallbox’s UK website, but no firm order or confirmed sterling price is available. Figures vary — check wallbox.com for the latest availability before planning around this product.
Do bidirectional chargers need DNO approval?
V2G (exporting to the grid) requires G99 approval from your Distribution Network Operator. V2H use — where energy stays within your property and is not exported to the grid — generally does not require G99, though you should confirm with your installer and DNO before proceeding. See our best V2G chargers in the UK guide for more detail on installation requirements.