A bidirectional EV charger installation has two main cost components — the hardware and the labour — plus a third that most buyers do not budget for: the G99 application process if you want vehicle-to-grid (V2G) export capability. Together, these can range from around £1,100 for an entry-level AC setup to over £9,000 for a premium DC installation.
The key distinction from a standard EV charger installation is the specialist knowledge required and, for V2G, the regulatory process that must complete before your system can be energised. A standard 7.4kW home charger can be installed in a few hours by any OZEV-approved electrician. A bidirectional charger requires someone who understands V2H and V2G commissioning, and for V2G use, the work cannot legally begin until your Distribution Network Operator has granted G99 approval.
Key Takeaways
- AC bidirectional chargers cost £530–£707 (unit) plus £600–£1,200 installation, totalling around £1,130–£2,100 all-in
- DC bidirectional chargers such as the Wallbox Quasar 2 cost approximately £6,100 (unit) plus £1,500–£3,000 installation
- G99 approval — needed for V2G grid export — adds 10 to 65 working days before installation can be completed
- V2H (home use only, no grid export) generally does not require G99 — confirm with your installer
- At £620 a year in potential savings, an AC bidirectional setup can pay back in roughly 2–4 years
Bidirectional charger unit costs
The hardware market in 2026 spans two technology types, with very different price points:
| Charger | Type | Power | Approx. unit price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NexBlue Point 2 | AC | 7.4kW | ~£530 | Most affordable; ISO 15118-20; 5-yr warranty |
| Zaptec Go 2 | AC | 7.4/22kW | ~£707 | V2G-ready; OZEV grant eligible |
| Wallbox Quasar 2 | DC | 11.5kW | ~£6,100 | Pre-registration only in UK (May 2026) |
| Zaptec Pro (Octopus bundled) | AC | — | Bundled setup | BYD Dolphin + Octopus Power Pack specific |
Figures vary — verify current prices before ordering. The Wallbox Quasar 2 unit price is based on manufacturer pricing and is subject to change; as of May 2026 the UK product page shows pre-registration only with no confirmed checkout.
AC units are substantially cheaper than DC units. The trade-off is vehicle compatibility: AC bidirectional charging requires ISO 15118-20 support in your car, which currently applies to a limited number of UK EVs. DC bidirectional (Quasar 2) works with a broader range of CCS2-capable vehicles that have bidirectional firmware enabled.
Installation costs
A specialist bidirectional installer charges more than a standard EV charger installer because the commissioning process is more involved. The work includes configuring the V2H or V2G communication protocol, verifying protection settings, and — for V2G — submitting or liaising with your DNO on the G99 application.
| Installation type | Labour and commissioning | Total installed (unit + labour) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard EV charger | £400–£600 | £800–£1,200 |
| AC bidirectional charger | £600–£1,200 | ~£1,130–£2,100 |
| DC bidirectional charger | £1,500–£3,000 | ~£7,600–£9,100+ |
Figures vary — actual costs depend on your property’s existing electrical infrastructure, cable run distance, and any work required on your consumer unit.
Additional costs that may apply but are not always included in a quote:
- Consumer unit upgrade: £300–£800 (not always required — depends on your existing setup)
- Extended cable run (beyond 15m): typically priced per metre
- Groundwork for outdoor cable routes: quoted separately
Always get an itemised quote before committing. Ask your installer explicitly whether the quoted price includes the G99 application and associated costs.
G99 application costs and timescales
G99 is the legal approval from your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to export electricity to the grid. It is required for V2G use — not for V2H.
| Application route | Target timescale | Real-world range |
|---|---|---|
| Fast-track G99 | 10 working days | 1 day (Northern Powergrid best case) to 4 weeks |
| Standard G99 | 45–65 working days | 6 weeks to 6+ months in constrained areas |
| UKPN automatic (ENA type-tested chargers) | Seconds | 80% of applications |
UK Power Networks — covering South East England, East Anglia, and London — automatically approves around 80% of V2G applications within seconds for ENA type-tested chargers. Figures vary — verify current UKPN policy at publish.
Northern Powergrid can fast-track straightforward applications in a single working day. For other DNO regions, budget a minimum of 45 working days for standard G99.
G99 assessment fees are non-refundable even if you ultimately decline the connection offer. Most residential V2G applications at the domestic scale do not incur large assessment fees, but fees vary by DNO and application complexity — confirm the position with your installer before submitting. Many installers include the G99 application in their service; clarify this before signing a contract.
What’s included in the total cost?
Here is a complete breakdown of all potential cost items to build an accurate all-in budget:
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charger unit | £530–£6,100 | Depends on AC vs DC |
| Labour (installation) | £600–£3,000 | Higher for DC and complex runs |
| Consumer unit upgrade (if needed) | £300–£800 | Not always required |
| Cable run surcharge (>15m) | £150–£400 | Per additional section |
| G99 application fee (V2G only) | Varies by DNO | Confirm before applying |
| Smart meter (if not installed) | Free via supplier | Required for V2G tariffs |
| Total (AC, basic install, no upgrade) | ~£1,130–£2,100 | NexBlue Point 2 or Zaptec Go 2 |
| Total (DC, complex install) | ~£7,600–£12,500+ | Wallbox Quasar 2 scenario |
Figures vary — verify all costs with your installer before proceeding.
OZEV grant — does it apply to bidirectional chargers?
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant provides £500 towards the cost of a qualifying charger for eligible renters and flat owners. Homeowners are no longer eligible for this grant (removed 2023).
The Zaptec Go 2 is confirmed OZEV grant eligible. Whether other bidirectional chargers qualify depends on OZEV’s current approved product list — always verify at gov.uk before applying.
The grant applies to the installation, not specifically to the bidirectional capability. V2H and V2G features are not a separate grant category. BIK rates, grant figures, and eligibility criteria change — verify current status at GOV.UK before budgeting. Figures vary — verify current data.
Is the installation cost worth it?
Payback depends heavily on which charger you choose.
At an all-in cost of £1,130–£2,100 for an AC bidirectional setup, and a potential saving of up to £620 a year on the Octopus Power Pack tariff, payback sits at roughly 2–4 years. That compares favourably with many home improvement investments.
At £7,600–£9,100+ for a DC bidirectional setup, the same £620-a-year saving takes 12–15 years to pay back — longer than many car ownership cycles. The DC premium makes most sense if you value maximum power and vehicle compatibility above pure financial return, or if your use case involves significant V2H usage that reduces energy bills beyond just EV charging costs.
Payback improves significantly if you combine V2H with solar panels (your car charges free from generation, then powers your home for free), or if you are currently on a high-rate standard tariff with no overnight deal in place.
For a comparison with standard EV charger costs, see our full guide to EV charger installation costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install a V2H charger in the UK?
The total installed cost of a V2H charger in the UK ranges from around £1,130 for an entry-level AC bidirectional setup (such as the NexBlue Point 2) to over £9,000 for a DC unit such as the Wallbox Quasar 2. The cost includes the charger unit, specialist labour, and potentially a consumer unit upgrade or extra cabling. Figures vary — get itemised quotes from at least two OZEV-approved installers.
Do I need a G99 application to install a bidirectional EV charger?
Only if you plan to export energy to the grid (V2G). V2H use — where power stays within your home and is not exported to the public network — generally does not require a G99 application. For V2G, G99 approval from your DNO can take 10 to 65 working days. Confirm the position with your installer before starting any work.
Is there a grant for bidirectional EV chargers in the UK?
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant of £500 applies to eligible renters and flat owners installing a qualifying charger. The Zaptec Go 2 is confirmed grant eligible. The grant applies to the installation rather than the bidirectional hardware specifically. Homeowners are no longer eligible. Always verify current eligibility at gov.uk before applying, as grant rules change. Figures vary — verify current data.