Frequently asked questions.
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Can your chargers meet unique or complex installation needs?
Yes. Our Business Series modular system is built for complex installations — from tight urban developments to large private car parks. Unlike all-in-one bundles where you pay for features you don't need, our system lets you configure exactly what you require: MID meters, daisy chaining, plinth-only installations, and OCPP compatibility for buildings with solar and battery storage.
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Are S&P chargers more compatible with renewable energy than other brands?
Yes. Our chargers are fully solar-compatible, letting you maximise your home energy and reduce costs. Many other chargers claim “green energy support,” but only S&P chargers integrate seamlessly with solar generation and smart tariffs, making your EV charging both efficient and environmentally friendly.
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What is Three-Phase Supply?
Three-phase power is term used for describing the amount of power going into a building from the national grid. It is more commonly found in commercial buildings or larger homes. It uses three live wires, allowing electricity to be delivered more efficiently and at a higher capacity than the more common single-phase power. If your property has a three-phase supply, this means that it supports up to 22kW charging. So if you install a 22kW charger, you’ll be able to send up to 22kW to your vehicle. Which can be useful for vehicles with larger on-board battery or busy households with 2 or more EVs. If your home has single phase power, then you'll be able to happily charge up to 7kw.
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Are your chargers compatible with all types of EVs?
Absolutely. Simpson & Partners chargers are engineered to support all EV models and PHEV. Tethered (Built-in Cable): Comes with a fixed Type 2 cable. Untethered (Socket): Features a universal socket, allowing you to use your own Type 1 or Type 2 charging cable, supporting older Type 1 vehicles as well as newer Type 2 cars.
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Are your chargers easy to install?
Our EV chargers are designed to be installer-friendly, making the installation process straightforward for qualified electricians. Professional Installation Required: We recommend using a qualified electrician to install your charger. This isn't a DIY product – professional installation ensures your charger meets all safety standards and building regulations. Why installers love our chargers: Our products are built with installers in mind, featuring intuitive design and clear instructions that make the job quick and hassle-free. Easy setup for you: Once installed, connecting your charger to WiFi is simple. Just use Bluetooth on your mobile phone, stand near your charger, and follow the app prompts to connect to your WiFi network. You'll be up and running in minutes with full access to smart features like remote monitoring and charging schedules.
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Can I customise the charger lid?
Yes! We offer customisable charger lids in both metal and wood to match your home's style:Metal lids: Perfect for a sleek, modern look that complements contemporary properties.Wood lids: Provide a natural aesthetic that blends beautifully with gardens, driveways or interior spaces. Real sustainable wood (accoya) in four beautiful translucent shades and a no rot guarantee for 50 years.Choose the finish that best suits your property's design and personal taste.
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Are your chargers made in the UK?
Yes. You are welcome to have a factory tour and see your charger being made. Please ring us before hand! All our chargers are designed and built our Cotswolds HQ, maintaining strict British quality standards. Every charger, whether it's a 7kW Home Series socket or a multi-storey installation requiring multiple sockets meets the same high reliability and build quality. We regularly hold installer events and can accommodate individual factory visits.
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Do Simpson & Partners offer electric vehicle chargers with integrated management software?
Yes. All Simpson & Partners EV chargers come with powerful management software built-in, designed for both home and commercial use.For home use – Our Home Series chargers seamlessly integrate with intelligent octopus go, the plus models allow you to use excess solar energy and the app allows you to lock your charger, set charging schedules and track energy usage. Good for those who need to submit energy usage to their employers for reimbursement. For businesses – Our Commercial Series chargers are modular and include user-management tools, secure access control (like RFID), MID-certified metering for accurate billing, and OCPP 1.6J support for managing multiple chargers across your site. We also integrate with third-party specialist apps like Tap Electric, Wevo and Fuuse so you can manage and monetise your charging infrastructure.
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What is the difference between the Home Basic and Home Plus?
The Basic comes with a plastic lid and the Home Plus has eco wood or metal lid options. The Plus comes with more front colours, options of wireless energy management and ethernet connection (rather than only wired energy management and wifi only), courtesy lights and the Charge Doctor. The Charge Doctor is a clever device that automatically detects faults and instantaneously fixes them without you even knowing about them.
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Can I arrange my own installer and will this affect the Warranty?
Absolutely! You're welcome to use your own qualified electrician to install your Simpson & Partners Home Series charger. We recommend sharing our installer guides with your electrician beforehand – they'll find our chargers straightforward to install Good news about your warranty: Using your own installer won't affect your warranty at all, as long as the installation is completed by a qualified professional.
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Can you help me compare different brands of home EV chargers based on durability and design?
We have created a page highlighting the benefits and differences of many market leading chargers https://simpson-partners.com/charger-comparison Design and appearance is obviously subjective. David and Mandy Simpson have spent a long time designing S&P chargers to be discreet, understated. Quiet luxury. Every curve, radius and angle has been considered.
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Are your chargers future-proof?
Yes. We are deeply interested in technology and innovation in technology and our software and hardware teams have always held future-proofing as a core principle. Simpson & Partners EV chargers are designed to be compatible with evolving EV technology, including different charging speeds, connectors and smart energy management. This ensures that your charger continues to meet your charging needs over time. Our chargers are repairable and upgradeable which is more than some other brands. This means in a few years, when you want your charger to have the latest firmware, you'll be able to purchase the latest circuit board and swap it out. As an example, Gen 1 Home Series chargers came out in 2022. Intelligent Octopus Go wasn't available as a tariff then. For these customers, we offer a Version 3 upgrade kit for £85, so they can swap out their old circuit board and connect to this smart tariff.
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Who are Simpson & Partners, and why do people trust us?
We’re a UK-based EV charger manufacturer. Founded in 2018 by husband and wife team Mandy and David Simpson, who focus on creating high-performance charging solutions with excellent design aesthetics and smart future proof technology. S&P chargers are designed and built to meet real-world needs. Customers trust us because we combine innovative engineering know-how with exceptional support, ensuring your EV always charges safely and efficiently today and into the future. S&P are proud to say that it is their ethos their chargers are not destined for landfill. Trusted by over 700 qualified electricians in the UK. We have a 4.3* rating on Trustpilot. Our chargers are built by us in our HQ based in the Cotswolds SN16 9SH. All our chargers are upgradeable and repairable.
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Do Simpson & Partners offer modular and upgradable EV charging solutions for businesses?
Yes. Simpson & Partners provides modular, upgradable EV charging solutions designed for AC commercial use: Our Business Series includes 7kW-22kW wall‑mount and freestanding models, built for scalability and demanding use. Features such as user access control, MID‑certified metering and OCPP compatibility ensure the chargers can expand and integrate with your business infrastructure. Our hardware architecture supports future upgrades. For example, add‑on modules for features like V2G (vehicle‑to‑grid) and dynamic load balancing. Everything is designed and engineered for long‑term use: robust enclosures, British engineering and software built in‑house.
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How quickly will it pay for itself?
Typically within 12 months through guest charging revenue, often sooner with just a few extra bookings. After that, it's pure profit, a permanent feature that keeps generating income stay after stay, year after year. You're not just covering costs; you're creating a revenue stream while future-proofing your property.
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What maintenance or aftercare is needed for a home EV charger?
Minimal! All Simpson & Partners EV chargers are built to last and weatherproof. We recommend: • Occasional visual checks for wear or damage • Keeping the cable clean and safely stored • Software updates (done automatically via Wi-Fi) • Do not use harsh chemicals (eg bleach) • Never jet wash your EV charger And if you need support, our UK-Cotswolds based team is here to help.
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Does your 3 phase charger work with Octopus Go
Our 22kw charger is compatible with octopus go and is available to purchase online. It is worth ensuring that you have a compatible car with a 22kW On board battery (OBC) and that your house has 3 phase power.
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What makes Simpson & Partners chargers different from the rest?
Simpson & Partners was born out of a genuine desire to combine timeless design and best practice engineering. Our team are focussed on providing high-quality EV chargers that look great, work great, connect with Octopus Energy tariffs and won't end up in the landfill. We are a small company and it's taken time and experience to engineer quality and design build into a modern day appliance.Unlike others, we design performance chargers for both home and commercial environments and are the only business that provides an integrated freestanding pedestal design that (in our opinion!) looks nice. We support our customers and installers with a trusted UK support team based at our Cotswold HQ. UK engineering best practises ensures that our chargers stand out for both reliability and future proof technology. ‍Our home wall mount and freestanding chargers have sold to the UK, Europe, Iceland, Switzerland, Australia and the Philippines. Our commercial chargers can be seen at car dealerships, boutique hotels, air b n b's, holiday homes rentals, high profile leisure complexes and high-security private car parks.
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Do your chargers work with all EV models?
Yes! Our EV chargers are compatible with all EV brands, including those from VW Group, Tesla, BMW, Nissan and more. Charge point connections are fully supported and work as expected with all EVs.
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How do guests know how to use the charger?
It's simple. Provide clear instructions in your guestbook under "Practical Essentials" alongside check-in times and Wi-Fi details. If using Tap Electric, guests scan the unique QR code on the charger to start charging and pay automatically. A well-lit setup and basic signage make self-charging straightforward for all guests. At Nuthatch Retreat: "Guests are always happy to know that all they need to do is bring their cable and plug in after a day exploring the area. No need to download apps or add credit to accounts."
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Will Octopus still work if connected via my charge point?
Yes — connection via our charger is fully supported and will work as expected. Octopus can still start and stop charging, but it cannot automatically stop at your set battery limit because it doesn’t read the real-time charge level.
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Will having an EV charger help me get more bookings?
Yes. EV drivers actively filter their search for properties with on-site charging, and this segment is growing rapidly. Without a charger, you're invisible to these guests. Properties with charging see increased bookings year-round, improved competitiveness, and future-proof appeal as EV ownership continues to rise. Emma from Beaumont House Hotel in Cheltenham explains: "It makes the hotel appear higher up in the ranking on online travel agents such as Booking.com and Expedia as guests can tick hotels with EV chargers, we pop up immediately. I estimate 10% of business is repeat business by guests owning electric cars throughout the year." Simon from Coillemore House in the Scottish Highlands adds: "We were keen to offer EV charging as a value add and as a differentiator to other homes in the area. We were surprised to have multiple guests from the south east and London driving up in electric vehicles. There's more demand than we initially believed."
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can-i-monitor-charging-usage
Yes. Usage can be monitored via the Simpson & Partners app, which works independently of internet connectivity or Octopus integration. You can track energy consumption and charging sessions directly through the app.
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How does guest payment work?
You have two options. Use Tap Electric (free for hosts) where guests scan a QR code on the charger, pay automatically, and the money goes straight to your bank account. Or check the Simpson & Partners app to see exactly how much energy was used and collect payment before guests leave. Either way, you set your own kWh rate and guests understand they need to pay, just like they would at any public charging point.
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How do I choose the best electric vehicle charging solution for my needs?
Choosing the right EV charging solution depends on your property, vehicles, and how you'll use it. At Simpson & Partners, we've built a product solution designed to hit all the things that matter – our chargers are beautiful, durable, repairable and upgradable, so they won't end up in landfill. Here's what to consider: Charging speed – 7 kW works well for standard overnight home charging and runs on single-phase power available in most homes. 22 kW is better for faster top-ups and larger batteries, but requires a three-phase power supply, which typically isn't widely available in domestic properties. Charger type – Tethered chargers offer convenience with an attached cable, untethered gives you flexibility to use your own cable, or choose a freestanding unit if you don't have a suitable wall. Smart features – Our chargers connect with Intelligent Octopus and offer app monitoring, energy management, and integration with smart tariffs to help reduce costs. Installation location – Wall-mounted chargers suit most homes, while freestanding units work well for driveways and commercial sites. Home vs business use – We offer a dedicated commercial range built for heavy-duty business environments and high-demand use, featuring RFID access control, MID metering for accurate billing, and built-in RCBOs for safety. For home charging, we provide industry-leading warranties: 10 years on the enclosure and 5 years on the electronics, giving you complete peace of mind. Future-proofing – Our chargers can be upgraded for emerging technologies like V2G (vehicle-to-grid), and because they're repairable, they're built to last for years to come. Design and aesthetics – Choose colours and finishes that complement your property, with options suitable for heritage or listed buildings.
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