Frequently asked questions.
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What’s the difference between a Wired vs Wireless Energy Manager?
A Wired Energy Manager is a hard-wired kit that monitors your home’s power draw, so your charger knows when to throttle EV charging to avoid overloading your main supply. A wireless Energy Manager gives you the same load-balancing benefits, but communicates over wireless — handy if you want cleaner install and simpler cabling. Both options protect your home electrical system while optimising charging.
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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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Do the chargers work in extreme weather?
Yes. All chargers (freestanding and wall mounted) are IP-rated, weatherproof and designed for outdoor use in rain, snow, or extreme temperatures.
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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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I’m looking to get a quote for installing multiple EV chargers for my commercial property.
Absolutely. We provide tailored quotes for multiple charger installations at commercial sites. Here's how it works: Use our online configurator or contact our team to specify the number of chargers you need, power rating (7 kW or 22 kW), installation type (wall-mounted or freestanding), and any business features like RFID access, MID metering, or built-in RCBOs. We'll build a quote for you. If you don't have your own electricians, we can connect you with an independent electrical team who will complete a site survey. They'll need photos of your consumer unit, fuse board, and cable routes, plus details about your requirements (payment systems, solar PV, battery integration, etc.). You'll then receive a detailed quotation covering hardware, installation, any civil works or cable trenching, and commissioning. Government grants are available for charging infrastructure, so remember to ask your installer to claim these on your behalf. Branded colour finishes are available on request for business clients.
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What does Single-Phase mean?
Single-phase is the phrase given to describe the electrical power supply that comes from the national grid into your property. Single-phase power supply is the most common type of electricity supply in UK homes, about 85% of domestic properties use it. It means electricity flows through one live wire, protected by a single fuse (usually rated at 60, 80, or 100 amps). With a single-phase power supply, the maximum charging rate for an EV charger is typically 7.3kW, which is perfect for most home charging needs.
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Can you help me compare different brands of electric vehicle chargers for my business?
Yes — when comparing EV charger brands for business use, consider features like user management, metering, access control, installation flexibility and future‑proofing. For example, the Simpson & Partners Home Series EV Charger Plus and its business counterpart from Simpson & Partners offer commercial‑grade options: MID‑certified metering, RFID access control and OCPP support for workplaces and visitor parking. When comparing other brands, check whether they also provide features such as built‑in RCBOs, dynamic load management and freestanding posts. Simpson & Partners stands out for blending these business features with aesthetic design and UK manufacturing.
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What is a Wireless Energy Manager?
This clever small device load balances the electrical load between your car and home. It works as an alternative to the Wired energy manager and works wirelessly, giving you a no-mess finish and it’s quick to install (so no messy wires or bashing through walls). Load balancing enables you to avoid nuisance trips and ensures your car gets the maximum amount of charge available. The Wireless EM uses LoRa (Radio) technology to communicate with the charger. The Wireless EM has 2 modes – 1. In Standard Mode the Wireless EM has a range of up to approximately 65m. 2. The range in Long Range Mode is up to approximately 120m. Long Range mode is only supported when using an external USB-C power supply. If you're an electrician, you can watch Adam from Sota electrical installing one here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMWyaKCNOno
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What’s in the box?
Your charger arrives pre-assembled with the top and front colours you selected. Inside you’ll also find: *Your wired Energy Manager, usually located in the “Important Bits” box inside. *Quick Start Guide, including QR codes to download the Simpson & Partners app. *Serial Number & PIN card keep this safe, as it provides secure access to your charger and is required for setup, support and remote diagnostics.* Mounting template and standard fixings (if applicable). Note: If you ordered cable hooks, these are shipped in a separate box.
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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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What’s the difference between Tethered and Untethered chargers?
Tethered: The charger comes with a cable permanently attached, so it's quick and easy to plug in and go. This is ideal if you always use the same vehicle and want maximum convenience. Untethered: The charger has no fixed cable — you use your own instead. This gives you a neater look with no cable on show when not in use. You can also leave your cable plugged into the charger between charges if you prefer, giving you the best of both worlds.
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What colour options are available for my charger?
We love colour. Mandy Simpson has curated a beautiful range to suit your home or business. The Home Series Basic model comes with our standard plastic cap in 4 classic colours. The Plus model gives you more choice — premium metal or wood lids, and 14 different front colours so you can create your own combination. Mandy works one-to-one with homeowners, interior designers, and architects. She offers a free personal consultation to help you choose colours that work with your brickwork, windows, doors, and overall environment. Mandy often helps those that live in listed homes or conservation areas put together a supporting pack to win approval from council planners and relevant heritage preservation authorities. Email her at mandy.simpson@simpson-partners.com
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My charger is out of Warranty, are you able to help?
Our V3 hardware now comes with an industry-leading 5-year hardware warranty. But support doesn’t stop there; whether you’re an existing customer or someone with a charger from the previous company, we’re committed to supporting you long into the future. For chargers that are out of warranty, we aim to provide ongoing help along with replacement hardware at cost where needed. We’re also launching a full catalogue of replacement parts, allowing you (or your installer) to repair your charger easily. This will include everything from front panels and lids to PCBs, sockets and even the small fixings. We’re also introducing a V3 Upgrade Programme, giving you the option to update your charger’s internal hardware to the V3 platform and benefit from the latest features and reliability improvements. So even if your warranty is coming to an end, there’s no need to worry we’ll continue to support you and ensure your charger stays reliable for the long term.
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Can your charger work smarter with my energy and solar setup?
Yes! Our Home Series Plus chargers are designed to work seamlessly with solar panels, intelligently using any surplus energy your system produces. Every charger comes with a Wired Energy Manager as standard, and you can also choose a Wireless Energy Manager if that suits your setup better. Together, they automatically balance power between your home and your EV, helping you make the most of renewable energy, charge efficiently and keep your energy bills down.‍
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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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Is the cable hidden or wrapped around a holder?
Our tethered EV charging cables can be neatly wrapped around the charging unit itself, keeping your driveway or garage tidy.For added convenience, we also offer a colour-matched cable hook (£49) as an optional extra at checkout. This provides a nice way to keep your cable tidy and it's by default colour matched to the chargers front.
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Are Simpson & Partners chargers future-proof for V2G?
Yes. V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) is upgradable via an expansion module, allowing your charger to support future bi-directional energy features.
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Do Simpson & Partners chargers require an internet connection?
No. All Simpson & Partners chargers work without an internet connection. You can still charge your EV safely. You can just plug in a charge. If you also want to see your energy usage and remote control your charger from your mobile (eg locking and scheduling and charging history) then you'll need to have an internet connection.
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Which of our chargers is right for your home?
The Home Series Basic models are perfect for straightforward home charging. Select from 4 colour options for the wall mounted model including a grey plastic lid and wired energy management as standard. The Home Series Plus models give you more choice more signature colours, metal or wood lids, solar integration and wireless energy management. Both Basic or Plus options have tethered or untethered options and come as 7kW or 22kW models so you can get a charger that fits your home, style and wallet. No wall? No problem! If you have a driveway without a nearby wall to mount a charger on, then consider our Freestanding model. We really like this as its discreet, fully integrated. It's even slimmer in real life and looks like quiet luxury.
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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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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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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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Will the colour fade if my charger is outdoors?
No. Our paint finishes are designed to withstand UK weather, rain, UV sun and frost. Metal and wood lids on all models are treated for durability, so your charger will stay looking great for years. We make our wood lids our of sustainable Accoya. Dimensionally stable, Accoya wood is a modified pine that undergoes an acetylation process. The result is real wood that doesn’t rot. It doesn’t warp, swell or shrink becuase the small water molecules inside the wood are effectively replaced by acetic acid. ie it's 'pickled'. Wooden lids will in say 10 years begin to change colour if they are exposed to UV light. The change will be very slight becuase we use specialist transluscent paint coats that protect from UV light. The metal fronts are power coated. Their colour will stay the same for many years.
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Can I see the colours before I buy?
Absolutely. Order a free colour card so you can see the colours in your own space before committing. Order from our website and we’ll post it out via snail mail.
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What information do I need to provide in the survey?
Installers typically ask for photos of where you want to put your charger (it could be in two places if you can't decide), a clear close up photo of your consumer unit with the lid open so they can see the switches and numbers on it), a photo of your fuse box (so they can see what power supply you have) and a rough distance in metres between the consumer unit and where you want to put your charger. Lastly they will want to know the model of charger - is it a wall mount 7kW or 22kW or a freestanding pedestal etc... A good electrician will help you decide whether you need wireless energy manager and provide advice on where best to install your charger.
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