Frequently asked questions.
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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 are your warranties?
We offer a 10-year enclosure and 5-year electronics warranty, supported by our UK team. Many competitors provide shorter warranties or rely on overseas support.
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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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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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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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How do I charge guests for using the EV charger?
You set your own kWh rate and have two payment options. Use Tap Electric (free for hosts) where guests scan a QR code and pay automatically, with revenue going straight to your bank account. Or check the Simpson & Partners app to see energy usage and collect payment before guests leave. Either way, it's hassle-free. Beaumont House uses Tap Electric: "Tap Electric's app is so much simpler for guests to use. We haven't had one request for help with the app since installing Simpson & Partners chargers."
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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 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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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 features should I look for in an electric vehicle charger for commercial use?
Choosing the right EV charging solution for your hotel, business, or facility means finding a system that serves your guests, staff, and visitors reliably while fitting your operational needs and budget. Simpson Partners' Commercial Series delivers elegant, commercial-grade AC charging designed specifically for hospitality venues, workplaces, apartment blocks, and visitor car parks. We work with you and qualified electrical engineers to tailor a charging solution that meets your requirements on time and on budget. Key Features to Consider: Charging Speed – 7–22 kW AC charging suits guests and staff who park for extended periods, ensuring vehicles are ready when needed. Flexible & Scalable – We offer dual socket pedestals, single socket wall mount models, and plinth-only models to suit your site layout and budget. Start with what you need today and expand easily as EV adoption grows among your guests and team. Our plinth-only option is a clever way to future-proof your charging: install the plinth infrastructure now alongside your active chargers, then add sockets later when budget allows. This cost-effective approach gets the groundworks done once, saving you money and disruption down the line. Easy Management – Our commercial chargers are OCPP-compliant, allowing seamless control through third-party specialist energy apps such as Fuuse, Tap, and Wevo. This means seamless integration if your site already has solar PV, battery storage, and daytime charging. Tap, for example, is a free app for landlords and businesses that cleverly bills users when they charge their car, with payments going straight into your bank account. Built to Last – Robust, weather-resistant designs withstand heavy use in outdoor and high-traffic environments. Future-Proof Compatibility – Universal connectors and open standards ensure your investment works with all vehicle types and avoids vendor lock-in.
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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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Willhaving an EV charger help me get more bookings?
Tethered mode is a feature you can activate from your mobile app that locks the charging cable into your Simpson & Partners charger. This is handy for preventing cable theft when you're not using the charger, or simply for added convenience – keeping your cable securely stored and ready to use.
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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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Can I get a bespoke colour for my EV charger?
Yes, we offer bespoke colour-matching in exceptional cases – this is more common for businesses wanting to match their brand than for home installations. Our standard collection: We have 132 carefully curated colours and finishes. Our creative director, Mandy Simpson, personally selects each one to harmonise beautifully with walls, brickwork, and gardens. Important note: Our standard powder coating comes with a 10-year guarantee. Custom colours may not carry the same guarantee. Interested in a bespoke colour? Contact sales@simpson-partners.com (POA) and our production team will assess your request.
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Do I need a Wired Energy Manager?
A Wired Energy Manager is included with every charger. It is a CT clamp. We include one for a 7kW model and three for a 22kW model.
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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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Why Choose Holiday Series EV Chargers over other Ev chargers?
Most holiday let chargers are cheap plastic units that look awful and break down. Holiday Series chargers are British-engineered from metal for superior durability and come in 132 colour combinations to match your property. We've been offering Business and Home EV chargers for years and started out making EV chargers in 2018. Crucially, they include OFGEM-compliant MID meters as standard. If you're charging guests for electricity, MID meters are a legal requirement in the UK. They're certified meters that provide accurate, auditable readings of exactly how much energy each guest uses protecting you from disputes and ensuring you charge fairly and legally. Purpose-built for holiday lets, Holiday Series chargers are reliable, beautiful, easy for guests to use and designed to generate revenue with minimal hassle.
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What is the difference between single-phase and three-phase power?
Single-phase power is the standard electricity supply for most UK homes — around 85% of domestic properties use it. It delivers electricity through one live wire and is protected by a single fuse (typically rated at 60, 80, or 100 amps). With single-phase, the maximum charging rate for an EV charger is usually 7.3kW, which is ideal for overnight charging and suits most households. Three-phase power, on the other hand, is more common in commercial buildings or larger homes. It uses three live wires, allowing electricity to flow more efficiently and at higher capacity. If your property has a three-phase supply, you can install a charger capable of delivering up to 22kW —useful for larger battery EVs or homes with multiple electric vehicles needing faster turnaround. In short: • Single-phase = up to 7.3kW charging, standard for most homes • Three-phase = up to 22kW charging, suited for high-demand setups, commercial car parks, multi-dwelling residences.
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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 load balancing?
Load balancing is a safety feature which automatically balances the power consumption between your house and the charger, to avoid overloading your fuse. For example, if your home has a 60A fuse and you turn on the electric ovens, electric showers and other high draw appliances and try and charge your vehicle same time, there may not be enough load available for the charger to charge at the maximum rate (which is 32A). When this happens, the charger automatically lowers the charge rate to avoid overloading your supply. To enable load balancing, connect the wired Energy Manager included with Home Series products, or purchase the optional wireless Energy Manager.
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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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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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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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My Car Keeps Charging Beyond the Limit Set in the Octopus App
If your car is charging beyond the limit set in the Octopus app, it’s because the charge limit is not controlled by the app or the Simpson & Partners charger — it must be managed by your vehicle directly. Why This Happens • The Octopus Intelligent tariff controls when your car charges, not how much it charges. • The Simpson & Partners charger delivers energy during allowed charging times but cannot stop charging at a certain battery percentage. • Only your vehicle can limit the charge level. Neither the Octopus app nor the charger can override this.
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