Frequently asked questions.
If your question isn't answered below, please ask our friendly chat AI as this has access to our entire knowledge base and will be able to provide an answer for you
What type of EV charger is best for my holiday let?
Look for a reliable, durable charger with minimal downtime that complements your property's aesthetic. It should include MID meters for accurate billing and OFGEM compliance with UK government requirements. Simpson & Partners Holiday Series offers both wall-mounted and freestanding models, built from metal (not plastic) with 132 colour combinations to enhance your property. Simon from Coillemore House chose carefully: "I chose the Home 7 Plus so I could get the right colour combination. Neptune blue with a mid oak lid to fit in with the stone walls of our Georgian property. We love how it looks, it's super durable so it can stand up to all the weather Scotland can throw at it, and it's discreet so it doesn't look out of place."
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How long does it take to charge my EV?
For most UK homes and electric vehicles, a full charge takes 6-8 hours overnight using a 7kW home charger. The exact time depends on your car's battery size and how much charge is left. For example, a typical 60kWh EV battery charging from empty to full at 7kW takes around 8-9 hours. Smart charging tip: Use our smart chargers with tariffs like Octopus Intelligent to automatically schedule charging during off-peak hours, saving money while your car charges overnight.
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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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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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How durable are your chargers?
Our EV chargers are built to last. We provide industry-leading protection and peace of mind with: 5-year warranty on all hardware components 10-year warranty on the enclosure and lid Our chargers use robust, weather-resistant materials designed to withstand outdoor conditions and frequent daily use, ensuring reliable performance for years to come.
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What improvements are being made over the coming months?
We’re continuing to invest in support throughout 2026, building on the reliability gains delivered with our V3 hardware. This platform is also being extended to our 22 kW chargers, bringing the same stability across the full range.On the software side, we’re releasing updates that prevent issues before they appear, along with a full app redesign featuring guided, step‑by‑step diagnostics so you can resolve most problems instantly. And if you do need us, we’re expanding our phone, email and live chat availability for faster access to the team.Our approach is simple: the best support works quietly in the background with continuous firmware improvements, automatic fixes and regular updates that make your charger more reliable over time and more real people to answer your calls.
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How can I ensure the charger blends in with my property's aesthetics?
Simpson & Partners chargers come in 132 colour combinations, allowing you to match your property's style perfectly. Unlike bland plastic chargers, ours enhance your property's visual appeal and create a positive first impression for guests — important for instant "judgement" scores when they arrive. Nuthatch Retreat chose Holiday Series specifically for design: "We'd witnessed the frankly ugly and cumbersome chargers on the market and wanted something refined, thoughtful and beautiful that would tie in with the aesthetic of the building."
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How Easy Is It to Upgrade to 3-Phase Power?
The short answer is it’s not that simple (or cheap) to upgrade your property to 3-phase power supply. But here are the steps on how to upgrade to 3-phase: You’ll need to reach out to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO). If you don’t know who your DNO is, contact your electricity provider or search “who is my DNO”. Your DNO are responsible for the infrastructure that supplies electricity to your home or business. Assessment: The DNO will assess whether a 3-phase upgrade is feasible for your property. The feasibility study outcome depends on your location, existing supply and how close you are to a 3-phase network. Costs can vary widely, from a few hundred to several thousand pounds. It really depends on the complexity of the work. How long does it take? It may take several weeks or months to complete, especially if roadworks or new cabling are required. You will bear the full cost of this work as there are no grants available.
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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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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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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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How much does it cost to install an EV charger?
Standard installations start at £425 including VAT, with upfront costs typically offset within 12 months through guest usage. This covers a 7kW (single phase) installation, up to 4 hours on-site, and up to 15 meters of cable run. Costs increase if you need additional work such as drilling through multiple walls, trenching, working at height, or three-phase installations.
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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 Simpson & Partners EV chargers support Ethernet connections?
Yes. Simpson & Partners EV chargers support hardwired Ethernet connections, providing a more stable and reliable alternative to Wi-Fi—particularly in areas with poor signal strength or network interference.
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Should I Upgrade to 3-phase power supply?
It's up to you, but upgrading to 3-phase isn't common for most homes. When 3-phase makes sense: You have two EVs that could share the charging load You're already planning to install high-demand appliances like heat pumps, hot tubs, or indoor swimming pools You want the fastest possible home charging (up to 22kW) Who typically has 3-phase power? Most commercial premises like warehouses, farms, factories, shops, and restaurants have 3-phase. Some residential properties do too – particularly new-build large homes, barn conversions, or apartments in tower blocks with lifts. The reality: Upgrading to 3-phase can be time-consuming and expensive. For most homeowners with a single EV, standard single-phase power and a 7kW charger provides perfectly adequate overnight charging. How do I explore the option? Contact your district network operator or the national grid .national grid.
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What’s the difference between wall-mounted and free-standing chargers?
Wall-mounted chargers attach to a suitable vertical wall (eg brick). The free-standing charger is an integrated pedestal model that has been designed for properties and driveways and car parking bays that don’t have a wall nearby to mount the charger on.
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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’s the difference between home and business chargers?
Home chargers are perfect for residential use (7kw and 22kW and wall mount and freestanding options) with free mobile app and tethered or untethered options. Business chargers include all this and extra features like RFID authentication, MID metering and built-in RCBOs.
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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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