Frequently asked questions.
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Are Simpson & Partners chargers suitable for listed or historic buildings?
Homeowners that live in listed buildings (grade 1 or 2) or in conservation areas often chose our chargers due to their elegant design, discreet installation finish and customisable finishes. We are happy to help put together plans and image packs to present to your relevant authorities or heritage organisation panels to win their permission and gain approval. Our wall mount chargers are very small and slim. They come in metal (not plastic) with an option for wood lids and a carefully curated colour selection. Our integrated freestanding posts are also very discreet and help the charger blend seamlessly into environments where the final appearance is important.
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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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Will I need to make any electrical upgrades to my property?
It depends on your existing setup. A qualified installer will assess your consumer unit and electrical capacity during the survey. If upgrades are needed (such as a new consumer unit to meet safety regulations) costs are typically around £85 and can be included in your installation quote. Emma from Beaumont House recommends: "Check your electrics first. We have 3-phase, meaning we could install as many chargers as we wanted within our budget. We opted for two 22kW chargers initially but made the underground pipework suitable for further cables as I hope to install more in the future."
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How fast can I charge my car?
The speed you can charge your car at home depends on three things: your home’s electricity supply, the charger you install (7kW or 22kW) and your car’s onboard charging capability. Most UK homes have a single-phase supply, which supports up to 7kW charging. If you have a three-phase supply, you can install a 22kW charger for much faster charging. The third but crucial element is your car’s onboard battery. Sometimes referred to as an OBC, the onboard battery is fixed and inside your car. Some hybrid plug in cars have 3.7kW on board battery, the majority of cars have 7kW, some have 11kW and a few have 22kW. The fastest you can charge your car at home is always going to be limited by the smallest number: Let’s see this in action: Example 1: If your home power supply is single phase and you choose a 7kW charger and plug in a Tesla with an onboard battery of 22kw, then the fastest you can charge will be 7kW. This is because the maximum available of power at your home is 7kW. If you have a 22kW charger, then the maximum rate you can charge is still 7kW. Example 2: You have three phase power supply and a 22kW eV charger, your car is a lovely brand-new car that has an on-board charger of 3.7kW. The fastest you’d be able to charge is 3.7kW.
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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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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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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 our chargers combine style, reliability, and smart tech?
David Simpson leads our hardware and software engineering teams and mechanical engineering team to ensure each charger can be physically built for durability and consistent performance. Both David and Mandy Simpson designed the chargers from scratch to have a signature look that they felt looks timeless, modern and discreet. Home Series Plus models feature premium lids in wood or metal, optional Wireless Energy Managers for 'no-mess' load balancing and ethernet connectivity option for ultimate connection. Home Series Freestanding are the worlds first fully integrated pedestal charger. The overall ethos of the business is to create upgradable and repairable chargers and ev chargers that won't end up in landfill.
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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 if I don’t have a wall to mount the charger?
No problem! We offer freestanding posts with a single socket, allowing you to install a charger anywhere in your driveway or garage. These posts feature a fully integrated, discreet, and slim design. No wall? No problem!
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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 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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Can I use my own installer?
Yes. Any qualified electrician can install Simpson & Partners products. If you have your own trusted electrician it's a good idea to share installer guides with them ahead of time.
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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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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’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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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 smart features set Simpson & Partners chargers apart from competitors?
Every S&P charger comes with smart app control, load management, and over-the-air updates. That means you can schedule charging, monitor usage, and future-proof your setup. Some competitors may have app control, but few combine this with advanced energy management and OTA updates in one reliable package.
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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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How does Simpson & Partners protect my data differently from other brands?
We combine privacy-first design with banking-grade security. Unlike others, we don’t collect personal details, and all data is anonymised. Plus, we use encrypted connections and UK-based secure servers to keep your information safe, just like your online banking.
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Will it actually increase my bookings?
Yes. EV drivers actively filter their search for properties with on-site charging, without it, you're invisible to this fast-growing market. As EV ownership increases, properties without charging are losing bookings year-round to those that offer it. Guests driving EV's need to charge it's an essential feature, not an extra. An on-site charger also generates better reviews and repeat bookings because it enhances the guest experience and shows you've thought of everything.
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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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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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Will a 3-phase charger work on a single-phase supply?
Yes, the installer will just need to connect to one phase within the charger.
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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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