Frequently asked questions.
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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 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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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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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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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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If I want two chargers, how will that work?
If you want 2 or more sockets, that's absolutely fine. Our Home Series wall mount options and the Freestanding home unit each come with 1 socket, so you'd need two separate units if you want two charging points. Our Business Series Freestanding Dual is designed with 2 sockets mounted back to back on one post. If you choose the dual 22kW option with a three-phase power supply, you can send up to 22kW to each socket. If you opt for the 7kW version on a single phase, you'll get 7kW per socket. Just keep in mind: if you install 2 separate 7kW chargers and you have a single phase power supply, the 7.3kW available will be shared between the two chargers when they're both in use.
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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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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 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 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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Can I be sure this charger will work with my home and my car?
Absolutely. All our chargers are designed to work with the UK’s standard electrical supply and with every EV connector type currently on the market. Before installation, our team or your qualified electrician will double-check that your setup is compatible. If you’re buying a Plus model, features like solar integration or the wireless Energy Manager will also be assessed for your home to ensure seamless operation.
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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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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 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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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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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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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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What is the Locking Function?
The locking function (from your mobile) secures your charging cable in the charger socket, protecting against cable theft. How it works: The cable automatically locks into the charger when you're charging your car For untethered chargers, it also locks your cable in place when you're not charging, preventing theft if you leave it plugged in
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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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