Simpson & Partners vs Fast Amps Alpha7 — Head to Head

Both are proudly UK-built. Both include built-in PEN fault protection and solar integration. Both connect via WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet. The meaningful differences are about scale, OCPP capability, warranty length, and price.

Simpson & Partners — The Full Story

Simpson & Partners built their reputation in the commercial EV charging market before bringing that same engineering rigour to home installations. The result is a charger platform that exceeds what most residential customers will ever need — but is priced competitively through EcoHarmony's volume buying.

OCPP & Open-Platform Flexibility

OCPP 1.6J+ support is the headline differentiator. Open Charge Point Protocol means the charger isn't tied to any single app ecosystem or energy platform — it can integrate with fleet management systems, billing platforms, building energy management, and any OCPP-compatible backend. Most home chargers don't offer this at any price. For homeowners with commercial vehicles, landlords, or anyone who might need billing capability, this is a meaningful future-proofing investment.

Design — 200+ Options

200+ colour and finish options make Simpson & Partners one of the most customisable EV chargers available in the UK. Whether a customer wants the charger to blend into rendered white walls, stand out in gloss black, or match a period property in heritage green — there's an option. The freestanding pedestal version is particularly popular with driveways where wall mounting isn't practical or the cable run would be too long.

Three-Phase & V2G

Three-phase capability (up to 22kW) means the charger grows with the property. Most UK homes are single-phase today — but if a property is upgraded, the Simpson charger doesn't need replacing. The confirmed V2G roadmap positions it for vehicle-to-grid charging as that technology arrives in the UK, potentially earning drivers money by exporting stored energy during peak periods.

Warranty — Up to 10 Years

No other major UK home EV charger comes close on warranty. For customers who want to install once and never think about it again, this is a significant commitment that reflects genuine confidence in product quality.

Fast Amps Alpha7 — The Full Story

Fast Amps is a small British company from Shrewsbury with a clear mission: make the best-value home EV charger in the UK that's also manufactured entirely here. The Alpha7 is the result — and its spec sheet punches well above its £399 starting price.

Made in Britain — All of It

Fast Amps publishes the full supply chain, component by component. Plastic mouldings are produced in Birmingham. PCBs are assembled in Halesowen. Powder coating is done in Leamington Spa. Final assembly is in Shrewsbury. They are accredited members of Made in Britain — an independently audited standard that requires verified UK manufacturing throughout the supply chain. When you buy an Alpha7, every penny of manufacturing value stays in the UK.

Designed for Installers

The Alpha7 was designed in consultation with EV charger installers. The front panel clips off via a ribbon cable for clear cable access. A mounting template is in the box. Stainless steel screws and DeWalt fixings are supplied. Terminals accept up to 16mm SWA cable. And critically, Bluetooth commissioning means the installer never needs the customer's WiFi password on site. These are small things that add up to a significantly faster, cleaner installation experience.

Solar — Included, Not Optional

Dynamic solar integration is included as standard on every Alpha7. The installer fits a current clamp to the solar array output; solar mode is activated in the FastAmps app. The charger updates its output up to 4 times per second to match live solar generation — with a maximum 6A grid draw in solar mode. No optional extras, no accessory packs, no additional cost. This is simply part of what the Alpha7 is.

Safety Built In — No Extras Required

The Alpha7's built-in PEN fault detection (BS 7671 Section 722.411.4.1 iv compliant) and integrated 30mA AC / 6mA DC earth leakage protection mean the charger arrives as a complete safety package. On PME supplies — around 80% of UK homes — no external PME device or earth rod is required. This saves cost, reduces installation time, and removes a common source of complexity.

Why Buying British-Built Actually Matters

This isn't patriotism for its own sake — the differences are practical and they affect your experience as an owner, installer, or specifier.