The Plus charger monitors your solar PV generation in real time via the CT clamp energy management system. When your panels are generating more power than your home is using, instead of exporting that excess to the grid at low export rates, the charger automatically diverts it into your EV.

The minimum charge rate is typically 1.4kW (6A × 230V), so you need at least that level of excess solar generation before diversion kicks in. The charger ramps between minimum and 7kW automatically as solar output fluctuates.

This is particularly effective in spring and summer when daytime generation is high and you can regularly add meaningful free range to your vehicle without drawing from the grid.

The Plus range integrates natively with Octopus Intelligent — a tariff that can automatically dispatch your charging to the cheapest overnight periods (typically 11pm–5am at very low unit rates). The charger and tariff communicate directly rather than relying on manual scheduling.

For users on Octopus Agile or other dynamic tariffs where prices change every 30 minutes, the Plus charger can respond to real-time price signals and charge during the cheapest windows automatically.

Over a year of regular charging, this kind of intelligent dispatch can make a significant difference to electricity costs — particularly as grid prices increasingly vary through the day.

Wired load balancing uses a physical CT clamp cable run from the main fuse/meter to the charger. It's highly reliable — no signal dependency, no interference. This is the preferred approach for new builds and straightforward installs where routing a cable isn't difficult.

Wireless load balancing uses a wireless CT clamp that transmits energy data to the charger without a cable run. It's particularly useful for retrofits where routing a CT clamp cable from the meter position to an external charger would require significant disruption — especially in older properties.

Both achieve the same outcome. Wired is more reliable; wireless is more flexible to install. The Plus range supports both. Basic supports wired only.

For most domestic installations where the charger is within reasonable WiFi range of the router, WiFi works fine. The Plus WiFi + Ethernet option is most valuable when: the charger is in a garage or on an external wall at the far end of the property where WiFi is weak; the installation is commercial where guaranteed connectivity is important; or the property already has Ethernet runs to outbuildings.

Ethernet eliminates the occasional connectivity drop that can cause app control or smart tariff scheduling to miss a session. For a charger managing automatic solar diversion or smart tariff dispatch, a dropped connection at the wrong moment can disrupt the intended charging pattern. Ethernet is the more reliable long-term choice for connected smart charging.

Load balancing monitors your household's total electricity consumption and adjusts the EV charge rate in real time to prevent the supply fuse from being overloaded. Without it, running the EV charger at full power alongside high household demand (cooker, shower, heat pump) could trip the main fuse.

Basic uses a wired CT clamp connected to the charger. Plus adds a wireless option. Both achieve the same safety outcome — the difference is installation method. Wired is more reliable; wireless is more flexible for difficult retrofit scenarios.

Available on Plus only. When your solar panels generate more power than your home is consuming, the charger detects this via the energy management system and automatically uses the surplus to charge your EV rather than exporting it at typically low SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) rates.

This is most effective on longer spring and summer days when generation is high. For homeowners who regularly have surplus solar, it can meaningfully reduce the effective cost of EV charging over a year.

The Plus range integrates with smart tariffs including Octopus Intelligent — which can schedule charging automatically to the cheapest overnight periods, typically at significantly reduced unit rates. This is more reliable than manual scheduling because the tariff and charger communicate directly.

For users on Octopus Agile or similar half-hourly variable pricing, the Plus system can respond to real-time price signals and charge during the cheapest windows. Over a year of regular use, the savings can be meaningful.

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is a communication standard that allows EV chargers to talk to backend management systems — useful for fleets, property managers, and commercial installations where centralised monitoring and control is needed. Simpson & Partners Plus supports OCPP for these scenarios. For standard domestic use, you won't need it.

Some EV chargers include built-in 4G mobile connectivity as a fallback when WiFi isn't available. Simpson & Partners deliberately removed this from their design. The reasons: 4G modules add cost, introduce a dependency on mobile network coverage and a data SIM subscription, and are a potential reliability weak point. The charger relies on the home network (WiFi or Ethernet) for connectivity — which is simpler, more reliable, and doesn't introduce ongoing subscription costs.