Simpson & Partners EV Chargers (Basic vs Plus) | Full UK Buyer Guide
Simpson & Partners EV Charger Key Features — What Sets Them Apart
Simpson & Partners chargers are built differently. While most brands compete on charging speed and app features, Simpson & Partners focuses on longevity, repairability, and true smart energy integration. This is a charger designed to last 10–15 years — not to be replaced every five.
Simpson & Partners chargers stand out on three things most EV charger brands don’t even try to compete on: repairability (modular design, spare parts at cost price, 10-year enclosure warranty), smart energy integration (Octopus Intelligent, solar, V2G-ready), and integrated PME protection (no external WCED board or earth rod required). They’re built in-house in the UK with in-house software that updates over the air.
Most EV chargers are designed to be replaced. Parts aren’t available after warranty, the app gets discontinued, and you’re back to square one in five years. Simpson & Partners is built on the opposite philosophy: make it repairable, make it upgradeable, and make it smart enough to grow with your home energy setup.
The practical result: spare parts at cost price even out of warranty, a 10-year enclosure guarantee, and a charger that can support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) when that technology arrives — without buying a new charger to do it. Plus, the integrated PME protection means no extra boxes, no earth rod, and a simpler installation than most competing products.
Right to Repair & Modular Design — The Feature No One Else Offers
This is the most significant differentiator, and the one most buyers overlook until it matters. Most EV chargers are sealed units. When something fails, the entire unit is replaced. Simpson & Partners takes the opposite approach.
Modular internal components
Individual components can be replaced independently. A failed display, a connectivity module, or a control board doesn’t mean replacing the entire charger.
Spare parts at cost price
Available even out of warranty. A publicly published parts price list. This is genuinely unusual in the EV charging market and represents a real long-term cost advantage.
5-year hardware + 10-year enclosure warranty
The V3 hardware platform is backed by 5-year core hardware warranty and an exceptional 10-year enclosure warranty — reflecting genuine confidence in build quality.
10–15 year design lifespan
The explicit goal: a charger that doesn’t need replacing within the period most homeowners and landlords want to avoid major works.
Why this matters for installers and landlords: A charger that can be serviced rather than replaced means lower lifetime cost for clients and a better customer relationship for installers. It also means the charger you fit today will still be serviceable when your client calls you in 8 years.
How does right-to-repair work in practice?
When a component fails on a Simpson & Partners charger, the correct replacement part is identifiable from the published schematic and available to order at cost price. An installer can fit the part themselves — they don’t need to go back to the manufacturer.
This applies even after the warranty period. The commitment is that parts will be available at cost price for the life of the product range. For homeowners planning to stay in a property long-term, landlords with multiple units, and commercial sites managing maintenance budgets, this changes the total cost of ownership calculation significantly.
Integrated PME Protection — Simplest Compliant Install
Every Simpson & Partners charger includes built-in PEN fault detection. On a UK TN-C-S (PME) supply, this directly satisfies BS 7671 Regulation 722.411.4.1 without any additional devices.
With Simpson & Partners
Charger + Type A RCBO in consumer unit + SPD (per risk assessment). No external WCED board. No earth rod. Typical install: 1.5–2.5 hours.
With most other chargers
Charger + WCED PME board + RCBO. More components, more wiring, more commissioning. Typical install: 3–4 hours. Or earth rod route: 4–6 hours including Ra testing.
EcoHarmony also stocks WCED PME boards for installers needing external PME protection for other charger brands. But for Simpson & Partners installs, none of this is required — the charger handles it internally.
Smart Tariff Integration — Octopus, Kraken & Beyond
Simpson & Partners integrates natively with Octopus Energy smart tariffs via the Kraken platform — including Octopus Intelligent, the tariff that automatically dispatches charging to the cheapest overnight periods.
Octopus Intelligent
Direct integration. The charger and tariff communicate to schedule charging automatically at the cheapest overnight periods — no manual scheduling required.
Octopus Agile
Responds to real-time half-hourly price signals. Charges automatically during the cheapest windows — useful for users with unpredictable daily schedules.
Solar integration (Plus range)
Monitors solar PV generation and automatically diverts surplus into the vehicle instead of exporting at low SEG rates. Most effective in spring and summer.
Scheduled charging (all models)
Manual scheduling via app for Economy 7, Octopus Go, and any other time-of-use tariff. Set overnight windows, the charger handles the rest.
How much can smart tariff integration save?
The saving depends on the tariff, driving habits, and vehicle battery size — but the principle is straightforward. On Octopus Intelligent, the off-peak rate can be significantly lower than the standard rate. For a typical EV driver adding 8,000–10,000 miles per year, charging during cheap overnight windows rather than randomly through the day can represent a meaningful annual saving.
Solar diversion adds another layer: instead of exporting surplus solar at export rates of a few pence per kWh, that electricity goes into the car. The effective saving per kWh is the difference between the export rate and the rate you’d otherwise pay for grid electricity.
Wired & Wireless Load Management
Every Simpson & Partners model includes an energy manager for load balancing — with the Plus range adding wireless capability as an alternative to the wired CT clamp.
Wired load balancing (all models)
CT clamp connects via cable from the meter to the charger. Highly reliable — no signal dependency. Preferred approach for new builds and straightforward retrofits where running a cable is practical.
Wireless load balancing (Plus range)
Wireless CT clamp transmits energy data to the charger without a cable run. Particularly useful for retrofits in properties where routing a physical cable from the meter to an external charger location would be disruptive.
Why load balancing matters: Without it, the EV charger draws its full rated power regardless of what else is running in the property. On a typical 60A or 80A supply, running a 7kW charger plus a cooker, shower, and heat pump simultaneously could trip the main fuse. Load balancing prevents this by automatically reducing charge rate when household demand is high.
Over-the-Air Updates & In-House Software
Most EV charger software is developed by third parties and updated infrequently. Simpson & Partners builds their software entirely in-house:
- In-house development: Not dependent on third-party firmware suppliers. Control over the update roadmap and response time to compatibility issues.
- Fully encrypted: All communications and data are encrypted end-to-end.
- Over-the-air updates: Features, compatibility patches, and security updates delivered wirelessly. The charger improves over time without physical intervention.
- Continuous improvement: Unlike chargers where the software is essentially finished at point of sale, Simpson & Partners software evolves alongside changes in vehicle protocols, smart tariff APIs, and grid requirements.
OCPP & Home Automation Compatibility
OCPP support (Plus range)
Open Charge Point Protocol for commercial management, fleet charging, and multi-site control. Allows Simpson & Partners chargers to integrate into third-party platform ecosystems.
Home Assistant integration
Native compatibility with Home Assistant and other home automation platforms. Full control of the charger via third-party smart home systems.
Ethernet + WiFi
Plus range supports both Ethernet and WiFi connectivity. Ethernet provides more reliable connection for smart tariff dispatch and remote monitoring — useful where WiFi signal at the charger is weak.
No 4G / SIM dependency
Deliberately removed. No mobile network dependency, no SIM subscription, no performance variation by coverage area. Relies on the home network for all connectivity — simpler and more reliable.
V2G Ready — Future Technology Without a Future Charger Bill
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) allows the EV battery to discharge back into the home or grid — effectively turning the vehicle into a home battery. V2G-capable vehicles are becoming more common, and the technology is increasingly relevant to home energy management.
Simpson & Partners chargers are designed to be V2G-upgradeable at the hardware level. When V2G becomes a practical reality for the UK domestic market, existing Simpson & Partners chargers will be able to support it without a full unit replacement — through a hardware upgrade rather than a new installation.
Why this matters today: Even if you have no immediate interest in V2G, buying a V2G-capable charger now means you’re not forced into a replacement when the technology becomes mainstream. The charger you install today can grow with the technology.
True Load Balancing — Beyond Basic Load Limiting
Most chargers offer basic load balancing: a single CT clamp, a single charger, simple reduction when demand exceeds a threshold. Simpson & Partners goes further:
- Dynamic load management: Actively responds to changing household demand in real time — not just a fixed threshold reduction
- Multi-charger awareness: When multiple Simpson & Partners chargers are installed on a site, the system distributes available power intelligently between them
- MID metering option: MID-certified metering available for legally accurate billing — relevant for holiday lets, workplaces, and rental properties where charging cost needs to be passed on to users
Made in Britain — Designed and Built In-House
Simpson & Partners chargers are designed and manufactured in Britain, with both hardware and software developed entirely in-house. This is not typical in the EV charging market, where most brands source hardware from the same small number of Asian manufacturers and differentiate only on software and branding.
In-house design means tighter quality control, faster response to issues, and genuine control over the product roadmap. Improvements to the manufacturing process now mean most orders can be built and dispatched the same working day — despite offering a wide range of configurations and colour options.
Who Simpson & Partners Is Best Suited For
Long-term homeowners
Planning to stay in a property for 10+ years and want a charger that won’t need replacing mid-ownership. The warranty, repairability, and upgrade path are compelling for this scenario.
Solar panel owners
The Plus range’s solar diversion capability makes it a natural pairing with existing or planned solar PV systems. Charging from self-generated electricity rather than the grid at peak rates.
Holiday lets & rental properties
MID metering for accurate billing, reliability for unattended operation, and the right-to-repair model for long-term maintenance without manufacturer dependency.
Businesses & commercial sites
Multi-charger load balancing, OCPP for management platform integration, and scalable infrastructure that can be upgraded as fleet or site requirements evolve.
The Full Range from EcoHarmony
Basic Range (Socket & Tethered)
App control, scheduled charging, wired load balancing, integrated PME protection. Socket (use your own cable) or tethered (8m cable). Multiple colour options. OZEV approved. 5-year warranty.
View Basic Range →Plus Range (Socket & Tethered)
All Basic features plus: solar PV integration, Octopus Intelligent, wireless load balancing option, Ethernet + WiFi, OCPP, premium metal/wood finishes. Socket or tethered. 5-year warranty.
View Plus Range →Dual Freestanding
Post-mounted freestanding charger serving two vehicles. 22kW three-phase. Full Plus smart features. Premium finish. Integrated PME protection. For driveways where wall mounting isn’t possible.
View Freestanding →Ready to specify Simpson & Partners?
Full range UK-stocked. Expert advice on the right model, installation, and compliance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Simpson & Partners different from other EV charger brands?
Do Simpson & Partners chargers need an earth rod or WCED board?
What is the warranty on Simpson & Partners chargers?
Is Octopus Intelligent integration automatic or does it need configuring?
What does V2G-ready mean in practice?
Which model should I choose: Basic or Plus?
Are Simpson & Partners chargers OZEV approved?
Technical Glossary
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RCBO + Surge Protection – Fitted Consumer Unit IP40 – 3 Phase
Regular price From £69.00Regular price -
3-Phase PME PEN Fault Protection – 40A RCBO + Surge | Single EV Charger | BS7671 Compliant
Regular price From £85.00Regular price -
Fitted Consumer Unit IP40 – PME + 40A RCBO (Surge Protection + kWh Meter + Load Balancing Options Available)
Regular price From £88.00Regular price -
Fitted Consumer Unit IP65 - PME + 40A RCBO + Surge Protection
Regular price From £82.50Regular price -
Save £2.50
RCBO + Surge Protection Fitted Consumer Unit (IP30 / Indoor Use)
Regular price £32.50Regular price£35.00-£2.50 Sale price £32.50 -
IP65 Consumer Unit with RCBO + Type 2 Surge Protection
Regular price £33.50Regular price£26.00Sale price £33.50
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Simpson & Partners Cable Hook – Keep Your Charger Tidy & Stylish
Regular price £60.00Regular price -
Home Series 7 kW Plus Home EV Charger, Type 2 Tethered
Regular price From £665.00Regular price -
Home Series 7kW Plus EV Charger – Type 2 Socket
Regular price From £615.00Regular price -
Home Series 7kW Basic EV Charger – Type 2 Socket
Regular price £520.00Regular price -
Free Colour Sample Card – Simpson & Partners EV Chargers
Regular price £0.00Regular price
