FAQs & Resources

We strongly recommend that you speak to a qualified and experienced installer before you buy an Alpha7 EV charger.  An installer will be able to advise you on: the suitability and complexity of your installation, the most appropriate type of product, and give you an idea of the total cost involved.  Contact us if you have any concerns.

A qualified installer will be able to answer this question for you, considering the specifics of your installation.  The type of cable also needs to be considered, according installation specifics.  As a guide: for a 16A installation a 4sq mm cable is likely to be required; for a 32A installation a 6sq mm cable is likely unless the installation length is relatively short.

We’re closer than you think!  Because we both design and manufacture in the UK, we are able to take advantage of some of the great manufacturers that we have here in the UK.  

Our plastics are moulded in Birmingham, our PCBs are assembled in Halesowen, the foam seals are squirted in Leamington Spa, the ribbon cable comes from Leicester, the sticky badges from Merseyside, and our boxes and screws are from right here in Shrewsbury.  You are supporting British manufacturing by buying a FastAmps EV charger: we are proud members of MadeInBritain®.

For the simplest installations, in the most competitive parts of the country, prices can start at around £750, including the charger, including labour, and including VAT.  Such an installation might be where the electricity supply is on an outside wall, immediately next to where the charger is to be situated, fitted by an electrician that is very local to the job.

Big cost-drivers include: the number of walls to drill through, the distance between your meter and where you would like the charger to be installed, and how “up to date” your electrics are.  Routing cables under floorboards or through ceilings can take a significant amount of time and digging trenches is very expensive indeed.  Electricians’ rates typically vary from £30 to £60 per hr, but this may increase to over £100 per hr in London: this has a significant bearing on the final cost.

FastAmps have hundreds of installers across the UK with a wealth of EV charger install experience: our friendly team will work with you to find the right installer in your area.

Yes.  The Alpha7 fulfills the requirements of both the domestic and workplace schemes.  The domestic scheme applies to homeowners who live in flats or people living in rental accomodation.  You must have dedicated off-street parking, own an EV, and have not already claimed a previous grant.  Note that not all plug-in hybrid cars are eligible.  The full list of rules, on the government website can be found here.  Please talk to your installer about applying for the grant.

Yes, no problem.  Have a look at our map for our list of installers or please contact us if you would like more information or are concerned about a quoted cost for an installation: we can give you advice if you need it.  

Just now, FastAmps are selling in the UK market.  The Alpha7 is designed to be compatible throughout Europe and the USA.  Please contact us for further information.

Check that the Alpha7’s green LED is on: this means it is ready.  Plug one end of the cable into your car and the other end into the charger.  Press the "now" button.  The blue LED will show and that’s it!  The car and the charger will talk to each other and sort everything else out.   It is simple, straightforward, and reliable. 

Enabling the Solar Integration with your Alpha7 EV charger has the potential to significantly reduce your electricity bills.  A current clamp is fitted to the output of your solar array.  When connected to the Alpha7, the current clamp gives a signal informing the Alpha7 charger how much power the solar array is producing.  The Alpha7 charger can use this signal, 4 times per second, to match the EV charging output to the power generated by the array, up to a maximum of 32 amps.  Pressing the solar button enables this function.  The green LED above the solar button is lit when this function is active.  When operational, the maximum current drawn from the mains will be 6 amps.  The Alpha7 will operate as a normal charger when the solar button LED is not lit.  It is set to "inoperative" as default, to avoid unintentional operation.  This function (if required) is enabled using the Fastamps App.  

The mounting dimensions for Alpha7 EV charger are simple and straightforward: 4 off holes in a rectangle 215 by 95mm.  High quality stainless steel screws and DeWalt wall plugs are supplied with the Alpha7.  The drill size for the wall plugs supplied is 8mm, drill depth of at least 40mm.

Alternatively you may wish to consider the FastAmps Alpha7 EV charger mounting post: see the Shop for details.