Octopus Go - EV Tariff || WARNING ||

AntonyP

I was interested in Octopus' EV Tariff.  4 hours of offpeak electricity each night at 5p p/kwh.  This sounds great.  However they want to put me on an interim tarrif at 18p p/kwh and join their waiting list for a smart meter before I can take advantage of this offer.  Unfortunately, when you ask them how long the waiting list is, they put the phone down on you.  
Be careful - you could be signing up to a long term interim contract, with no guarantee when, if ever, you can move off!

[Deleted User]

AntonyP said:

I was interested in Octopus' EV Tariff.  4 hours of offpeak electricity each night at 5p p/kwh.  This sounds great.  However they want to put me on an interim tarrif at 18p p/kwh and join their waiting list for a smart meter before I can take advantage of this offer.  Unfortunately, when you ask them how long the waiting list is, they put the phone down on you.  
Be careful - you could be signing up to a long term interim contract, with no guarantee when, if ever, you can move off!

They have no option but to put you on an interim tariff until a smart meter is installed. You can choose any of their non smart tariffs: none of them have exit fees. My advice: contact the smart team at smart@octopus.energy outlining your situation as routine CS staff do not always have access to the specific information that you are asking for. 

welshmoneylover

Did they put the phone down if you were being rude? 

AntonyP

welshmoneylover  No - I'm very happy to share my recording of the entire phone call.  I am never rude.

MWT

It could have been an accidental disconnect of course but it doesn't really matter, it wouldn't have changed the answer even if the line hadn't dropped.

They can't begin the process to agree an install date for a smart meter until you have switched to them, so regrettably you either need to already have a smart meter or be willing to wait for an unspecified time if you wish to go onto a ToU tariff that requires a smart meter.

You don't have to stay on the variable tariff while you wait though, once switched you can move to any of the other tariffs that do not require a smart meter. 

niktheguru

Do you really expect them to put you on octopus go before you have a smart meter considering it's a tariff that relies on a smart meter? It's very clear on the website that this is the case.
Yes, it's frustrating that you can't get a smart meter install date until you ha e actually switched but it isn't all that bad. I went on tracker when I switched, then it took 3 weeks to get my smart meter installed and 3 days after that to be switched to go....not that bad really.

AntonyP

niktheguru said:

Do you really expect them to put you on octopus go before you have a smart meter considering it's a tariff that relies on a smart meter? It's very clear on the website that this is the case.
Yes, it's frustrating that you can't get a smart meter install date until you ha e actually switched but it isn't all that bad. I went on tracker when I switched, then it took 3 weeks to get my smart meter installed and 3 days after that to be switched to go....not that bad really.

@niketheguru
I am not querying the need for a smart meter, although I find it perverse that I would need a third different smart meter fitted in only four years!  I am however frustrated that they will not give any indication of any timeframe.  Not to much to ask is it? If only they could have relayed to me exactly what you are saying as an example of a typical outcome.

MWT

AntonyP said:

I am not querying the need for a smart meter, although I find it perverse that I would need a third different smart meter fitted in only four years!  I am however frustrated that they will not give any indication of any timeframe.  Not to much to ask is it? If only they could have relayed to me exactly what you are saying as an example of a typical outcome.

You may not need another smart meter if you already have one, do you know which meter you have and is it SMETS2 ?

They cannot give you a time-frame because the engineers are scheduled based on where people are located and how many people around that area can be fitted in for maximum efficiency, so any estimate they give you now is going to be wrong in either direction.

niktheguru

AntonyP said:

niktheguru said:

Do you really expect them to put you on octopus go before you have a smart meter considering it's a tariff that relies on a smart meter? It's very clear on the website that this is the case.
Yes, it's frustrating that you can't get a smart meter install date until you ha e actually switched but it isn't all that bad. I went on tracker when I switched, then it took 3 weeks to get my smart meter installed and 3 days after that to be switched to go....not that bad really.

@niketheguru
I am not querying the need for a smart meter, although I find it perverse that I would need a third different smart meter fitted in only four years!  I am however frustrated that they will not give any indication of any timeframe.  Not to much to ask is it? If only they could have relayed to me exactly what you are saying as an example of a typical outcome.

You'll need to find out what type of smart meter you have. If you have a smets2 then you'll be able to move onto go as soon as they're receiving 30min reading from it, which usually takes a couple of weeks from switching. If you have a smets1 then it'll need to be replaced. (Unless it's a secure branded one)

I do sympathise with the frustration that they don't even give you a ballpark figure for installation date until you actually switch. They just won't commit to it until you're their customer. Some people can get one within a week, others have waited a couple of months. Mine was about 3-4 weeks. It was definitely worth the wait though.

lohr500

Reading with interest as I would very much like to move onto the Octopus Go Faster tariff. Currently with EDF and have a smart meter install booked in for next week. Assuming we have better luck with the meter install this time round ( wouldn't work 9 months ago due to lack of radio signal) I was then planning on switching to Octopus. But I wouldn't want to be stuck on one of the other Octopus tariffs for too long.

[Deleted User]

lohr500 said:

Reading with interest as I would very much like to move onto the Octopus Go Faster tariff. Currently with EDF and have a smart meter install booked in for next week. Assuming we have better luck with the meter install this time round ( wouldn't work 9 months ago due to lack of radio signal) I was then planning on switching to Octopus. But I wouldn't want to be stuck on one of the other Octopus tariffs for too long.

If you have a working smart meter set up for 30 minute usage recording, then I would not expect any delay.