choosing the best tariff for an electric vehicle

pjlawrie

Thanks to Martin I switched my energy to GreenEnergy last year for a very good rate. They have now gone bust and EDF has taken over my account. As of now, EDF are maintaining my GreenEnergy tariff, so when I use Martin's handy checker, it tells me that I am already on the best possible tariff. I am taking delivery of a Nissan Leaf shortly and will have a smart charger installed in my garage, The charger-installer also installs Solar PV so I am thinking about installing 4Kw solar (with or without batteries). I understand that Octopus Energy have their Octopus GO tariff which gives very low rates in the early hours for charging the EV. However, when I look at Martin's checker, Octopus  would cost me around £500 more than the tariff I am on - which hardly seems a bargain. I don't know how long EDF will allow me to stay on the current tariff and I am also aware of Martin's prediction of energy prce hikes coming later in the year. For new Solar PV installations, FiT does not apply, so I have two questions: 1) should I change providers for cheap rate EV charging, and 2) what would be the best deal if I also install solar panels?
I live in a large draughty Victorian semi, so my annual energy consumption is high (6000Kwh for electricity and almost 30000Kw for gas (900 cu feet). I have been told the house would not be suitable for heat pumps in place of my CF100 gas boiler and there are only limited options for improving insulation.

[Deleted User]

Simple:  Octopus Go (4hrs at 5p/kWh) or Go Faster (5hrs at 5.5p/kWh). Both tariffs require a smart meter. If you get solar and apply for SEG, you can remain on Go with an export payment of 3p/kWh. If you switch to a standard Octopus tariff you can claim 5.5p/kWh for SEG. You do not need to use Octopus for gas.

A couple of other things to think about. You cannot install a battery without DNO approval. The DNO may impose an export limit: battery and solar. If you are going for solar then it is worth putting as many panels as you can on your roof within the export limit. For example, I have a 7kWp array with a 13.5kW Powerwall 2. My annual Grid import is about 750kWhs a year all at Octopus’ 5p/kWh rate. When my system is exporting from mid March to late September, I move to Agile for import and Agile Fixed (5.5p/kWh) for export. From September, I move back to Go for the cheap unit price and except the lower SEG when PV exports are low.

Xbigman

If you live in a large draughty house the best use of your money would be decent insulation and not solar panels.

Darren

Grumpy_chap

[Deleted User] said:

 You cannot install a battery without DNO approval.

Is that correct?
Surely it is only export that requires DNO approval, even then only above 3.68kW

MWT

Grumpy_chap said:

[Deleted User] said:

 You cannot install a battery without DNO approval.

Is that correct?
Surely it is only export that requires DNO approval, even then only above 3.68kW

Any battery system that can provide power during a power outage must be DNO approved.
They need to be sure that the ‘islanding’ is properly implemented to avoid danger to those working on the supply side.

Grumpy_chap

MWT said:

Grumpy_chap said:

[Deleted User] said:

 You cannot install a battery without DNO approval.

Is that correct?
Surely it is only export that requires DNO approval, even then only above 3.68kW

Any battery system that can provide power during a power outage must be DNO approved.
They need to be sure that the ‘islanding’ is properly implemented to avoid danger to those working on the supply side.

Thank you for explaining.
I was not aware of this requirement.

niktheguru

pjlawrie said:

Thanks to Martin I switched my energy to GreenEnergy last year for a very good rate. They have now gone bust and EDF has taken over my account. As of now, EDF are maintaining my GreenEnergy tariff, so when I use Martin's handy checker, it tells me that I am already on the best possible tariff. I am taking delivery of a Nissan Leaf shortly and will have a smart charger installed in my garage, The charger-installer also installs Solar PV so I am thinking about installing 4Kw solar (with or without batteries). I understand that Octopus Energy have their Octopus GO tariff which gives very low rates in the early hours for charging the EV. However, when I look at Martin's checker, Octopus  would cost me around £500 more than the tariff I am on - which hardly seems a bargain. I don't know how long EDF will allow me to stay on the current tariff and I am also aware of Martin's prediction of energy prce hikes coming later in the year. For new Solar PV installations, FiT does not apply, so I have two questions: 1) should I change providers for cheap rate EV charging, and 2) what would be the best deal if I also install solar panels?
I live in a large draughty Victorian semi, so my annual energy consumption is high (6000Kwh for electricity and almost 30000Kw for gas (900 cu feet). I have been told the house would not be suitable for heat pumps in place of my CF100 gas boiler and there are only limited options for improving insulation.

The smart octopus tariffs do not appear on the comparison websites. You need to go on octopus website and look at it. Octopus go faster is well worth it if you have an ev. You can charge at 4.5p - 5.5p depending on the tariff you choose when off peak. By far the cheapest way to charge at home if without a battery/solar at home. 

Verdigris

Have Octopus really got an apparent monopoly on TOU tariffs? Nobody else seems to get mentioned.

niktheguru

Here are a list of other TOU tariffs from other suppliers.....most are more expensive than octopus though, well at least before the recent price rise!

https://www.zap-map.com/charge-points/ev-energy-tariffs/

Verdigris

Thanks, ntg. Some of those, with the longer off-peak period, look useful, particularly if you have batteries to charge, or water to heat, in addition to charging the car. Some of the others fall into the "piece of cod that passeth all understanding" category.