Don't switch? But what if you've recently bought an electric vehicle (EV)?

Lockie85

Hi,

While I'm aware switching is generally a bad idea right now. I don't believe it's as clean-cut for those who have recently purchased an electric vehicle (EV). As usual I'm sure the answer is it depends.

The short version of our situation is currently we use around 4200 kWh annually. I'm expecting this to increase by around 2000 given we'll be doing around 6000 miles a year (I hope this bit is roughly right. I found it hard to discover). The 2000 kWh annual usage could be paid for on a night rate (i.e. Octopus Go at 7.5p/ kWh), and while this would increase our day rate (by around 5p/ kWh) overall the cost appears to come out cheaper.

 I wondered if others had come to a similar conclusion based on their own calculations?

Many Thanks

Ant555

Lockie85 said:

While I'm aware switching is generally a bad idea right now. I don't believe it's as clean-cut for those who have recently purchased an electric vehicle (EV). 

Many suppliers are not taking on new customers so switching suppliers may not be easy even if you wanted to.

Lockie85

Ant555 said:

Up till recently many suppliers were not taking on new customers so switching may not be easy even if you wanted to.

On the Octopus site they appear to imply you can, but you need to call them to do so:

MWT

Lockie85 said:

Ant555 said:

Up till recently many suppliers were not taking on new customers so switching may not be easy even if you wanted to.

On the Octopus site they appear to imply you can, but you need to call them to do so:

Yes, you should be fine switching to Octopus for the 'Go' tariff, just be aware that you will need a working smart meter so you may have to join on a different tariff while they get connected to your existing smart meter, or arrange to have oner installed if you don't already have one.

Do make sure you ask someone who is already with Octopus to give you a referral code as that will help mitigate the extra cost while you are on the temporary tariff.

Depending upon which vehicle you are getting, the Intelligent Octopus tariff may be a better choice, so something else to consider.

I am with Octopus on the Tesla Energy Plan which is another option but that requires a Tesla Powerwall so may not be one for you.

Lockie85

MWT said:

I am with Octopus on the Tesla Energy Plan which is another option but that requires a Tesla Powerwall so may not be one for you.

Funny you mention this because it's something I was considering. From what I've seen though I thought you also required Solar, not only the Powerwall to join the Tesla Energy Plan.

The reason I was looking at the Powerwall was because I wondered if I could charge the Powerwall on the nightly rate as well as my Tesla Model Y. Use the Powerwall in the day (we use 11kWh per day on average, PW is 13.5kWh I believe), so we don't ever go onto their day rate. I.E. we're always (mostly) running off the 7.5p tariff.

Is this what you've done and do you have solar to or not?

[Deleted User]

Lockie85 said:

MWT said:

I am with Octopus on the Tesla Energy Plan which is another option but that requires a Tesla Powerwall so may not be one for you.

Funny you mention this because it's something I was considering. From what I've seen though I thought you also required Solar, not only the Powerwall to join the Tesla Energy Plan.

The reason I was looking at the Powerwall was because I wondered if I could charge the Powerwall on the nightly rate as well as my Tesla Model Y. Use the Powerwall in the day (we use 11kWh per day on average, PW is 13.5kWh I believe), so we don't ever go onto their day rate. I.E. we're always (mostly) running off the 7.5p tariff.

Is this what you've done and do you have solar to or not?

You have to have PV Solar for the TEP:

Quote: The Tesla Energy Plan (TEP) is an energy tariff specifically designed for homes with solar and Powerwall installed, offering 100% clean electricity. Installing solar and Powerwall and joining can yield savings up to 64% compared to Big Six tariffs, based on electricity consumption of 8,000 kWh/year. Unquote

TEP is designed to offer you (and the Grid) energy at an agreed import/export price. Most TEP exports happen when demand is high. For those with a PW2 and an EV but no solar, I would suggest Go or Go Faster.

MWT

Lockie85 said:

MWT said:

I am with Octopus on the Tesla Energy Plan which is another option but that requires a Tesla Powerwall so may not be one for you.

Funny you mention this because it's something I was considering. From what I've seen though I thought you also required Solar, not only the Powerwall to join the Tesla Energy Plan.

The reason I was looking at the Powerwall was because I wondered if I could charge the Powerwall on the nightly rate as well as my Tesla Model Y. Use the Powerwall in the day (we use 11kWh per day on average, PW is 13.5kWh I believe), so we don't ever go onto their day rate. I.E. we're always (mostly) running off the 7.5p tariff.

Is this what you've done and do you have solar to or not?

Yes, you do need solar, but these days the cost of solar isn't usually the impediment, it is the Powerwall.

... but if solar isn't a practical option for you then 'Go'/'Go Faster' will work and yes, could be used with a Powerwall, or any other home battery system, but as your EV is compatible, you'll probably find the longer low rate on 'Intelligent' is even more suitable.

Lockie85

Thank you to both, interesting.

One additional question, do you know if a Tesla Powerwall will fully charge its 13.5kWh battery within the short low rate window (4 hours) Octopus provides? As ideally I'd be looking to charge the 13.5kWh PW2 battery AND my 75kWh Tesla Model Y battery. Although, it will be rare my Tesla battery requires a full charge.

We're on a single phase supply so I'd assume that would limit us. Did you have any information on this?

QrizB

Lockie85 said:

The reason I was looking at the Powerwall was because I wondered if I could charge the Powerwall on the nightly rate as well as my Tesla Model Y. Use the Powerwall in the day (we use 11kWh per day on average, PW is 13.5kWh I believe), so we don't ever go onto their day rate. I.E. we're always (mostly) running off the 7.5p tariff.

Do note that the Tesla Energy Plan is a flat rate tariff; there is no "day" or "night" rate.

As MWT says, compared to the price of a Powerwall a few kWh of solar PV is a relatively cheap addition.

MWT

Lockie85 said:

Thank you to both, interesting.

One additional question, do you know if a Tesla Powerwall will fully charge its 13.5kWh battery within the short low rate window (4 hours) Octopus provides? As ideally I'd be looking to charge the 13.5kWh PW2 battery AND my 75kWh Tesla Model Y battery. Although, it will be rare my Tesla battery requires a full charge.

We're on a single phase supply so I'd assume that would limit us. Did you have any information on this?

Yes, the PW2 can comfortably charge to full within the 4 hours of 'Go' on single phase, that is what I have right now.

On TEP mine usually charges at 3.6kW, but it can go as high as 5kW if it needs to.

May want to make sure you have a 100A fuse though to allow room for car charging as well.

Seriously though, you should find the newer 'Intelligent' tariff much better for you than 'Go' as it has a longer cheap rate period and often gives you cheap rate slots at other times of day. At least take a look before assuming 'Go' is the best option if you are not considering solar + PW2 for TEP.

savers_united

QrizB said:

Lockie85 said:

The reason I was looking at the Powerwall was because I wondered if I could charge the Powerwall on the nightly rate as well as my Tesla Model Y. Use the Powerwall in the day (we use 11kWh per day on average, PW is 13.5kWh I believe), so we don't ever go onto their day rate. I.E. we're always (mostly) running off the 7.5p tariff.

Do note that the Tesla Energy Plan is a flat rate tariff; there is no "day" or "night" rate.

As MWT says, compared to the price of a Powerwall a few kWh of solar PV is a relatively cheap addition.

£15k I have been quoted for a fully installed PW2 and 4kw of solar. Already have an EV, so I could make alot of sense, was quite surprised by how much solar prices have fallen and quality /efficiency of product increased  In less than a decade, its the total opposite with battery storage so undecided about the PW2, its alot of money for the amount of storage and products useful life, trying to workout the payback is not easy, but if I get it done with the solar will be exempt from Vat.