Octopus EV charging rip-off coming end January

QrizB

bigpops said:

The great Octopus EV charging rip-off.

Not a rip-off, this has been in the T&C for Intelligent Go from the start.

Previously discussed here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6644645/intelligent-octopus-go-limiting-cheap-charging

chrisw said:

Ohme chargers were throttling the charge rates but for at least the last two weeks mine has been charging at the maximum rate, so I assume that part of it is just about sorted.

My charger is an Ohme, and I've also had charging throttled in the past. Octopus said that Ohme were looking at fixing this.

Good to hear that they have done so.

bigpops

You may be interested in this extract from an email I have received from Octopus -


"Our scheduling algorithm aims to balance what is best for the grid and your household’s energy use, so it decides when to supply the cheap 6 hours of charging and at what rate, within those constraints."

I'll trust Octopus when they spell out what the new system will actually do.

Qyburn

I don't currently have anything compatible with IOG so at the moment this is just academic interest, but I have two questions. 

(1) This 6 hours maximum EV charging, is that in addition to the standard 6 hours 2330-0530? Or is it in total? The latter leading to the anomaly that if you don't charge overnight you get 6 hours cheap rate during the rest of the day in addition, whereas if you charge 2330-0530 you can't get any more.

(2) Outside 2330-0530 is Octopus actually obliged to provide any cheap rate charging, if grid conditions are such that it doesn't suit them?

QrizB

Qyburn said:

(1) This 6 hours maximum EV charging, is that in addition to the standard 6 hours 2330-0530? Or is it in total? 

Yes. And no.

Six fixed hours for the whole house excluding any Intelligent-connected EV charger. Six variable hours for the Intelligent-connected charger, those six including none, some or all of the fixed whole-house hours.

Qyburn said:

(2) Outside 2330-0530 is Octopus actually obliged to provide any cheap rate charging, if grid conditions are such that it doesn't suit them?

You plug in your EV and tell Octopus (or Ohme) what charge you want and what time you need it by (that time being between 0400-1100).

Octopus then picks smart charging slots to get you as close as possible to your desired result.

The supposed "problem" is people deliberately plugging in late, say 0600, and asking for 35kWh of charge by 1100. They can force the system to give them those five hours at the cheap rate.

bigpops

From Octopus' email to their customers -The fundamental benefits of Intelligent Octopus Go remain the same:

• Intelligent Octopus Go customers will continue to receive 6 hours of off-peak electricity for your whole home between 11:30pm and 5:30am. Guaranteed, reliable, schedule-friendly off-peak savings.

• Plus up to 6 hours of super-cheap smart charging every 24 hours – these may be during your home’s off-peak hours (11:30pm - 05:30am), outside those times, or a mix of both.

• Whenever the 6 hours smart charging is scheduled outside your off-peak window, the electricity for your whole home will also be at the discounted rates.

• If we need to schedule more than 6 hours to reach your target charge, only the first 6 hours of charging will be at the discounted rate – extra half-hours will be charged at your Bump rate (even if they’re scheduled during the off-peak window).

zxzxzx

If you feel you are being ripped off, vote with your feet.

Keep_pedalling

Qyburn said:

I don't currently have anything compatible with IOG so at the moment this is just academic interest, but I have two questions. 

(1) This 6 hours maximum EV charging, is that in addition to the standard 6 hours 2330-0530? Or is it in total? The latter leading to the anomaly that if you don't charge overnight you get 6 hours cheap rate during the rest of the day in addition, whereas if you charge 2330-0530 you can't get any more.

No it is 6 hours in total (regardless of the charge rate), but if Octopus allocate a charge slot outside that time the rest of your electricity use will get the additional charge rate. 

(2) Outside 2330-0530 is Octopus actually obliged to provide any cheap rate charging, if grid conditions are such that it doesn't suit them?

I don’t think they are. 

bigpops

From sometime in January Intelligent Octopus Go will implement a 6 hour maximum charging period per day for EVs.

With a normal home charger this equates to about 100 miles' worth of charge - any more will be at the higher unit rate.

So if I keep the app setting for 100% charge by 8am and I need more than 100 miles' worth, some of it will be at the higher rate. This is new and looks expensive.

Any thoughts?

Netexporter

Find a better deal if you don't like it.

tim_p

Thoughts?  How does your maths and right foot work?  6 hours at 7kW = 42kWh. My car in winter gets around 3.6miles / kWh, so around 150 miles. Same car in summer temps gets around 4.6m/kWh meaning around 190. You must be driving with a heavy right foot (2.4m/kWh?) to only be getting 100 miles. 

Given your obvious animosity towards Octopus the answer is surely to move elsewhere. Easily done.