May switch from Ovo to Octopus - will it be any better?

[ct4s]

About to throw in the towel with Ovo.

I’ve been using the Ovo Charge Anytime tariff and Ovo app since Jan. And it’s been ok.
However, I have a second EV coming next which is not supported by the Ovo app, so I need a new charging strategy.
This week I’ve tried using the Ovo and Hypervolt Home 3 Pro integration, hoping this would work with both cars.
However, after 2 days of trying I cannot get the Taycan to charge. The apps are connected, but the car throws an error. It only works if I click “urgent charge” in the Ovo app and pay the full priced electric rate.

I may switch to Octopus because they have a much simpler approach where a set time has discounted electric, making setting timers straight forward (I hope).

So, if I switch to Octopus, I’m after a little advice.

Would I be best setting the charging though the Octopus app, Hypervolt app or through each car’s timer or profile?
My goal is to charge to a set amount rather than 100% each time; typically 75%.

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[anonymouse]

Not to confuse you but I’m in the process of switching OUT of Octopus as I move from a 24-hour (Agile) tariff to a day/night tariff.

Their service has been good, but (a) I don’t want a rate which requires integration with charging apps or car - there are just too many problems reported in here and in the Tesla forum; and (b) I would like a long overnight window as we have two cars and also I would like to top up our solar battery on cheap rate electricity (it‘s only a small battery but why not).

I am moving to E.On NextDrive which meets these requirements. It has 2 hours more overnight window (0000-0700) than Octopus Go, and cheaper rates too. And unlike OVO (if I understand correctly) you can put any appliances into the night window, not just cars.

 

[pauloamore]

Have had both.... I am now on Octopus IOG.

Benefits of IOG...
- Whole house tariff drops to the lower rate during a smart charge.
- Smart charging slots seem relatively plentiful and accurate.

I would go with a Myenergi (as I have) or Hypervolt for two cars. Better to use the charger than a cars integration (especially for multiple cars). That said, you can simply use the 2330 / 0530 slot to stay on top of a car that isnt integrated.

Benefits of OVO...
OVO has a slightly lower daytime tariff. But I have shited enough to demand to make up for that.

 

[ct4s]

Signed up with Octopus a few hours ago - life's too short to be messing about with Ovo.
Switch should happen next week. Fingers crossed for a better experience.

 

[Fish Fingers]

Signed up with Octopus a few hours ago - life's too short to be messing about with Ovo.
Switch should happen next week. Fingers crossed for a better experience.

Out of interest.
We are on Octopus IG.
When I sold the Taycan, I never added the new car.
I emailed them about it, as I read somewhere you need to do a smart charge at least once a month or they switch you to Go.

Anyway, they emailed back to say its fine to carry on without an assigned device.

Great for us - as we just use the timer on the charger for both cars.

And it used to be a bit patchy on the Taycan due to poor reception.

 

[Glygoo]

I'm on eon next EV tariff @ 6.7p per kwh between 00:00 and 07:00. I have had a 32A socket fitted in my garage and use the charger that came with my CT4. I use the Porsche app to control charge level and ready time. No problems whatsoever and it costs around £2-3 a night to charge to 85% depending on initial battery level. I sometimes use the dishwasher/washing machine/shower after midnight to take advantage of the lower rate.

 

[f1eng]

I have Ovo but they won't let me have the charge anytime tariff because I have solar cells and an old charge dispenser.
I have been charging 3 cars at standard rate for the last couple of years.
Is E.ON the best overnight tariff?
What is the normal tariff when ot off peak? Does it vary with location.

 

[ct4s]

No idea about E.ON.
But hopefully mid / late next week I can tell you what Octopus is like when it comes to charging 2 different EV brands.

 

[f1eng]

No idea about E.ON.
But hopefully mid / late next week I can tell you what Octopus is like when it comes to charging 2 different EV brands.

My plan is to just use the timer to charge during a cheap rate window.
I am over using apps to control anything if there is an alternative life it too short.

I write this as somebody who made my first money writing software in 1971. Fortran on punched cards and a mainframe.

 

[ct4s]

My plan is to just use the timer to charge during a cheap rate window.
I am over using apps to control anything if there is an alternative life it too short.

I write this as somebody who made my first money writing software in 1971. Fortran on punched cards and a mainframe.

Agree - the whole EV app system is an absolute mess.
If people can get over the depreciation and range anxiety, this would finish them off.

Suspect one day Google, Tesla etc will own all of the software, so it'll be properly [or at least better] written and integrated. So, EV software, charger and energy company.

Wow - punched cards - I remember seeing them once

 

[Dabz]

OVO has been great for me with the Taycan but horrendous on the mini EV. Every single Charge Anytime charge registers precisely 50% of the electric the car has taken (eg if the car has added 20kWH then CA says 10). OVO don’t want to know and have simply said “software sometimes has bugs, we can’t help”.

 

[W1NGE]

About to throw in the towel with Ovo.

I’ve been using the Ovo Charge Anytime tariff and Ovo app since Jan. And it’s been ok.
However, I have a second EV coming next which is not supported by the Ovo app, so I need a new charging strategy.
This week I’ve tried using the Ovo and Hypervolt Home 3 Pro integration, hoping this would work with both cars.
However, after 2 days of trying I cannot get the Taycan to charge. The apps are connected, but the car throws an error. It only works if I click “urgent charge” in the Ovo app and pay the full priced electric rate.

I may switch to Octopus because they have a much simpler approach where a set time has discounted electric, making setting timers straight forward (I hope).

So, if I switch to Octopus, I’m after a little advice.

Would I be best setting the charging though the Octopus app, Hypervolt app or through each car’s timer or profile?
My goal is to charge to a set amount rather than 100% each time; typically 75%.

Ovo is great why change?

 

[ct4s]

Ovo has no integration with the 2nd EV which arrives on Mon.
Followed Ovo's instructions to integrate their app with the Hypervolt app, but the scheduling failed each of the 3 nights I tried it.
I'm out of contract with Ovo, so signed with Octopus yesterday and will be live with them on Fri or Sat.
With Octo, each car can set a timer to charge during their cheap night period. A much simpler solution. [I hope].

 

[kurand]

OVO Charge Anytime is ok apart from the 1% or 2% overcharge per day after the day that the requested SoC is reached. I don’t use my Taycan everyday, so it can end up well over the requested SoC.

I‘m currently enrolled in the Power Move Flex trial, and that has made overcharging much worse. Repeatedly, it follows a pattern. On the first day, it reaches the requested SoC. On the 2nd day of being unused but plugged in, it gets an extra % or so above the requested SoC. However, on the 3rd day of being plugged in, it seems to get around 6% to 8% over the requested SoC. On the other hand, I have had quite a bit of rebate for leaving the car plugged in all the time its not in use.

 

[W1NGE]

OVO Charge Anytime is ok apart from the 1% or 2% overcharge per day after the day that the requested SoC is reached. I don’t use my Taycan everyday, so it can end up well over the requested SoC.

I‘m currently enrolled in the Power Move Flex trial, and that has made overcharging much worse. Repeatedly, it follows a pattern. On the first day, it reaches the requested SoC. On the 2nd day of being unused but plugged in, it gets an extra % or so above the requested SoC. However, on the 3rd day of being plugged in, it seems to get around 6% to 8% over the requested SoC. On the other hand, I have had quite a bit of rebate for leaving the car plugged in all the time its not in use.

I don't get an overcharge and always 85%.

I'm on the new service also but don't leave plugged in for morrebthat a day and always remove after my charge.

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