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bricon1937
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Oct 30, 2026 8:25 AM UTC
Question

Charge anytime

I have an Ovo account with the Economy 9 tarriff,which suits our requirements having storage heaters.

I now have a Kia EV2 electric car which I charge with a 3kw Voldt charger on a dedicated feed from an RCBO to a 3 pin EV socket in my garage.

Can I use Charge anytime with this arrangement and if so how does it work ?

Such as how does Ovo know when I use power for the EV only ?

At present my Off Peak is approximately 0.21p

Thanks

Brian

6 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
Oct 30, 2026 9:29 AM UTC

Howdy ​@bricon1937 ,

I’m not aware of any restrictions at the moment, but could you snap photos of the charging setup for us? Definitely chop out your VIN and registration plate - we don’t need those!

But AFAIK, you can do this via Kia AllDayEnergy that just launched. Head into the Kia app then hit Vehicle → Charging and follow the steps from there. https://connect.kia.com/uk/customer-support/alldayenergy-faq/

Any trouble, give the team a call on 0330 175 9678 and they’ll help ya out.

Everything is done via the vehicle - and the telemetry is what tells OVO when you’re Smart Charging. :)

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    Rank 1
    bricon1937Author
    Rank 1
    Oct 30, 2026 2:55 PM UTC

    Well,I have spent hours and got nowhere. The Kia app sends me back to Ovo .When I try to set up Ovo charging by putting in the car details the process comes to a stop.

    I will stick with what I have to save my sanity 

    Peter E
    Super User
    Peter ESuper User
    Super User
    Oct 30, 2026 10:13 AM UTC

    Hi ​@bricon1937 

     

    I had not heard of your charger so I searched for it. With 3 pin chargers is also a question of safety and there are two parts to this. Plug safety and Open PEN safety.

     

    Plug Safety. Although 3 Pin sockets are rated for 13A, the continuous rating is only 10A. Dirty or corroded pins of outside sockets/pins over time can result in severe burning or even a fire The solution for that (what I've done) is to replace the fused 3 Pin for a compliant 16A Commando Socket. That is rated for 16A (or 32A) continuous. It looks like this.

     

    https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1939528-32a-2p-e-240v-interlocked-switch-socket-ip44

     

    Open PEN safety. If you have TT electrical system then this is not required. If you are TN-C-S (most houses are) then under certain cable fault conditions, in the supply to your house, the car body can end up at a different potential to the ground it is standing on causing a possible shock hazard. To avoid that you have an Open PEN (open circuit protective earth neutral) unit that recognises the fault and totally disconnects the car including the earth for the duration of the fault condition.

     

    https://sandwichelectrical.co.uk/how-to/understand-open-pen-fault-protection.html

     

    The risk of the first one is small but increases with age of the 3 pin plug and socket.

     

    The risk of the second one is small but it is presented to anyone coming into contact with the car whilst it is plugged in. It doesn't have to be charging to present a risk.

     

    Peter

    Reducing my yearly fossil fuel usage with an EV (-900 litres petrol saving about £950/year), A2AHP (-8,700 kWh gas, cost neutral) and Timed Immersion heater (-1,500 kWh gas, £20/year more expensive but reducing as the gas price goes up)
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    bricon1937Author
    Rank 1
    Oct 30, 2026 1:37 PM UTC

    Voldt are one of the largest suppliers of chargers in Europe and the one I have has the protection you mention inbuilt.

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    bricon1937Author
    Rank 1
    Oct 30, 2026 10:58 AM UTC

    Gees,I thought it would be easy 🙈 Not everyone is a computer geek. 

      Rank 1
      bricon1937Author
      Rank 1
      Oct 30, 2026 11:02 AM UTC

      I have an EV rated socket & a 32 amp rcbo on a dedicated feed.

      The charger plug is barely warm in any circumstance.

       

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

      OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd