Charge Anytime and Ohme integration update: important information for our customers

Unfortunately, I can’t recommend any specific recourse options. It’s complicated legal stuff that I prefer to avoid getting bogged down in.

What you do is ultimately at your own discretion. I can only warn you about options that may be too risky.

I have just moved to Octopus this morning due to this. I have been with Ovo for 16 years.

They were brilliant when they first started but customer servcie has gone significantly downhill during this time. 

*removed by mod*

Looking at the reviews for the Charge Anytime app, even though both of ours cars are on the list, I need to know that my car will be charged in the morning and the reviews state that there is absolutely no way that will be guaranteed!

This is dreadful from OVO. It’s fodder to those who argue that EVs are not practical. I purchased Ohme because of OVO and 2 years later the relationship has ended. The Ohme app has been very easy to use and I think I’ll stick with that and ditch OVO.

Extremely disappointed with the way this has been handled. I am fortunate in that my one year fix is up in a month anyway (and I will be leaving OVO, even if I had a compatible vehicle, this is unacceptable).

To think they were still recommending installation of Ohme chargers to make use of Charge Anytime only a couple of months ago. What a complete betrayal of your customers.

The requirement to pay a month up front is not a definitive requirement. Generally, most suppliers charge in advance with DD, but you can choose to pay on receipt of bill via variable DD if preferred. If you are concerned about payments during the switchover period then you can choose to set your DD at a low amount to begin with. The joining bonus will also cover a proportion of your first monthly payment as well, then you can readjust your payments the following month.

You can switch using a link online. You'll start off on either the flexible or fixed tariff (whichever you choose) until they confirm they are getting your smart meter readings. Then you can agree to the terms and conditions of the Intelligent tariff and you'll complete a quick 'test charge' to make sure the charger is communicating. This is usually very quick and then you'll be moved to the EV tariff.

I'd pair the Ohme charger rather than pairing your car as it's generally more reliable. You can then use the app to adjust your requird charge to add and ready time.

I'm in the process of arranging an install of a charger for my EV.

I noticed at the beginning of May the had stopped offering installs of Ohme chargers. 

This now shows why the stopped offering installs at least a month ago.

Worth noting if you’re within 53 days of your contract ending they won’t charge exit fees. 
my contract ends in August but if I wait till July 3rd I can exit with no fees. 
 

First night of plugging in via the charge anytime app and I received no charge. It did not identify that I had plugged in. 
 

My Ohme charger kept trying to charge instantly upon connection as no schedule was set so I had to pause it. My Kia app showed it was connected but the charge anytime app did not recognise it. 
 

I have a Kia Niro so technically on the beta (it’s been on beta for two years!) did anyone successfully charge?

Annoyingly you can’t even revert back to previous until the 15/7. I’ve got 80 miles left and not looking forward to a full charge at 3.5x the price. 

I bought Ohme charger for about £1000 under their recommendation and have just signed up for a fixed year. I will be taking legal action to recover the cost of the charger and any exit fees they try and charge me  if they don’t change something. Surely whatever upgrade, actually downgrade, they are planning can be amended or  rescinded. Cant be rocket science. 

this is exactly what happened to me.

I have a Kia EV3 which was also on the beta.

you need to leave it ten mins  then it does recognise the car, as it takes that long for the two apps to talk to each time. (I had this confirmed by Ovo)

Then when mine went to charge, it charged for the grand total of 1% of my battery at a cost of 6p

that was the final straw

I move to Octopus on Saturday

I didn't have to pay any exit fees with Ovo, and I would have refused to do so anyway.

I am genuinely saddened, as I had been with Ovo for over 10 years, even when I could have moved to pay less. the service was good, and we had no issues.

However

Between be being charged £150 for an isolation switch that all other providers install free of charge

then this after only having my charger for 33 days, to lose all service and basically turn it into a door stop.

I just couldn’t stay with them as the service has deteriorated so badly.

I managed to sort it out and set my DD for when I usually pay with no need to pay anything now.

Octopus so far have been pretty good, getting it all set up etc………...

I spoke to someone and apparently its to do with the apps.

Ovo asked Ohme to do something they were not prepared to do, so they decided to part ways.

I have to say after seeing the octopus app

the ohme app

and then the charge anytime app - it is miles away from both. and IT would have been smarter for them to develop it further first before jumping ship, would probably have reduced the impact significantly. 

I waited over an hour before heading to bed but it still never posted to read that the car was connected, despite this it could read the SoC. 

I was thinking of moving to Octopus now. Can you confirm if you require a working smart meter or is the Ohme charger enough? I have an old Gen 1 smart meter and it does not connect with providers. I’ve been trying to get a Gen 2 for 3 years to no avail. I asked one company previously but they require a working smart meter.

You'd require a working smart meter that was able to send readings. What make is your meter? If it's not compatible then it's fairly straightforward to get a new one to enable the smart tariffs.

I’m confused here. Why would I delete the Charge Anytime add-on from my account, then set up my car using the app??

Hi all, 

Firstly, we're sorry if you've heard about what's happening with your charger and Charge Anytime from Ohme before us. That was never the plan - we’d planned for you to hear it from us first.

We’ve recently updated the technology behind Charge Anytime. This is so we can keep making improvements and create new products that reward customers for driving EVs. Ohme hasn’t integrated with this technology. That means that from 15 July 2025, Ohme chargers won’t be able to connect to Charge Anytime.

If you have a compatible vehicle, we really hope you’ll follow the steps in our email to connect via your EV. Connecting via your EV shouldn't be any less reliable than connecting via your charger. You’ll then use the Charge Anytime app to manage all of your charging.

If you don’t have a compatible vehicle, we’ll be sad to see you go, but understand that you may want to switch suppliers so that you can continue to benefit from a lower smart charging rate elsewhere. If you’re on a fixed tariff with exit fees, please contact our team who can waive these for you. Please note, exit fees can only be waived if you don’t have a compatible vehicle.

The Ohme is a decent charger. Unfortunately Ohme no longer wish to play ball with OVO, but that doesn't mean you can't make use of that particular charger. There won't be any exit fees if you decide to switch if your car is not compatible with Charge Anytime.

Hi ,

Thanks for getting in touch, and for being part of Charge Anytime.

I'm really sorry about the news - and yes, it's true. From 15 July, Ohme chargers will no longer be supported on Charge Anytime. We’re updating the technology behind Charge Anytime to support essential future enhancements. Unfortunately, Ohme hasn't integrated with this new technology. 

As you've mentioned, your EV isn't currently compatible with Charge Anytime. If you're currently on a fixed OVO tariff and you chose to switch supplier, we can waive your exit fees by moving you onto our standard variable-rate tariff, Simpler Energy. We'll need to speak to you to do this. Please call us on 0330 175 9678 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday on and we can walk you through this process when it suits you. 

If you are already on our standard variable rate, "Simpler Energy", and decide to switch away to find an alternative tariff that suits you better you will be able to move away without receiving exit fees.

I’m really sorry this isn’t better news. Of course, we’d rather help you stay, but it’s important you have the setup that works best for you - and right now, that might mean a move.

If there’s anything else I can do to help, just let me know.

Thanks

Bradley

Why can't Ohme integrate? You recommended Ohme chargers to customers, including myself, so I'd expect you both to overcome any problems.

Why only a months notice, surely you should be providing at least 3 months?

What about those of use who have an EQA but have, at OVO’s previous recommendation, recently Installed an Ohme Home Pro charger that won’t be supported after 15/07/2025?

It works well enough that you’ll get a charge out of it, you just won’t get a 100% guaranteed perfect experience every time - that’s the idea of a Beta.

However, the Charge Anytime team will assist if something does go wrong - you’ll just have to give them a heads up and they’ll dig the logs.

Followed all the steps, and the smart charging app simply doesn't work. I have a Toyota CH-R PHEV so the app is in beta.

I bought the charger because it worked with OVO and now it's been slipped away with a month's notice. I'm so angry about it, and Ohme have certainly washed their hands of blame.

Something stinks, and I don't think it's my Ohme charger.

Can't even shift supplier because you're gonna rob me of the £95 per fuel. Bit of a disgrace, OVO.

This “we’ve upgraded the technology” excuse is nonsense. Octopus have been using the exact same “Enode” technology, integrated with their own Kraken technology, for a long time, and they still support Ohme and have no plans to ditch it. This is just pure laziness and a poor attempt at cost saving on development from OVO. You’re going to lose more custom than you’re going to save.