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Meet the new Charge Anytime!

  • September 24, 2025
  • 319 replies
  • 15109 views
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319 replies

  • Newcomer
  • October 3, 2025

It’s a shame, as I have been with Ovo for YEARS and have recommended lots of friends and family join. Not now - greediness is not a good look.

 

 

This is possibly not greed driven, rather around some creative number-juggling due to this:

https://news.sky.com/story/energy-supplier-ovo-admits-non-compliance-with-ofgem-capital-regime-13438573
 


  • Newcomer
  • October 4, 2025

It’s a shame, as I have been with Ovo for YEARS and have recommended lots of friends and family join. Not now - greediness is not a good look.

 

 

This is possibly not greed driven, rather around some creative number-juggling due to this:

https://news.sky.com/story/energy-supplier-ovo-admits-non-compliance-with-ofgem-capital-regime-13438573
 

I have been paying £330pm for a few years though, was a duel fuel customer, have high electricity usage, charge two EVs, have always paid by direct debit on time - so should have been a good customer to keep. The increased EV charging will add £40-50pm on my bill, and the E.on plan is actually going to be cheaper than I have been paying Ovo


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  • Rank 2
  • October 5, 2025

Is Eon next drive smart definitely 24/7 smart charging? Can you tell it to be ready by 4pm?


  • Newcomer
  • October 6, 2025

For those of you looking at Octopus, note the Sky News article’s comment:

“Octopus Energy, which has overtaken British Gas to become Britain's largest household energy supplier, publicly revealed its own non-compliance with the rules earlier this year.”

https://news.sky.com/story/energy-supplier-ovo-admits-non-compliance-with-ofgem-capital-regime-13438573

 

(Thank you to @file-Beddo and @MikeB for spotting these articles.)


  • Newcomer
  • October 6, 2025

Is Eon next drive smart definitely 24/7 smart charging? Can you tell it to be ready by 4pm?

According to their website - yes, for NextDrive Smart 5.2:
 

 


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  • Newcomer
  • October 7, 2025

NextDrive Smart currently directs you to NextDrive Fixed V11. I’ve done the maths and put everything through a spreadsheet. The current offering from EON is marginally more expensive than OVO (even with the OVO 14p per kWh car charging rate). The only way to make it cheaper is to  make sure that high usage devices (dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer etc.) are run overnight and if possible to also charge a battery wall too. For me it’s not worth the hassle. Here’s the rates as of today:

 


  • Newcomer
  • October 7, 2025

NextDrive Smart currently directs you to NextDrive Fixed V11. I’ve done the maths and put everything through a spreadsheet. The current offering from EON is marginally more expensive than OVO (even with the OVO 14p per kWh car charging rate). The only way to make it cheaper is to  make sure that high usage devices (dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer etc.) are run overnight and if possible to also charge a battery wall too. For me it’s not worth the hassle. Here’s the rates as of today:

 

Next Drive Smart 5.2 is offered to people with a compatible EV and charger. I got the rate for my Tesla Model 3, but not for my Lexus RZ. I can smart charge the Tesla, and just charge the Lexus between 00:00-06:00, so will get the 6.5p kWh for charging both cars


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  • Newcomer
  • October 7, 2025

Hi ​@Neillb ,

I just tried a quote using a Tesla Model 3 and a Hypervolt charger and that brought up the NextDrive Smart 5.2 tariff. I put that through my spreadsheet and it’s still marginal in my case, so I’m going to stay with OVO for now.

 


  • Newcomer
  • October 7, 2025

Hi ​@Neillb ,

I just tried a quote using a Tesla Model 3 and a Hypervolt charger and that brought up the NextDrive Smart 5.2 tariff. I put that through my spreadsheet and it’s still marginal in my case, so I’m going to stay with OVO for now.

 

@bishopbn fair enough! With the cost of EV charging adding ~£40pm to my bill after the increase to Charge Anytime rates (we have two EVs), and the fact that we will get cheaper electric for 6hrs every night (so we can schedule the dishwasher, washing machine etc) - I am pretty sure I will save a lot with E.on, despite the slightly higher unit rates and daily standing charge. I haven’t done a full calculation, but am pretty sure it will be lower.

 

Also, Ovo will not allow me to reduce my direct debit amount, despite getting a new boiler and redoing our kitchen which is saving us tons on gas/electric. They take into account the total monthly bill before the Charge Anytime refund when calculating, which is crazy. We are £1,200 in credit already (and again we are not able to take any of that money out as they want x months credit by April next year), and are paying over £100 more each month than we should be. All in all, I am totally fed up with Ovo and am moving even if it is not to save too much on our actual bills!


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  • Newcomer
  • October 7, 2025

Hi ​@Abby_OVO ,

I’m a little confused with the new plan as some of the terminology is a bit vague.

The £27.50 plan allows for home charging up to 700 miles. I assume that with an average mileage of 3.5 miles/kWh we are talking about an allowance of 200kWh correct?

The email I just received mentioned a public charging voucher (see below). Can you please explain when this is applied and how often? Thanks

Important information

 

¹ A £120 voucher will be added to your Charge Anywhere account enabling you to charge at 50,000+ UK public charge points across some of the UK's biggest charging networks – like Osprey, MFG, InstaVolt, TotalEnergies, Allego, FastNed, and Ionity.


  • Newcomer
  • October 7, 2025

Hi ​@Abby_OVO ,

I’m a little confused with the new plan as some of the terminology is a bit vague.

The £27.50 plan allows for home charging up to 700 miles. I assume that with an average mileage of 3.5 miles/kWh we are talking about an allowance of 200kWh correct?

T

 
 
 

 

Ignore miles, they are meant to confuse. 

The presentation is purposefully vague it seems, to obfuscate the actual numbers if you divide the plan £ by kWh limits, which looks like:

  • Standard is 15.7p per kWh
  • Premium is 15p/kWh
  • Standard plus 17p/kWh
  • Premium plus 15.9p/kWh

And the above will be based on you using exactly the kWh limit on a plan. Go under and you are paying even more per p/KWH, go over and you hit your house rate to drive the average up even more.
 


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  • Newcomer
  • October 8, 2025

This is now being reported on in the Guardian - 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/08/ovo-pricing-change-could-double-charging-costs-for-some-ev-owners

You have to laugh at the response from OVO - 

“Ovo denied that financial constraints had prompted the tariff change. It said they were in response to customer requests for a simplified payment system.”

 

And basically ‘sling your hook’ if it doesn’t work for you - 

“Charge Anytime offers flexibility to charge wherever and whenever EV drivers need, while benefiting from the certainty of a fixed monthly cost,” a spokesperson said. “We know it won’t suit everyone, so we’re waiving exit fees for customers who wish to leave.”


TomThumb
Rank 6
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  • Rank 6
  • October 8, 2025

Still no comment from ovo on any of the questions raised in this thread says it all.


Yes ovo can find a representative to answer questions from the Guardian,

but have had there hands tied & can’t answer questions from there actual customers here.


Maybe Ohme were the first to see the direction ovo were taking, got out just in time.

 


Tom…

 


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  • Rank 4
  • October 8, 2025

I should imagine OVO are too embarrassed to participate in this discussion - they must know they've made a dreadful mistake.

In their absence, let's let our imaginations run free.

A quick Google reveals that 90% of all EV charging in the UK happens at home, and yet OVO have bizarrely decided to change focus and target Charge Anytime at the 10% of charging that's done on public chargers.

Why, why, why are they attempting to chase the wrong end of the market?

If I were a conspiracy theorist I'd say they've been 'bought' by a cartel of the public charging companies (I have absolutely no evidence of that, btw!)


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  • Newcomer
  • October 9, 2025

Firstly, this is shocking behaviour. For those of us on a fixed tariff, it would have been better publicity (or less bad at least) to have kept the 7p rate until the end of the fix.

I haven’t seen it mentioned earlier - does anyone know if the termination fee waiver applies to both fuels on a dual fuel deal? I’m assuming both...

So, I’ve done the sums. The good thing with having the smart meter and a Hypervolt is that I have exact figures for the last 12 months for home charging, overall use etc.  This may be useful for others…  My total gas usage is c. 16,000 kWh, , electric 7500 of which charging 4100.

If I stay with OVO, the overall annual rate will be £2784 (notwithstanding the fix ending in March). EON fix- £2584. BG fix - £2563, Octopus fix - £2564.  So nothing in it between the 3, but a £200 saving from OVO.

Bye bye OVO.


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  • Rank 4
  • October 9, 2025

Hi ​@Neillb ,

I just tried a quote using a Tesla Model 3 and a Hypervolt charger and that brought up the NextDrive Smart 5.2 tariff. I put that through my spreadsheet and it’s still marginal in my case, so I’m going to stay with OVO for now.

 

@bishopbn fair enough! With the cost of EV charging adding ~£40pm to my bill after the increase to Charge Anytime rates (we have two EVs), and the fact that we will get cheaper electric for 6hrs every night (so we can schedule the dishwasher, washing machine etc) - I am pretty sure I will save a lot with E.on, despite the slightly higher unit rates and daily standing charge. I haven’t done a full calculation, but am pretty sure it will be lower.

 

Also, Ovo will not allow me to reduce my direct debit amount, despite getting a new boiler and redoing our kitchen which is saving us tons on gas/electric. They take into account the total monthly bill before the Charge Anytime refund when calculating, which is crazy. We are £1,200 in credit already (and again we are not able to take any of that money out as they want x months credit by April next year), and are paying over £100 more each month than we should be. All in all, I am totally fed up with Ovo and am moving even if it is not to save too much on our actual bills!

Ovos billing is a joke. I have a similar problem as they bizarrely expect you STILL to be in credit at the end of winter, when you should be firmly in debit at that point. They must think that all their customers are happy to give them free credit. I didn't mind doing it when they paid me 5% interest on the credit but no longer.

The easiest way to reduce your monthly payments to a reasonable level is to request a reduction to your DD payment on line. Ovo will give you 10% off your "recommended payment" for 3 months without argument. Just plug in a lower figure and follow the instructions.


  • Newcomer
  • October 9, 2025

Still no comment from ovo on any of the questions raised in this thread says it all.


Yes ovo can find a representative to answer questions from the Guardian,

but have had there hands tied & can’t answer questions from there actual customers here.


Maybe Ohme were the first to see the direction ovo were taking, got out just in time.

 


Tom…

 

They won’t comment here or anywhere (other than with BS, like that response to The Guardian). Public commenting (particularly on the internet) is way too dangerous.

Public speculation (such as in here around their financials) is just that eh … does no damage without any confirmation.

For example I could speculate now about the OHME move … was that a phase1 (to this phase2) to try to have customers switch to Octopus; with an aim to ease the financial problem for OVO but push it up for Octopus.

Got to love abit of speculation :)

I’ve done the sums (which were not exactly difficult! (100! increase) and ill be switching to another supplier.


  • Newcomer
  • October 10, 2025

Firstly, this is shocking behaviour. For those of us on a fixed tariff, it would have been better publicity (or less bad at least) to have kept the 7p rate until the end of the fix.

I haven’t seen it mentioned earlier - does anyone know if the termination fee waiver applies to both fuels on a dual fuel deal? I’m assuming both...

So, I’ve done the sums. The good thing with having the smart meter and a Hypervolt is that I have exact figures for the last 12 months for home charging, overall use etc.  This may be useful for others…  My total gas usage is c. 16,000 kWh, , electric 7500 of which charging 4100.

If I stay with OVO, the overall annual rate will be £2784 (notwithstanding the fix ending in March). EON fix- £2584. BG fix - £2563, Octopus fix - £2564.  So nothing in it between the 3, but a £200 saving from OVO.

Bye bye OVO.

Exit fee removal form : https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/DU67cn

 

Hope this helps


  • Newcomer
  • October 10, 2025

Another one that will be leaving OVO solely as a result of this ridiculous tariff change. Is anyone at OVO listening????


  • Newcomer
  • October 10, 2025

Hi

Given OVO changed their Charge Anytime offering last month it gave us the reason and opportunity to change our electric supplier. As part of their announcement email OVO put a link to a form to allow us to be refunded the £75 exit fee, which I completed before applying for the transfer.

Our transfer occurred 30th Sept / 1st October. 

Last bill for September shows the £75 exit fee has been charged.

Currently I can see no refund on my OVO account (we still retain gas service with OVO).

When should I expect to see the £75 refund and any idea how this will be displayed (e.g. in the gas statement?)

Thanks


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  • Rank 7
  • October 10, 2025

I've already left. 

I believe they've been told not to post on this thread. In fairness there's not much they can say in defence of this mad tarrif change. Anything they do say will have a shedload of derision poured on it. So best say nothing!

My prediction is that this entire forum will need to be scrapped and relaunched (evolved) as it's tainted by this crazy decision.

For those of you wondering,  the grass is greener...


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  • Rank 3
  • October 10, 2025

Just got off the phone to EV dept at OVO 

 

we have 5 Evs in the company all charged at home by OVO 

 

everyone is leaving to octopus 

 

Anyone staying must be out of their minds when you can switch in 2 days and save a tonne of money 

 

they won’t listen until it hits them in the pocket 

 

I feel for people locked in 1 or 2 year deals as this is borderline fraud to increase by 100% overnight 

 

wakey wakey OVO …. 


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  • Rank 2
  • October 11, 2025

Having been a loyal customer for well over a decade at two properties simultaneously I eventually had to walk away for a number of reasons  some due to personal circumstances but some due to a decline in OVOs continued suitability.

 

With the most recent changes around Charge Anytime (thanks for all the money from Octopus referrals BTW) I'd like to know if OVO have any plans to do anything to go back to their original gameplay of being greener and cheaper for all their customers.

 

It's abundantly clear that whoever put any thought into the new Charge Anytime bundles simply didn't understand or couldn't be bothered to get an idea of how things happen in the real world.

 

Over the years I recommended around 50 or 60 customers join OVO one of which I managed to get a £20 Amazon voucher for, I was still pointing people in OVOs direction due to Charge Anytime up until very recently but clearly I can't recommended them any longer.

 

Are OVO turning their backs on green users or are there any plans to help support people who drive EVs, have Solar installations and home batteries?

It's important to be a major player to be considered by a large percentage of these users but it seems OVO are abandoning us.

 

Gaz


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  • Rank 5
  • October 11, 2025

Couldn't agree more


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  • Rank 4
  • October 13, 2025

Well said!