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Meet the new Charge Anytime!

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

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  • Newcomer
  • September 24, 2025

if anyone else is thinking of switching then visit Electric Vehicles (EV) Energy Tariffs UK - Uswitch


  • Newcomer
  • September 24, 2025

So we try and do the right thing by us, by the environment and by our community 

 

We get the solar panels and battery installed. We switch to a petrol hybrid and soon to swap a diesel for an all electric vehicle. 

 

We try to invest in our own future and try to establish a bit of self reliance from energy production. 
 

Yet along comes our energy provider to completely swipe the rug from underneath us, despite our many years of loyalty.

 

I appreciate that all energy companies are being forced to create energy packages suitable for folk who struggle with everyday finances and there’s an ongoing debate about the use of the daily standing charge that may see energy companies face a decline in income, but when your energy provider makes post tax profits of £817m for year to 31/12/23 (which means they are soon to publish 2024s results, and in fairness 2022s results were pretty poor) then it does feel that this EV hike in prices is a little targeted at the people who are perceived to have the broadest shoulders.

 

The whole thing is frustrating and feels like a very underhand approach by OVO right now. I for one would better appreciate an open and honest approach about the reasons for the change. But they have not been provided. So instead OVO have failed to recognise the impact of this on their customers and are likely to lose many as a result. 
 

Not their finest marketing hour.
 

 

 


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  • Rank 6
  • September 24, 2025

I have this vision of an OVO management huddle and brainstorming session...hey team what can we do to increase profits, I know lets increase the EV charging rate...got any ideas?…yeah keep it simple and a nice round doubling, they wont notice...team hug...great work folks, lets go on an expenses paid trip to somewhere expensive now we have all that dosh coming...right I’m off to lunch. Rachel from accounts would be proud of us.


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Truthfully I jumped ship from OVO when I got an EV end of May. Well, as soon as I could afterwards once I was in my ‘leave without penalty’ period of my fix. I left because I didn’t like the cap of effectively 500kWh/month with the £100/month rebate limit that was imposed. I don’t need that amount of charge, but I do tend to need about 300kWh/month which didn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for longer trips etc.

People saying don’t be too eager to jump ship are right, but also being a bit too cautious. On Octopus, if you have a compatible charger or car - and most of the big name chargers are compatible - if your car is plugged in and charging ALL your electric for your house during that time is at 7p/kWh no matter the time of day. There are some caveats like time of day etc., - in reality it’s probably unlikely you’ll get cheap slots in the afternoon for example - but in broadly general terms if you work anything like normal-ish hours (basically anything other than nights) it’s likely you’ll get SOME periods during peak rate where you’ll be paying 7p. I’m currently in one myself. Plugged the car in at 18:15 and am on 7p/kWh for the whole house until 23:30 when it becomes 7p anyway until 05:30.

They do sometimes offer fixes for their EV tariffs, but they’re not always cost effective. For example I was offered one due to the October price rise. My peak p/kWh is going up by 0.3p/kWh (the 7p off peak is unchanged) and my standing charge is going up around 2.5p/day I think it was. The fix I was offered was the same increase in standing charge but the p/kWh was almost 3p more than I’m currently paying. I’m staying with the variable for now.

I was with OVO for years and was very happy with them, but their EV tariffs/treatment is seeming a little haphazard for whatever reason. Kind of throw darts at a dartboad and see what stays in.


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  • Newcomer
  • September 24, 2025

Just to echo the major disappointment that is already being bandied around.

My tariff is up for renewal in October, and I'm definitely going to shop around now. Seems like they've taken a successful lesson in "how to screw over your loyal customers". A real shame, since I thought they were different...


stead
Rank 5
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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

I also remember doing that survey and thinking its just a terrible all around idea, I guess if you do use public charging and lucky enough those chargers are ovo compatible its worth it, but we have 2 cars, one is a phev and use maybe 60-90 kwh a month with, the idea that 2 cars now costs over double for a subscription than what we are paying now seems mental to me.

will be also looking, its a shame been with OVO for years and always recommended them, the plans would be better if the price per kwh actually cost less than the pay as you go as so far the pay as you go is the only one that makes sense to me, at least 1p kwh cheaper than any of the plans plus no penalty for having 2 cars.

Shame the pay as you go isn’t like 10pk/wh that would of felt less of a punch in the face to me, or had bundles that actually gave better value, if the 250kwh bundle (premium montlhly plan) was £27.50 and all kwh ontop was the pay as you go rate i’d go for ithat, but as it is, knowing i’ll be over the rate every month then paying full price I just can’t fathom how why anyone would pick a plan.


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  • Rank 3
  • September 24, 2025

I think all you need to know is there isn't a single response from OVO to anything anyone has posted. They couldn't care less (unfortunately). If they double the price and a few people leave, but most stay, they're quids in. I'm not sure any other deals out there (eg octopus, lower EV rates but only on a variable rate for electricity) are gonna be radically different unfortunately. 


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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

Just the latest in a long list of frustrations with Ovo.

First they want to extend the amount I am in credit from 1 month to a minimum.of 3 because they can't calculate bills correctly (on my account they don't recognise the charge anytime credit so they just see my initial energy usage) and now this. 

I do circa 800 miles a week for work. Currently average 3.9 miles per kwh so current cost is 1.7p per mile using Charge Anytime. I then get 8p per mile credited so the difference effectively covers £50 per week of my electric bill at home.

The new rate of 14p per kwh will reduce this to £25 per week.

Although I'm frustrated about this change - no-one wants to pay, let's be honest, I'm more concerned that they have a credit of £831 against my account for an average (last 12 months) energy bill of £195. Despite calling and asking for a refund the darlings at the call centre can't seem to understand basic maths. 

I suffered the same DD nonsense because their algorithm doesn't take in to account charge anytime credit. I did get it sorted by raising a complaint but it was painful. 


  • Rank 2
  • September 24, 2025

Just done a quote with intelligent octopus go. They want 32.17p for day rate plus 60.99p standing charge. My ovo moves onto standard contract in a few days, 25.79p and standing charge 58.70. So octopus is a no go for me.  I’m not going to save money setting my dishwasher for midnight. Why people rave about octopus is beyond me.


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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

Just done a quote with intelligent octopus go. They want 32.17p for day rate plus 60.99p standing charge. My ovo moves onto standard contract in a few days, 25.79p and standing charge 58.70. So octopus is a no go for me.  I’m not going to save money setting my dishwasher for midnight. Why people rave about octopus is beyond me.

Yep it defo isn't clear cut at all. That's why we like, sorry liked charge anytime, we can't load shift much to off peak and the more expensive octopus normal rate is a fair bit more expensive. Might take a look at eon. Like you our current fixed ends in a few days so I'm just going to go on to the flexible tarrif and look at our options. The subscription ISN'T an option as the wife does around 2000 miles a month and I'm about to get an EV and I would do 1000 a month. This is utter housery by OVO 🤬🤬🤬🤬


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  • Rank 4
  • September 24, 2025

@BrianC  wow! My Intelligent Go quote is way less than that - 29.86p per kWh and 51.81p standing charge. Why is there such a huge difference, I wonder?


  • Newcomer
  • September 24, 2025

I just changed to BG I’m not paying double for my Ev as the packages are of no benefit to me so I was stuck with payg at 14p , disgraceful . 


  • Newcomer
  • September 24, 2025

I have only w we been with OVO and only charge at home , the packages are of no benefit to me. They are now forcing me into payg at 14p per kwt. I applied to have the exit fee removed and switched to BG today . OVO has killed their customer base by ruining a good system then already had . Angry ex customer 


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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

Utter housery by OVO 🤬🤬🤬🤬


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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

Many will be joining you in leaving, disgusting 


  • Rank 2
  • September 24, 2025

@BrianC  wow! My Intelligent Go quote is way less than that - 29.86p per kWh and 51.81p standing charge. Why is there such a huge difference, I wonder?

Is that quote for standard octopus or intelligent? The latter is much dearer during the day.  I have just gone back in and standard quote is 27.06p. This is where a lot of people are going wrong they only look at the low overnight rate and don’t notice the higher day rate.


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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

The standard ev tarrif is just for charging overnight and intelligent is anytime'ish is that right? 


BobTom
Rank 4
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  • Rank 4
  • September 24, 2025

BG? Who is that? I may come with you.

I have been responding to questions on the forum for the last year, praising the service and encouraging others to get the app. I took part in the recent Test Pilot trials contributing my observations. I personally helped to console distraught Ohm customers in their hour of need when OVO announced the withdrawal of service despite recommending that particular charger.

I did not see this coming. Get enough of us hooked then put the prices up, by 100% for those not under contract.

Not good.


  • Newcomer
  • September 24, 2025

British Gas 


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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

Yep I always recommend OVO, will be now warning people to stay well away 🤬🤬🤬


  • Rank 2
  • September 24, 2025

The standard ev tarrif is just for charging overnight and intelligent is anytime'ish is that right? 

Standard tarriff for normal electricty use no ev involved 27.06p.  Whe you change quote to intellegent for ev charging overnight the day rate jumps up a whopping 20% to 32.17p.


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  • Rank 4
  • September 24, 2025

@BrianC , that's for Intelligent Octopus Go.

@fancyabrew , yes IOG is a smart charging tariff. It most likely charges overnight, but you can 'get lucky' and charge during the day too, I gather.

The real problem is that it's a variable tariff, so subject to the vagaries of the energy price market. I'd much rather be on a fixed tariff if possible.


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  • Newcomer
  • September 24, 2025

Perhaps a trust pilot review or 300 might help? I feel quite betrayed by ovo!


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  • Rank 5
  • September 24, 2025

Perhaps a trust pilot review or 300 might help? I feel quite betrayed by ovo!

On it! 


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  • Rank 4
  • September 24, 2025

I have only w we been with OVO and only charge at home , the packages are of no benefit to me. They are now forcing me into payg at 14p per kwt. I applied to have the exit fee removed and switched to BG today . OVO has killed their customer base by ruining a good system then already had . Angry ex customer 

Hi ​@bikerbear1 , I have lots of questions about BG!

 - Did you go for a fixed tariff on BG?

- I gather you have to 'join' and then switch to an EV tariff afterwards, is that right?

- Do they work with any EV charger? For instance, would my Indra Smart Pro be ok?