Charge Anytime only works with some chargers? What happens if I switch from OVO?

Hi @TD12345 ,

I’m afraid OVO Drive and OVO Drive + Anytime are currently not available at the moment due to the price cap changes, but will return in the future. There’s plans to make it all work with any charger via a Direct To Vehicle option, so as long as your EV is on the supported list, it’s charger agnostic.

You only need these things if you’re going for the Drive + Anytime add-on however. Regular OVO Drive doesn’t need special chargers but both versions are dual-fuel only. Smart meters aren’t required for these offers because OVO can get the required data either from the charger or EV as applicable - Smart meters don’t get used for this purpose.

If you get one of the chargers OVO offers but later leave OVO, the charger will still work just fine, don’t worry about that. You might lose some features, but it will always retain the ability to recharge whatever EV you plug in no matter what you do or which energy supplier you’re with.

so at the moment i can only charge my car on the plan i currently have with ovo?   so

it doesnt matter what charger i buy?

That's correct 

oh wow thanks - what a waste of time.

@TD12345 The limitation you have is that you are electricity-only and therefore not currently eligible for the EV tariffs from OVO.

This may well change in the future when tariffs are released again, but that doesn't help you in the meantime.

The only cheap off-peak EV tariff currently available to new customers that I'm aware of (as of 2/9/22) is the Octopus Go/Go Faster/Intelligent range. These all require a smart meter in order to send 30 minute readings, so you'd need to have one fitted before you could move onto the EV tariff. Go/Go Faster work with any cars and chargers. Intelligent requires a compatible car or charger (currently Ohme chargers).

thank you.

Buying an electric car isn’t as straight forward as i had hoped.  I dont think ohme charges 

come untethered,  

im going to have to look again tomorrow at my limited options.

Yes, I think you're correct that Ohme chargers are now only available tethered. I have the older Type 2 charging cable, but I think that the cable is now only available for a commando socket.

What EV do you have or are getting?

we are getting a golf 8 style ehybrid - and looking at getting a Easee one charger?   its untethered because we may get another in the future.   

At this rate though i wish i didnt get the golf… -)

The golf is a good move. Most new cars will have a Type 2 socket, so getting a tethered charger isn't really a big issue (it's one reason that there are less options for untethered chargers now). 

I have an MG ZS EV and an original Nissan Leaf (with a Type 1 socket), so I use an untethered charger. But now Nissan has moved over to Type 2 on the newer models.

I may get a slap on the wrist from the OVO mods for saying this, but I believe the VW Golf could well be compatible with the Intelligent tariff and so give you 6+ cheap hours each night without needing to have a specific charger. I know VW IDs are not compatible yet but other models of VW should be, but worth checking if this includes the e-hybrid. If it does, your car has just unlocked the 6 cheap hours for household use for you, so well worth having.

i think i need to look again at the tethered and untethered - i thought that if tethered i 

would only be able to charge my car.    silly question but there isnt a type 3 socket in the pipeline? -)

And lastly i have not heard about the intelligent tariff!!?  i will look into that.   do i need to contact ovo to get this?   ( dont worry you can tell me, no one is listening...)