I've got a THTC meter setup, can I get lower EV charging rates?

Delighted to hear from you, Blastoise186  I have been reading several forums about THTC problems and you seem to have answered many. 

My understanding is that the THTC second (lower rate) meter only supports hot water and storage heating. Therefore car charging will come off the standard rate meter, or can it be connected to the overnight, lower rate meter? 

It surely makes sense to convert the electric supply in my house to that which is being used in new builds particularly as the old 2 meter system is no longer installed. I have no problem with the installation of a smart meter and assume this will allow for cheaper rate EV charging.   

Two years ago you responded to a question on another forum and said it was not rocket science to take out THTC, SSE just didn’t have enough engineers to perform this (I can’t find the original forum). Is this still the case with OVO, or has another problem arisen?

Ah yeah, sorry about that! I was thinking about one of the other tariff types when I wrote that - you are right though. THTC doesn’t have Off-Peak everything like Economy 7 does.

Connecting an EV Charger to the Off-Peak meter is not allowed I’m afraid if you’re on THTC. You might be able to come off of it provided:

• You’re NOT in a Load Managed Area - your DNO can help you check this
• You no longer need THTC e.g. your storage heaters are gone

If both conditions are met, you can make that request to OVO and they’ll try to make the arrangements if possible. It’s not impossible to do if the conditions are right, but it’s mostly down to whether the right engineers are around - and you’ll need an electrician to do some re-wiring as well.

Hey @SunSurg,

Welcome to the OVO Online Community, 

I can see Blastoise has already given some great advice here, just wanted to add we have an FAQ which includes some extra information about THTC meters:

Hi Emmanuelle

Ive read that FAQ, it suggests changes are happening and that OVO will be in touch. However, my conversations with various people suggests that no solution has been found to phase out or develop a new RTS for the THTC meters and the deadline for switching off is fast approaching. I am in email correspondence with Teresa.

To complicate matters further, I want to install solar panels and feed excess power back into the grid. Again, this seems very difficult with THTC.

Ho,hum.

Hey @SunSurg,

I understand your dilemma, it sounds very frustrating.

I wonder if it’s worth doing some research to see if there are any other suppliers actively supporting this meter type currently? Or offering an exchange/solution? 

I’ve been there before when SSE supplied the house. Basically very few suppliers could manage THTC and then many companies folded, as you know. I did think OVO would work out a solution, especially when they have been handed the problem with the takeover from SSE.

I’m about to speak to your solar panel team to see if they have any answers.

Fingers crossed.

OVO has definitely got a solution in the works. :)

Unfortunately, most suppliers - to my knowledge - will choke on a THTC meter setup and only OVO and Scottish Power are currently capable of handling them at all if memory serves. And let’s just say the customer service of Scottish Power often leaves a lot to be desired...

Absolutely, and bear in mind I am with OVO because of a buy out of SSE. I doubt I could go back to SSE even if I wanted to. 
I will wait for the fix by OVO which has to happen in the next 6 months or so. 
meantime, solar panels anyone?

Hey @SunSurg,

Let us know what the team say about solar panels. In the meantime, the website has lots of information about this topic.