.jfif)
Octopus Energy has launched its first home electric vehicle (EV) charger, marking a significant step in accelerating the transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to cleaner alternatives.
The Octopus Charge device, designed and manufactured in-house, leverages the company’s Intelligent Octopus Go tariff to deliver electricity costs as low as 2p per mile. Its smart functionality automatically schedules charging during the cheapest and greenest energy periods, optimizing both cost and sustainability.
Seamless Integration and Smart Features
The charger integrates with Octopus Energy’s app and Kraken technology platform, allowing users to set preferred charging schedules while the system handles the rest. For households with solar panels, it offers an added advantage: surplus solar energy can be diverted to charge EVs at no extra cost, turning excess renewable power into driving miles.
Accompanying the charger is the new Drive Pack tariff, providing unlimited charging for a fixed monthly fee of £30. The hardware itself features built-in 4G connectivity and a space-saving design, including a compact cable holster for installation in tight spaces—ideal for driveways, garages, or street-side setups.
Leadership in Energy Innovation
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy, stated:
"Home charging already beats queuing at petrol stations—now we’ve made it even simpler. Octopus pioneered the UK’s first smart tariff, EV tariff, and export tariff, alongside our leading heat pump technology. Octopus Charge is the latest addition, designed to work seamlessly with Intelligent Octopus Go, with more features coming soon."
The launch reinforces Octopus Energy’s expansion into home energy hardware, complementing its position as the UK’s top heat pump manufacturer.
Incentives and Availability
Early adopters will receive 5,000 free miles of charging—enough to travel from Land’s End to John o’ Groats and back, with miles to spare. Initially, the charger will be exclusive to customers of Octopus Electric Vehicles (the company’s leasing arm), with broader availability for all Octopus Energy customers starting in August.
Future updates will expand compatibility beyond Intelligent Octopus Go to include additional smart tariffs.
Policy Tailwinds for EV Adoption
The announcement follows recent government moves to streamline EV charger installations, eliminating planning permission requirements for home chargers. This change could significantly accelerate adoption as the UK works toward its goal of 300,000 public chargers by 2030 (up from ~81,000 today).
Key Improvements in This Version:
Stronger Headline: More concise while highlighting the key hook (5,000 free miles).
Structured Flow: Clear sections for features, leadership quotes, and market context.
Polished Language: Removes redundancy, tightens phrasing (e.g., "surplus solar electricity generated on-site" → "surplus solar energy").
Strategic Emphasis: Highlights Octopus’ innovation leadership and policy tailwinds.
Audience-Centric: Balances technical details (tariffs, hardware) with consumer benefits (cost savings, convenience).