Don't go for Octopus go/smart for car charging!

[sidekickdmr]

We got our EV in April, and after reading about it here, with the cheaper night charging, signed upto Octopus same day, that was simple and swift.

The reason we signed up was for the EV charging tariff they sold, cheaper charging overnight at approx 6/7p

However, its been about 12 weeks now, and despite weekly calls emails and complaints, they have not been able to book a Smart meter install, simply citing "you are on a waiting list and when we get engineer appointments become available we will let you know"

12 weeks, with no sign of this changing, I am having to charge my EV each night at 22.1P rather than 7p, so its costing me over 3x as much and they seem to have no accountability for offering this product, letting me sign up, but then not being able to fulfil it.

Just be warned!

Any other suppliers that offer something similar I should consider jumping to?

[Arrivalist]

I get an email from them at least twice a month asking me if I want to upgrade to a smart meter.

Ignoring those seems a wise choice

[chunkyjh]

I did exactly this, signed up two weeks ago and looked to book a smart meter install for switching to intelligent go. Was told to keep checking back for install dates. I've since found out they release their smart meter install dates on a Monday. I kept checking the app daily and sure enough middle of last week, a button appeared on the app to book a smart meter install. I was able to get one within 2 weeks. So 4 weeks on the standard plan isnt great but there may be some light if you keep checking the app.

[paradigital]

I’m not sure that “Don’t go for” is a fair warning against what is a fantastic tariff, just because you are having a delay with smart meter installation in your area. Both times I’ve switched to Intelligent Octopus Go (two properties), I had a smart meter installed within a week of requesting one. No complaints at all on my part.

I believe your only other real option is the OVO EV tariff “Charge Anytime”, but you WON’T get the cheap rate for the whole house during your charging schedule, only the car by means of API integration on supported vehicles and chargers.

[plfrench]

paradigital said:

I’m not sure that “Don’t go for” is a fair warning against what is a fantastic tariff, just because you are having a delay with smart meter installation in your area. Both times I’ve switched to Intelligent Octopus Go (two properties), I had a smart meter installed within a week of requesting one. No complaints at all on my part.

I believe your only other real option is the OVO EV tariff “Charge Anytime”, but you WON’T get the cheap rate for the whole house during your charging schedule, only the car by means of API integration on supported vehicles and chargers.

You'll need a smart meter for Ovo Anytime too, so not sure that will solve the problem unless they have more success in arranging an installation?

[sidekickdmr]

plfrench said:

You'll need a smart meter for Ovo Anytime too, so not sure that will solve the problem unless they have more success in arranging an installation?

Is the meter, and the installation done by a single impartial body/firm, or would it be an octopus employee/contractor that does it? Guess thats the question

[plfrench]

sidekickdmr said:

Is the meter, and the installation done by a single impartial body/firm, or would it be an octopus employee/contractor that does it? Guess thats the question

Indeed - not sure how you find that out. I've not had to go through the process of getting a smart meter installed as our house was a new build and had one in place already.

[John D.]

Arrivalist said:

I get an email from them at least twice a month asking me if I want to upgrade to a smart meter.

Ignoring those seems a wise choice

How did you work that out based upon the OP?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

I don't understand why it's the fault of Octopus that you failed to plan properly.

Did you ask Octopus how long it would take for a smart meter before you took delivery of your EV?

Did you factor the lead time for the install into the delivery date for your EV?

Or did you just expect Octopus to make your problem theirs?

[Arrivalist]

John D. said:

Arrivalist said:

I get an email from them at least twice a month asking me if I want to upgrade to a smart meter.

Ignoring those seems a wise choice

How did you work that out based upon the OP?

I didn’t.

[sidekickdmr]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

I don't understand why it's the fault of Octopus that you failed to plan properly.

Did you ask Octopus how long it would take for a smart meter before you took delivery of your EV?

Did you factor the lead time for the install into the delivery date for your EV?

Or did you just expect Octopus to make your problem theirs?

Odd response, when they advertise the smart package on their website and say:

"If you're not yet an Octopus customer, switch to our standard tariff, Flexible Octopus, now and we'll help you move to Intelligent Octopus Go once your switch is complete."

I would, as would everybody else assume this would happen on switching being complete....... 12 weeks ago

[John D.]

Arrivalist said:

John D. said:

Arrivalist said:

I get an email from them at least twice a month asking me if I want to upgrade to a smart meter.

Ignoring those seems a wise choice

How did you work that out based upon the OP?

I didn’t.

Makes sense

[James-gbg1e]

sidekickdmr said:

Odd response, when they advertise the smart package on their website and say:

"If you're not yet an Octopus customer, switch to our standard tariff, Flexible Octopus, now and we'll help you move to Intelligent Octopus Go once your switch is complete."

I would, as would everybody else assume this would happen on switching being complete....... 12 weeks ago

I agree with the sentiment of the other poster to be honest.

Whilst I agree their marketing spiel is misleading in your case, perhaps you didn't seek the right level of detail or written assurance before going ahead.

Assumption being the mother of all...

If you have everything in writing and they've breached their conditions or your trust, then write a complaint and then escalate things, I'm sure there's some bill credit they can apply.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

sidekickdmr said:

Jordie Barretts sock said:

I don't understand why it's the fault of Octopus that you failed to plan properly.

Did you ask Octopus how long it would take for a smart meter before you took delivery of your EV?

Did you factor the lead time for the install into the delivery date for your EV?

Or did you just expect Octopus to make your problem theirs?

Odd response, when they advertise the smart package on their website and say:

"If you're not yet an Octopus customer, switch to our standard tariff, Flexible Octopus, now and we'll help you move to Intelligent Octopus Go once your switch is complete."

I would, as would everybody else assume this would happen on switching being complete....... 12 weeks ago

I wouldn't.

Perhaps I'm more sceptical then.

[raspy]

sidekickdmr said:

Odd response, when they advertise the smart package on their website and say:

"If you're not yet an Octopus customer, switch to our standard tariff, Flexible Octopus, now and we'll help you move to Intelligent Octopus Go once your switch is complete."

I would, as would everybody else assume this would happen on switching being complete....... 12 weeks ago

They do point out that it can take "weeks" and until smart meter installed, you have to stay on the standard tariff..

"If you have a compatible smart meter already, you're all set. If you don't have a smart meter yet, or you have a different type of smart meter, you can still start the switch to Octopus Go below, but you'll need to stay on one of our standard tariffs while we get you Octopus Go-ready.

In some cases, this could take weeks, or might not be possible at all if your home isn't suitable for a smart meter — but you're able to switch away any time with no exit fees. "

https://octopus.energy/smart/go/

[TheDrownedApe]

yes agree. Octopus told us at least 8 months before install; this was about 4 years ago.

Our solution was to go with another company as they guaranteed a 4 week install. We had to sign up for a year but it was better than waiting with the unknown.

[Downward]

Blimey had a smart meter for 6 or 7 years now.
Yeah Octopus is based on smart meters so you need it sorting 1st before going for the off peak tarrifs.

[ucb]

Octopus installed our smart meter within a month of booking in April this year.
hassle free experience

[TheDeuce]

This is an odd one - it's really not the fault of octopus if there is a shortage of installers on the area, and I suspect any other supplier would suffer the same shortage too.

Octopus go/intelligent are marketed as requiring a smart meter. If you don't happen to have one, obviously you have to wait on the queue in your area for one to be fitted.

[thecremeegg]

You bought the EV before having the correct tariff in place, that's on you I'm afraid.