Octopus Plans and renewals

[Adopado]

Note that the not-cheap rate *will* be more expensive than what you had -- electricity prices are through the roof compared with a year ago.

Octopus Go cheap rate remains at 5p/kWh for your 4 hour charging slot.

 

[Irata]

It's still a shame the peak rate (not-off-peak as already said a couple of posts back) has gone up. Obviously, it is always worth calculating total cost, as those who use lots of peak rate may still be better off elsewhere.

 

[Neilman]

My new Octopus rate using GO is better than the fixed single-rate tariff I was being offered.
I changed to Octopus last September when I got my Model 3 but it took over 9 months to get the smart meter installed.

My previous single-rate tariff ending early next month was 14.66p per kWh and 20.19p per day.
The suggested replacement 2-year fixed tariff was going to be 19.79p per kWh and 24.11p per day.
My new GO tariff, good for 12 months, is 5p per kWh night, 15.59p per kWh day and 25p per day.
Not much change for daily power but saving on the night charging.

Its anyone's guess how (un)affordable electrickery might be in 12 months time

 

[Irata]

Remember, Go off-peak rate isn't quite "nighttime" rate. It's a couple hours and a bit less than the "normal". The Go Faster tarrif's are varying off-peak lengths and start times. Because I'm on Go faster that starts at 8:30pm, my true "nighttime rate" ends up peak rate.

The maths takes a bit if time, but I worked out what my total costs would by taking into account the different off-peak start times, price and durations.

When my current Go contract ends, the maths does not look quite as favourable with the increase in peak rate - Go is good for most, but always be cautious.

It'll be interesting how comparison sites will compare tarrif's as I think this trend of off-peak being very different start times will only increase. The view that the middle of the night is cheapest is fast fading.

 

[Dilly]

Remember, Go off-peak rate isn't quite "nighttime" rate. It's a couple hours and a bit less than the "normal". The Go Faster tarrif's are varying off-peak lengths and start times. Because I'm on Go faster that starts at 8:30pm, my true "nighttime rate" ends up peak rate.

The maths takes a bit if time, but I worked out what my total costs would by taking into account the different off-peak start times, price and durations.

When my current Go contract ends, the maths does not look quite as favourable with the increase in peak rate - Go is good for most, but always be cautious.

It'll be interesting how comparison sites will compare tarrif's as I think this trend of off-peak being very different start times will only increase. The view that the middle of the night is cheapest is fast fading.

Come the day when a huge proportion of EV owners charge at night, that’s likely to become a ‘peak’ time
it’s like us all putting a kettle on during the adverts, but much worse!

 

[Irata]

Come the day when a huge proportion of EV owners charge at night, that’s likely to become a ‘peak’ time
it’s like us all putting a kettle on during the adverts, but much worse!

Hence tarrif's that spread off-peak hours throughout 24 hours become normal, otherwise it's ping pong peak rate. Go was a first step. It just means that comparing prices becomes more complex, there is no longer just one or two rates to compare, the hours are an important part of the equation of value.

 

[Adopado]

Come the day when a huge proportion of EV owners charge at night, that’s likely to become a ‘peak’ time
it’s like us all putting a kettle on during the adverts, but much worse!

Indeed, and that’s why there is pressure towards smart charge points and smart meters. This provides the opportunity to spread the charging over 24 hrs picking the best times to keep the grid balanced. Instead of a problem the ev charging actually becomes a solution which benefits the grid. In fact it’s already doing that, which is why the likes of Octopus can offer their cheap night tariffs at the moment.

 

[rotor2k]

Hence tarrif's that spread off-peak hours throughout 24 hours become normal, otherwise it's ping pong peak rate. Go was a first step. It just means that comparing prices becomes more complex, there is no longer just one or two rates to compare, the hours are an important part of the equation of value.

As long as everyone avoids the 4-7pm peak, I don't know if it matters that much when we end up charging our cars. Obviously people that drive their car to work will need to charge overnight (although many could just as easily charge at work), and overnight is certainly the most convenient time, but I'm sure there are and will be plenty of people that would have no problem charging during the day if the incentive was there. It seems like we are already well and truly on our way to have all kinds of clever systems to ensure power companies are able to incentivise / control charging times. I've owned an EV for under two years, and I've already been on 3 or 4 different schemes (just having moved to Octopus Intelligent), so I'd say it's a very lively marketplace!

The overall point is that the grid has to be able to accommodate the highest ever peak, and I think we are still a long way off from EVs eclipsing dinner time. Then it comes down to optimising when EVs are charged so they maximise clean energy over dirty.

It's a really cool time to be alive, and it's great to see loads of innovation in action.

 

[rotor2k]

When my current Go contract ends, the maths does not look quite as favourable with the increase in peak rate - Go is good for most, but always be cautious.

Electricity rates are sky-high, so most people are in for disappointment/shock come renewal time. I think Go remains just as good, because the energy consumed charging an EV dwarfs the regular household consumption, so as long as the 5p rate remains low, the peak rate can go higher without as much impact to the bill.

I have to assume that Octopus (and others) are receiving government incentives to offer these 5p plans, because have you seen the market rates? The solid line is my Octopus Intelligent (ignore the extra long low bit on the right, that's an Octopus Watch bug) and the dotted line are the current Octopus Agile rates. Basically *everything* on Agile is more expensive than Go now, and has been for a while.

 

[MrBadger]

As long as everyone avoids the 4-7pm peak, I don't know if it matters that much when we end up charging our cars.

If you are looking at your pocket maybe, but if you are looking at the environment, there is

Carbon Intensity

National Grid ESO have developed a Regional Carbon Intensity forecast for the GB electricity system.

www.carbonintensity.org.uk

So avoid plugging in tonight late evening unless absolutely necessary for example

 

[rotor2k]

If you are looking at your pocket maybe, but if you are looking at the environment, there is

Carbon Intensity

National Grid ESO have developed a Regional Carbon Intensity forecast for the GB electricity system.

www.carbonintensity.org.uk

So avoid plugging in tonight late evening unless absolutely necessary for example

View attachment 699886

Ah yes, indeed. Which is where hopefully the likes of Octopus Intelligent will step in and charge when it's greener.

 

[RedMod3]

Has anyone here got an Octopus Smart Meter SMET2, and is it a 5-terminal one, ie one that supplies power to the extra terminal during the cheap rate period.

We have an Economy 7 meter, and I need that extra terminal for the immersion heater.

Can people please post what manufacturer and model of Smart Meter Octopus use?

....looks like I'm having to go to bed with the devil and get a smart meter as the E7 signal is being switched off.

 

[Sinx]

Ours says EDMI on it - and it has 4 cables coming out the bottom - if that helps?!

 

[RedMod3]

Ours says EDMI on it - and it has 4 cables coming out the bottom - if that helps?!

Could I ask if there is a model code next to EDMI, something like Mk7M.

Thank you.

 

[Sinx]

Could I ask if there is a model code next to EDMI, something like Mk7M.

Thank you.

I've PM'd you a picture of it

 

[RedMod3]

I've PM'd you a picture of it

Thanks, it uses the EDMI for the communications and the Smart Meter is a 4-terminal Aclara unit, although my research suggests that they make a 5-terminal. one too. I now just need Octopus to confirm that they can fit the AClara1415 and that their systems will manage the off-peak switching to the 5th terminal.

I think this little project will be useful for other E7 users who are considering switching to Octopus and need the switched off-peak supply.

Much appreciated.

 

[mosraza]

Guys, I need help calculating my energy costs for a Tesla to prove to someone that Octopus Go is cheaper than other suppliers.

Let's assume 11 hours to charge a Tesla Model 3 LR from 0-100 (theoretical, I know, as we won't be at 0% exactly).

Say we are on Go Faster which is 5.5p per kWh for 5 hours from 23:30 until 04:30. The rate is 16.03p per kWh for the off peak times.

Plug in at 20:30 the night before to be ready for 07:30 the next day.

This means:

20:30 - 21:30 = 16.03p
21:30 - 22:30 = 16.03p
22:30 - 23:30 = 16.03p
23:30 - 00:30 = 5.5p
00:30 - 01:30 = 5.5p
01:30 - 02:30 = 5.5p
02:30 - 03:30 = 5.5p
03:30 - 04:30 = 5.5p
04:30 - 05:30 = 16.03p
05:30 - 06:30 = 16.03p
06:30 - 07:30 = 16.03p

Total = £1.24.

Have I done this right? £1.24 to charge a Tesla from empty to full on Octopus Go Faster?? £1.24???

 

[Blokie]

Guys, I need help calculating my energy costs for a Tesla to prove to someone that Octopus Go is cheaper than other suppliers.

Let's assume 11 hours to charge a Tesla Model 3 LR from 0-100 (theoretical, I know, as we won't be at 0% exactly).

Say we are on Go Faster which is 5.5p per kWh for 5 hours from 23:30 until 04:30. The rate is 16.03p per kWh for the off peak times.

Plug in at 20:30 the night before to be ready for 07:30 the next day.

This means:

20:30 - 21:30 = 16.03p
21:30 - 22:30 = 16.03p
22:30 - 23:30 = 16.03p
23:30 - 00:30 = 5.5p
00:30 - 01:30 = 5.5p
01:30 - 02:30 = 5.5p
02:30 - 03:30 = 5.5p
03:30 - 04:30 = 5.5p
04:30 - 05:30 = 16.03p
05:30 - 06:30 = 16.03p
06:30 - 07:30 = 16.03p

Total = £1.24.

Have I done this right? £1.24 to charge a Tesla from empty to full on Octopus Go Faster?? £1.24???

Nope

You're not charging at 1kWh, you'll be charging at between 7 and 8 kWh.

 

[Adopado]

Guys, I need help calculating my energy costs for a Tesla to prove to someone that Octopus Go is cheaper than other suppliers.

Let's assume 11 hours to charge a Tesla Model 3 LR from 0-100 (theoretical, I know, as we won't be at 0% exactly).

Say we are on Go Faster which is 5.5p per kWh for 5 hours from 23:30 until 04:30. The rate is 16.03p per kWh for the off peak times.

Plug in at 20:30 the night before to be ready for 07:30 the next day.

This means:

20:30 - 21:30 = 16.03p
21:30 - 22:30 = 16.03p
22:30 - 23:30 = 16.03p
23:30 - 00:30 = 5.5p
00:30 - 01:30 = 5.5p
01:30 - 02:30 = 5.5p
02:30 - 03:30 = 5.5p
03:30 - 04:30 = 5.5p
04:30 - 05:30 = 16.03p
05:30 - 06:30 = 16.03p
06:30 - 07:30 = 16.03p

Total = £1.24.

Have I done this right? £1.24 to charge a Tesla from empty to full on Octopus Go Faster?? £1.24???

The issue that I would highlight is that charging at home from 0 to 100 (or nearly 0 to 100) is so rare for most of us that it could be discounted as a useful example. I have had my car for 2 years and have never done that. On the few occasions that I have charged to near 100% it was charging from probably half full and I can easily do that within 4 hours. This means that for my SR+ my charging is all within my 5p/kWh cheap hours bar a handfull of extras that probably only comes to a few quid a year. (However your calculation doesn't make sense anyway 72kWh even at 5p is £3.60 and if you managed to squeeze it into you own 5 hour 5.5p/kWh it would be £3.96 ... yet you seem to be suggesting charging outside your cheap rate ...?)

 

[Tinca]

Guys, I need help calculating my energy costs for a Tesla to prove to someone that Octopus Go is cheaper than other suppliers.

Let's assume 11 hours to charge a Tesla Model 3 LR from 0-100 (theoretical, I know, as we won't be at 0% exactly).

Say we are on Go Faster which is 5.5p per kWh for 5 hours from 23:30 until 04:30. The rate is 16.03p per kWh for the off peak times.

Plug in at 20:30 the night before to be ready for 07:30 the next day.

This means:

20:30 - 21:30 = 16.03p
21:30 - 22:30 = 16.03p
22:30 - 23:30 = 16.03p
23:30 - 00:30 = 5.5p
00:30 - 01:30 = 5.5p
01:30 - 02:30 = 5.5p
02:30 - 03:30 = 5.5p
03:30 - 04:30 = 5.5p
04:30 - 05:30 = 16.03p
05:30 - 06:30 = 16.03p
06:30 - 07:30 = 16.03p

Total = £1.24.

Have I done this right? £1.24 to charge a Tesla from empty to full on Octopus Go Faster?? £1.24???

Unfortunately not. You'll be charging at around 7kWh - so it is 7 x 16.03p for each hour.

In reality, you won't be charging from 0% to 100%. I have Octopus Go and charge almost every night using the 4 hours at 5ppu. I have the charger set not to charge above 5.1ppu, and this looks after everything. The only other thing I change is the charge level in the car between 90% and 100% depending on what I'm doing the next day.

4 hours charging at 7kW puts in between 38% and 40% charge on a M3LR. If I don't have any long trips, I just use this to charge up over a couple of nights to get me to 90%. Works well for me and I've covered 12K miles in 3.5 months.

4 hours charging to give 40% charge uplift at 5ppu is £1.40 per session. This gives me 110 to 140 miles - so around 1 pence per mile.