Octopus Energy Unveils Home EV Charger for Greener, Cheaper Charging

Image Credit: Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest energy supplier, has just revealed its first-ever home electric vehicle charger, named Octopus Charge. This new device is built to work hand-in-hand with the company’s innovative energy platform, Kraken. The idea? Let the system automatically charge your car when electricity is both the cheapest and cleanest, without you lifting a finger.

What sets Octopus Charge apart is its ability to connect with Intelligent Octopus Go, the company’s smart EV tariff. It also pairs with the recently launched Drive Pack. This subscription offers unlimited charging for just thirty pounds a month. Initially, the charger will be offered exclusively to customers who lease electric vehicles through Octopus. A broader launch for all Octopus Energy customers is planned for August.

To kick things off, the company is giving an extra incentive to the first 100 early adopters. They’ll receive enough free charging credit for up to five thousand miles. That’s roughly the distance from Land’s End to John o’Groats, and back again.

Although this marks the debut of Octopus Energy’s home charger, it is not the company’s first piece of low-carbon home tech. Back in September 2023, at the Energy Tech Summit in London, Octopus introduced the Cosy 6. This heat pump system was designed to help reduce the cost of installation and accelerate adoption across UK homes. That launch was followed by a dedicated heat pump tariff, Cosy Octopus, which went live in June 2024.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus Energy, commented that the company was “delighted” with the product launch, adding: “Charging at home is already better than queueing up at the petrol station – and now we’ve made it even simpler.”

Why Home Charging Matters Now More Than Ever

Charging your electric vehicle at home is not just about convenience, it is also about cost. Studies have shown that relying on public charging stations can be hundreds if not thousands, of pounds more expensive each year. Research from Cornwall Insight reveals that public charging could cost a typical EV driver as much as £ 1,500 more annually than using a well-timed, off-peak home tariff.

But here's the challenge: while 80 per cent of current EV drivers can charge at home, most homes in the UK, around 75 per cent, do not have access to a driveway. That leaves millions of people with more expensive public options, which adds up over time and discourages wider adoption of electric vehicles.

Adding to the difficulty, until recently, homeowners had to apply for planning permission to install an electric vehicle (EV) charger. That extra step added cost and complexity. Thankfully, the UK government has now removed this requirement. Homeowners and businesses no longer need planning consent to install a charger on their property.

According to estimates from the Department for Transport, this policy change will save new charger owners approximately £ 1,100 on average.