Drivers of electric vehicles can offset some of the latest rises in energy prices by ensuring that they are on a smart energy tariff when they charge, according to smart charging company Ohme.
Founded in 2017, London-based Ohme offers smart charging solutions for consumers, business, and fleets that enables consumers to charge at off-peak times and reduce their charging costs and environmental impact.
Households across the UK are under increasing financial pressure after market regulator Ofgem announced a rise in the energy price cap last week. However, EV drivers can offset some of the effects of that rise by switching to one of the many “off-peak tariffs” available for charging their vehicles, notes Ohme.
Starting 1st October, the Standard Variable Tariff will rise from 28p/kWh to 52p/kWh and is due to rise again in January. In light of these changes, Ohme believes it’s now even more important for EV drivers to ensure that they charge their cars on an off-peak tariff such as Octopus Intelligent.
Ohme’s CEO, David Watson explains: “Speak to your existing electricity supplier and find out if they offer an off-peak tariff, if they don’t then switch to a provider that does to get the full savings of running an electric vehicle.”
The smart charging platform – which is the official provider for customers on the Motability scheme, the largest UK fleet operator in the UK – offers drivers the option to charge their car when renewable energy generation on the National Grid is at its highest, further lowering their CO2 impact.
With the average UK driver covering 6,800 miles a year, charging on an off-peak tariff in a typical EV (capable of 4 miles per kWh) would cost just £127.50 with Octopus Intelligent at 7.5p/kWh, according to Ohme. At the current Standard Variable Tariff of 28p/kWh, that same annual mileage would cost £476, while the forthcoming new price cap of 52p/kWh will cost £884 – six times more than with an off-peak tariff.