Octopus Go Intelligent new 6 hours charging limit

[Chris H]

On the app they give some scenarios.

I’m not sure I understand. Can you share some examples of how it works?
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Imagine you need a 5-hour charge (that’s what most people need).

Scenario 1: we schedule all of the 5 hours outside of the off-peak period (eg. between 2:00-4:00pm, and between 8:00pm-11:00pm)

You get off-peak rates for your home and for your car between 2:00-4:00pm and between 8:00pm-11:00pm
You also get off-peak rates for your home between 11:30pm and 5:30am (you always do)

Scenario 2: we schedule some of the 5 hours outside of the off-peak period (eg. between 8:00pm-11:00pm) and some during the off-peak period (between 12:00am-2:00am)

You get off-peak rates for your home and for your car between 8:00pm-11:00pm and between 12:00am-2:00am.
You also get off-peak rates for your home between 11:30pm and 5:30am (you always do)

Scenario 3: we schedule all of the 5 hours during the off-peak period (eg. between 12:00am-5:00am)

You get off-peak rates for your home and for your car between 12:00am-5:00am
You also get off-peak rate for your home between 11:30pm-12am and 5am-5:30am, as always
What if the charging session lasts more than 6 hours, for example 7 hours?

That’s unusual, but if that’s the case, the first 6 hours of smart charging will be at off-peak, and the last one billed at peak rate regardless of what time of the day it is scheduled.

The whole point is that Octopus do the scheduling, not you.

 

[LenEV2016]

The whole point is that Octopus do the scheduling, not you.

Yeah I know that, they always have. The only thing you control is % and the time it needs to be ready by

 

[Rolfe]

They need to discontinue this "schedule created" nonsense".

 

[Rolfe]

Yeah towards the end of January

Handy. So I'm OK for the night of 21st/22nd December.

How many more kWh's would you need over the 42kWh you can put in over 6h? Presumably you'd only be looking at an extra 20p or so per kWh compared to the IOG rate?

Yes, I'd probably just do that if there wasn't any leeway in iOG. Just start the charge on the Zappi timer at 11.30 and let it run, without any Smart charge. But if I can get an extra half hour or so from a Smart charge in December, I'll do that.

Do you have the option to preheat the battery on the MG4? I have on my i3 and makes a huge difference to pre heat the battery and the car before departure, usually whilst on charge.

Safe journey and a very Merry Christmas to you all

Oh yes, I will certainly do that too. Usually if I set it to pre-heat the battery before 5.30 (and it does it, it doesn't always work) then, if I ask it again to pre-heat an hour or so before I'm due to leave, it says it doesn't need any more pre-heating.

 

[Rolfe]

OR. Only plug the car in during the day for emergency top ups and don't leave plugged in - which defeats what Octopus are trying to achieve,
OR. Only plug in at night to take at advantage of the 6 hours without go over.

I do the latter normally. I have the Zappi schedule set to run 11.30 till 5.30 and just plug in whenever I need to charge. Just now and again I'll ask for a Smart charge at 11.30 to be done by 5.30, to keep their T&Cs happy.

 

[Tig170]

... to be fair to octopus I just plug in as an when, and it works seamlessly, never had a peak rate (boost?) charge, and still only paying around £700 for just under 10Mwh / year