Tomato Energy

[johnb80]

Another "convert" to Tomato Energy here!

My switchover happens next Saturday, September 7th.

Keep us updated how it goes.

 

[emmrecs]

Keep us updated how it goes

Will do!

OK, here comes the first problem!

I have a pre-facelift car, so no iSmart or similar (car) app, and a Rolec smart EVSE controlled via the ev.energy app.

I sent customer service at ev.energy full details of my new Tomato Lifestyle tariff and asked that they update the app (and my account) in order to be able to take full advantage of the "cheapest" route to charging my car. The app "knows" I have solar panels and uses their output to calculate the "best" times to charge. My hope was that the Tomato Lifestyle tariff would slot very nicely into this "arrangement".

However, I have today received the following from ev.energy:

Unfortunately we will not be able to support that type of tariff at this time.

In order to have a dynamic tariff we need a direct API link with your supplier (like Octopus, for example) and we do not with this supplier.

We can support any flat or dual tariffs but the dynamic changing ones need to be linked.

I have reported this to Tomato Energy and asked that they reach out to ev.energy to seek a resolution of this.

In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions to make about how to avoid the silly situation of my charging app not using actual cost data to control my EV charging?

TIA.

 

[ljw2k]

Just set it to charge from 12am-6am ?

 

[Rolfe]

Pedant. 12 midnight to 6 am. There is no such thing as 12 am, or indeed 12 pm either, by definition.

 

[ljw2k]

Pedant. 12 midnight to 6 am. There is no such thing as 12 am, or indeed 12 pm either, by definition.

Yes, there is both a 12 AM and a 12 PM. Here’s the difference:

• 12 AM refers to midnight, the start of a new day.
• 12 PM refers to noon, the middle of the day

Maybe I should have used 00:00-06:00 instead?

PS : like the pussy avatar

 

[emmrecs]

Just set it to charge from 12am-6am ?

The car has no charging settings itself and the app doesn't enable the user to specify a start time, only a time by which it should be "ready", i.e. fully charged. It's one of the few disadvantages of the pre-facelift version of the car and the particular EVSE I have, IMO.

 

[ljw2k]

The car has no charging settings itself and the app doesn't enable the user to specify a start time, only a time by which it should be "ready", i.e. fully charged. It's one of the few disadvantages of the pre-facelift version of the car and the particular EVSE I have, IMO.

No good if you can't charge the car from time A>time B , Only when the car or App says so.
Thanks but no thanks I would be looking for another charger or car.

 

[Rolfe]

Yes, there is both a 12 AM and a 12 PM. Here’s the difference:

• 12 AM refers to midnight, the start of a new day.
• 12 PM refers to noon, the middle of the day

Maybe I should have used 00:00-06:00 instead?

PS : like the pussy avatar

Still nonsense even if someone says that's how they think you it ought to be. Am means before noon and pm means after noon. Noon is neither before nor after noon. Neither is midnight.

 

[ljw2k]

I will complain to ChatGPT then and tell them they are wrong

 

[Rolfe]

They're usually wrong. They only scrape the internet for things other people have posted, and regurgitate them. Garbage in, garbage out.

 

[johnb80]

OK, here comes the first problem!

I have a pre-facelift car, so no iSmart or similar (car) app, and a Rolec smart EVSE controlled via the ev.energy app.

I sent customer service at ev.energy full details of my new Tomato Lifestyle tariff and asked that they update the app (and my account) in order to be able to take full advantage of the "cheapest" route to charging my car. The app "knows" I have solar panels and uses their output to calculate the "best" times to charge. My hope was that the Tomato Lifestyle tariff would slot very nicely into this "arrangement".

However, I have today received the following from ev.energy:

Unfortunately we will not be able to support that type of tariff at this time.

In order to have a dynamic tariff we need a direct API link with your supplier (like Octopus, for example) and we do not with this supplier.

We can support any flat or dual tariffs but the dynamic changing ones need to be linked.

I have reported this to Tomato Energy and asked that they reach out to ev.energy to seek a resolution of this.

In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions to make about how to avoid the silly situation of my charging app not using actual cost data to control my EV charging?

TIA.

Can you not set a timer within your EVSE? Surely thats possible its the most basic option in any charging equipment. You dont need an API links at all with Tomato, theyre not bothered what youre connecting, it's not a smart or agile tariff.

 

[Gomev]

The car has no charging settings itself and the app doesn't enable the user to specify a start time, only a time by which it should be "ready", i.e. fully charged. It's one of the few disadvantages of the pre-facelift version of the car and the particular EVSE I have, IMO.

The ev.energy app you can set your own tariff.
In the Smart section, click on Tariff, then Update Tariff, Then 'Provider not listed' at the bottom of the screen, then 'Add my rate manually' You can then provide all the details for a multi-rate tariff and times.

Not ideal but at least it will cover the smart charging.

 

[emmrecs]

Can you not set a timer within your EVSE?

Only a "finishing" time, unfortunately.

In the Smart section, click on Tariff, then Update Tariff, Then 'Provider not listed' at the bottom of the screen, then 'Add my rate manually' You can then provide all the details for a multi-rate tariff and times.

Indeed, I have done this. But those settings allow for only two different rates and Tomato has 3!

Just out of interest, those 3 rates change "automatically" at the same times of every day, so is that really "Dynamic Pricing"? My understanding of the term is that it refers to prices which change or "update" at irregular times, dependent on electricity supply and demand. Is that correct?

 

[Gomev]

Only a "finishing" time, unfortunately.



Indeed, I have done this. But those settings allow for only two different rates and Tomato has 3!

Just out of interest, those 3 rates change "automatically" at the same times of every day, so is that really "Dynamic Pricing"? My understanding of the term is that it refers to prices which change or "update" at irregular times, dependent on electricity supply and demand. Is that correct?

As far as the ev.energy app is concerned all it needs to know is when you want it to charge on an off-peak rate. So put that those times in as the off peak and the rest as peak.

 

[emmrecs]

To all who contributed about my charging time problem: many thanks!

As of now (possibly only a temporary "fix") I have had ev.energy set up the tariff in my app to show the 6 hour overnight period (4.77p/kWh) as the "cheap" and the remainder of the day (18 hours) as the "peak" (22.05p/kWh). In fact, when I include the fact that that 18 hour "peak" actually includes 4 hours of 12.74 p/kWh, by my calculations the net result is that the average cost is just under 20p/kWh.

Not to mention, I do also have a 5.6kW solar array contributing its output.

My changeover occurs on Saturday and my car will definitely be in need of a charge by then so, once I see what costs for that charging are shown in the app, I may consider contacting ev.energy again and have them reset the "peak" tariff in the app to 20p.

@johnb80

I assume your mention in your first post to this thread of "Zero Exit Fee" is unique to their Business Tariff? I ask because I see the Lifestyle Tariff has zero exit fee after one year's membership, at least it does on my contract (with no mention of what that fee might be for user termination within the first year.)

 

[ljw2k]

It says on the lifestyle tariff page for Tomato Lifestyle Fixed TP July 2024-V1-Battery

EDIT Just been on the phone to them and there are NO EXIT FEES confirmed.

@johnb80

I assume your mention in your first post to this thread of "Zero Exit Fee" is unique to their Business Tariff? I ask because I see the Lifestyle Tariff has zero exit fee after one year's membership, at least it does on my contract (with no mention of what that fee might be for user termination within the first year.)

Any chance you can forward the section or direct me to where it states this please mate as I am about to join them and would hate to think I am locked in for a year.

 

[Gadget Geek]

Any chance you can forward the section or direct me to where it states this please mate as I am about to join them and would hate to think I am locked in for a year.

I'm not worried even if there is an exit fee. No one's going to beat them on price even before the price rises.

 

[ljw2k]

Different for me as I only want to use them for say 6 months over winter then go back to Octopus Agile for the summer months to get my 15p/kWh Export.

 

[Gadget Geek]

From the terms and conditions;

"14.11 If You choose to switch suppliers, You must inform us 30 days before the Supply
Contract End Date. If You choose to switch suppliers at an earlier stage in the Term,
You must inform us as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event 10 working
days before the date when You intend to switch suppliers. Me reserve the right to
obUect to such a change. If You change supplier without providing Is with advance
notice, We reserve the right to object to the change, and/or to charge You an early
termination fee, representing a sum which is equivalent to a reasonable
pre-estimate of our loss of profit."

Different for me as I only want to use them for say 6 months over winter then go back to Octopus Agile for the summer months to get my 15p/kWh Export.

As I understand it, your export is independent of your supplier.

 

[ljw2k]

From the terms and conditions;

"14.11 If You choose to switch suppliers, You must inform us 30 days before the Supply
Contract End Date. If You choose to switch suppliers at an earlier stage in the Term,
You must inform us as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event 10 working
days before the date when You intend to switch suppliers. Me reserve the right to
obUect to such a change. If You change supplier without providing Is with advance
notice, We reserve the right to object to the change, and/or to charge You an early
termination fee, representing a sum which is equivalent to a reasonable
pre-estimate of our loss of profit."

In the domestic T&C's it only states the below then jumps to chapter 15:

14) Supply Contract14.1 We reserve the right to unilaterally amend any terms and provisions of the Supply Contract that are not in any way disadvantageous to You.