Octopus and Project EV chargers

[Gomev]

The EV.Energy app that I use on my Rolec (and used with other chargers) controls the charging according to Tariff and other factors you may wish to add. It calculates and displays the cost which agrees with Octopus figures perfectly.

 

[johnb80]

The EV.Energy app that I use on my Rolec (and used with other chargers) controls the charging according to Tariff and other factors you may wish to add. It calculates and displays the cost which agrees with Octopus figures perfectly.

Sounds interesting, how exactly does it control the Rolec, I assume via internet link?

 

[PremierscfcEV]

Yes same here

The EV.Energy app that I use on my Rolec (and used with other chargers) controls the charging according to Tariff and other factors you may wish to add. It calculates and displays the cost which agrees with Octopus figures perfectly.

Same here, had to charge outside more than the 4hrs @9p but I think £6.83 isn't too bad to get me to 90%

 

[johnb80]

Yes same here

Same here, had to charge outside more than the 4hrs @9p but I think £6.83 isn't too bad to get me to 90%

I'm struggling to see what the app has done for you here over and above a timer.

44.41 kWh and a cost of £6.83

You say you get 4 hours at 9p so 28 kWh should be achievable in 4 hours (assuming a 7kW EVSE). That would have cost £2.52 the remaining 16.41 kWh costing £4.31 which is 26.26p/kWh. This sounds slightly above the Octopus GO peak rate.

So, what advantage has the app given you? Maybe it's just a convenience thing ? Could the timer function not be done from the car?

It's probably me not seeing the obvious !

 

[Gomev]

Sounds interesting, how exactly does it control the Rolec, I assume via internet link?

To be honest, not sure. The Rolec uses the mobile network for it's own purposes but too many years since I set it up, but seem to remember connecting app via internet. ?‍ So app to Rolec server to EVSE ? Maybe someone else can confirm.
I have also linked it now to my Hyundai account and it now communicates with my car and shows on board SOC when plugged in, which it obviously couldn't with the MGs I had.
It does solar as well, but not having solar myself I cannot vouch for anything there.

 

[Gomev]

I'm struggling to see what the app has done for you here over and above a timer.

44.41 kWh and a cost of £6.83

You say you get 4 hours at 9p so 28 kWh should be achievable in 4 hours (assuming a 7kW EVSE). That would have cost £2.52 the remaining 16.41 kWh costing £4.31 which is 26.26p kWh. This sounds slightly above the Octopus GO peak rate.

So, what advantage has the app given you? Maybe it's just a convenience thing ? Could the timer function not be done from the car?

It's probably me not seeing the obvious !

Aren't all smart chargers simply timers, only difference is where it gets it 'times to charge' from. Either you tell it your tariff and it then knows when to charge, or you tell it the times directly via other means, such as IOG. There is usually an override to smart charging for immediate boost/charging if needed. It provides a lock for the charger when away, or if set to smart charging only, won't charge outside of those hours. If this can be done on the charger then good, but the app provides convenience.
If your car is capable then set the timer in there if you wish.
Time of day tariffs are just that, times when to charge, all you need is a timer.

 

[johnb80]

Aren't all smart chargers simply timers, only difference is where it gets it 'times to charge' from.

Err, no

Prime example, Zappi can look at export occuring from wind or solar and divert that into the EV at whatever rate is available eg 2.2kW being exported it would set the car charging at 2.2kW. It can also limit the charging rate dependent on other house loads and it can work co-operatively with electric water heating. Finally it can interface with energy companies which can take control of charging times and rates for favourable energy costs such as Octopus Intelligent GO. There are other features too but I'm sure you get the idea.

Either you tell it your tariff and it then knows when to charge, or you tell it the times directly via other means, such as IOG. There is usually an override to smart charging for immediate boost/charging if needed. It provides a lock for the charger when away, or if set to smart charging only, won't charge outside of those hours. If this can be done on the charger then good, but the app provides convenience.

Yep, as stated, all of the above and more, it can be done from the Zappi front panel display or from the app.

If your car is capable then set the timer in there if you wish.
Time of day tariffs are just that, times when to charge, all you need is a timer.

Agreed

 

[Gomev]

Err, no

Prime example, Zappi can look at export occuring from wind or solar and divert that into the EV at whatever rate is available eg 2.2kW being exported it would set the car charging at 2.2kW. It can also limit the charging rate dependent on other house loads and it can work co-operatively with electric water heating. Finally it can interface with energy companies which can take control of charging times and rates for favourable energy costs such as Octopus Intelligent GO. There are other features too but I'm sure you get the idea.

So it's a timer with added functions. I never claimed that an EVSE couldn't potentially do more.

And to answer your original question from post #24 perhaps the obvious thing you are missing is that it doesn't need to do any more than be a timer if you don't have solar or batteries, which I would guess (hate doing that) is the majority of users. The app is for convenience, the same as the app for your Zappi is a convenience, after all you don't want to do it all on a touchscreen on the EVSE itself.

 

[Bam Bam]

So it's a timer with added functions. I never claimed that an EVSE couldn't potentially do more.

And to answer your original question from post #24 perhaps the obvious thing you are missing is that it doesn't need to do any more than be a timer if you don't have solar or batteries, which I would guess (hate doing that) is the majority of users. The app is for convenience, the same as the app for your Zappi is a convenience, after all you don't want to do it all on a touchscreen on the EVSE itself.

I've got Octopus Intelligent flux and they do all sorts of things with our home battery. Fill it relatively slowly during the day for instance.

Having the option to charge cars more slowly over a longer time might be a useful feature going forwards.

 

[HillsHaveEyes]

I have an October 2022 MG Trophy and a Project EV home charger. Can anyone please advise me whether Octopus GO or Intelligent Octopus are now compatible with Project EV charger? I know that Octopus doesn't "talk" to all EVs and chargers yet. Many thanks.

I'm with Octopus on their Intelligent tariff, I have a Project EV charger , my car is a Tesla, at first, like all others it didn't work, wouldn't go in to suspended mode after Octopus tool control, simply stopped. Went back to using the inbuilt charger controls options in my car (not the app).

I eventually emailed Project EV and explained my situation, provided them with my serial number, half hour later I received an email saying, firmware updated and set to 1 second delay, could I try again and feedback results.

Since then its worked perfectly, even when I changed from a Model 3 to a Model Y and had to go through the Tesla security setup to allow Octopus access to the Tesla remote charging, works every time. During the setup, Octopus will tell you if their product is compatible with, both your charger and the make of you car.

The guys at both Octopus & Project EV couldn't have been more helpful.

Hope this helps.