[tommydog1]

I am just moving house and need to install a charger.

I see there is a special deal for Octopus Energy customers for £199:

Ohme Home Charging Solutions

Welcome to the home of innovative smart charging for electric vehicles. Our solution helps you charge at the cheapest rate. Sounds good, right? Simple.

www.ohme-ev.com

I also need a new electricity supplier, but wonder if Octopus Energy is worth it for me? I only do 8 thousand miles per year and can do all my charging at night. I work from home, so need a tariff that is also reasonable in the day. In light of this, I am not sure if Octopus is the best option? My electricity currently costs about £115 per month with Bulb.

My other option is to go for the OLEV grant, as I did not have it at my previous house. But is it really worth it? Am I not better paying an electrician privately to install a 32amp commando socket and getting the Ohme Octopus deal for £199? Or maybe Octopus will work out expensive for me, with my limited mileage and working from home in the day?

 

[tommydog1]

Yes. Fit commando. Get an octolead.

It seems that's the way to go. What commando socket did people get for outdoor use? I was looking at the below, but it's only rated to IP44:

32 Amp 230V 3 Pin Interlock Socket Switched 2P+E Single Phase Blue : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop 32 Amp 230V 3 Pin Interlock Socket Switched 2P+E Single Phase Blue. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

www.amazon.co.uk

I need something with a bit better IP rating for outdoor use.

 

[tommydog1]

The commando socket was from Gewiss, can't remember the details ATM but was IP76?

I have been unable to find any that are fully rated for outdoor use, as I want to place it on an exterior wall of the house. I plan to buy all the stuff, route the cable etc and then pay an electrician just to connect it to the consumer unit and sign the work off.

Not sure how commando plugs work exactly? Are they fully waterproof when the ohme cable is plugged into them? Is the commando connection suitable for charging in heavy rain safely?

 

[tommydog1]

£115 a month for electricity alone is a lot - do you have electric heating?

I don't have electric heating and think it's a hell of a lot as well, although I note this month it was less at £78.02. Below is my recent bill from Bulb - Do you think Octopus would work out better considering the current deal on the ohme charger?

 

[tommydog1]

I signed up for Octopus in the end using Paul M referral link (Due to him making a donation to a charity of my choice). I then went to the Ohme website and ordered the charger at £199 for Octopus customers. Just one question, will the Ohme charger still work if I change energy suppliers at some point in the future? Or is it locked to Octopus? Also is the Ohme charger totally controlled by an app, or is there is manual override button on the charger to initiate a charge if I loose my phone etc?