[Tall Phil]

Currently on Go and looking at switching to Intelligent.

As far as I can tell you get 2 hours more cheap leccy and at a reduced price by 2p per kW.

So couple of questions for those already using Intelligent GO, if I may.

Each time I want to charge the EV I would have specify the charge? Do I specify the number of kW I want, the percentage battery charge I want or the amount of time I need it to charge for?

If a full charge takes longer than the "cheap-rate" 6 hours, does it stop charging at the 6 hour mark, thereby only using cheap-rate leccy?

I have read that Octopus will charge the EV to the level requested by the requested time not necessarily in the "normal" 6-hour window but still only charging cheap rate. So that means the Octopus app controls the charge not the Zappi. Can you set the Zappi to control the charging times anyway, ignoring the Intelligent charging?

If Octopus can change the time that the EV is charged, how does that impact using the 6-hour period for washing machine / dish washer equipment? If they move the times for EV charging, how do you know when to switch on the white goods to make use of the cheap-rate leccy?

Thanks in advance for any answers to these (dumb?) questions.

 

[Kieren]

Depends on your charger or car. Your car must either be compatible with the Octopus app or you must have a compatible charger (if you have the latter, eg Ohme home pro) then any car can be used.
You get 6 hours of off peak charging (2330-0530) by default which you can use for charging your car and for any other electrical appliance e.g. dishwasher or washing machine or immersion heater. Sometimes you may get additional off peak rates which you can also use for your appliances.
As long as you use the app (either octopus or Ohme) and follow the instructions just plug in, set a departure time and either add an amount of charge to add (if your car API is not compatible) or %age charge (if it is compatible)

 

[Harry6]

Hi, you can't currently use the Zappi with IO.
As above you need an Ohme EVSE.
What car do you have and is it on the Octopus compatible list?

 

[Odinias]

What car do you have?

11.30pm to 5.30am is always at the cheap rate no matter whether you're charging the car or not. These hours are fixed no matter what so you can do your laundry during these hours.

In the Octopus app, you set the time you want the charge to finish (earliest is 4am and latest is 11am) and the state of charge you want it to be at by the time it reaches the finishing time. If it's unable to charge to that level within the cheap 6 hours then it will charge outside of the off peak rate. So long as the charge is controlled by Intelligent octopus, even if its outside the 6 hour window, you will always be charged at the cheap rate.

Hope that answers your questions.

 

[wyx087]

Does one have to open the Octopus app to set the target percentage every time plugging in?
Or does it remember last charge limit that was set?
Or ideally, it take the car's built-in charge limit that had been set? (Tesla)

I hate having multiple apps and fiddling with phone for stuff that I do often. I normally have Home Assistant linked up with my calendar to set Tesla's charge limit based on tomorrow's travel distance. Every night I only need to plug in. It would suck having to confirm charge % everytime plugging in.

 

[vaugi]

Does one have to open the Octopus app to set the target percentage every time plugging in?

You just need to set it once in the app and it's saved until you need to change it again.

 

[Tall Phil]

Thanks everyone for your answers. I don't have an Ohme charger (shame) but do have an I-Pace, which would be compatible.

Not to worry, I'll wait to see if they include the Zappi at some point.

 

[Ski Tron]

You can join Octopus Intelligent because you have a Jaguar., regardless of your charger.
this might answer some of your queries.
when you need it you get extra cheap hours over the default 6. Not many of us have 95kwh batteries.

 

[Ski Tron]

Does one have to open the Octopus app to set the target percentage every time plugging in?
Or does it remember last charge limit that was set?
Or ideally, it take the car's built-in charge limit that had been set? (Tesla)

I hate having multiple apps and fiddling with phone for stuff that I do often. I normally have Home Assistant linked up with my calendar to set Tesla's charge limit based on tomorrow's travel distance. Every night I only need to plug in. It would suck having to confirm charge % everytime plugging in.

it’ll be the same Octopus app that does your bills, payments and usage.
it remembers the target percentage from last time.
it cannot override any limit set in the car, so you could leave Octopus at 100% and set your car target as you currently do.

 

[robtree]

Still doesn't support two different EVs, right?

 

[Ski Tron]

Still doesn't support two different EVs, right?

The one that uses the most kWh should be paired with IO. The other can be set to charge in the default window.
But no, you cannot have 2 cars paired to your IO account.

 

[Aleras]

You just need to set it once in the app and it's saved until you need to change it again.

View attachment 173977

That's great it has a charge limit thst was one of my big questions. I hope they add Zappi to this. They should really and podpoint

 

[AndyG]

Still doesn't support two different EVs, right?

You dont need to pair both, just charge the second one within the 11.30-5.30 slot gives you the cheap rate charging....

 

[Stinsy]

That's great it has a charge limit thst was one of my big questions. I hope they add Zappi to this. They should really and podpoint

Zappi has been “coming soon” for years. I don’t think Octopus or MyEnergi realise how big a deal this integration would be otherwise they’d have done it long ago.

 

[Harry_Zoe]

Zappi has been “coming soon” for years. I don’t think Octopus or MyEnergi realise how big a deal this integration would be otherwise they’d have done it long ago.

Greg Jackson said on Twitter recently that the Zappi is going to be "May-ish" for addition to the list of approved chargers for IO. Got my fingers crossed for when I need to change tariff in August!

 

[wyx087]

it’ll be the same Octopus app that does your bills, payments and usage.
it remembers the target percentage from last time.
it cannot override any limit set in the car, so you could leave Octopus at 100% and set your car target as you currently do.

Perfect, thank you.
I cannot see this devices tab because I'm only on GO.

Sounds like I can leave it at 100% all the time, for 9am start (because when I need 100% it's usually family trips).
Then do what I currently do using the car's built-in charge limit.

I suppose they want to provide the same experience across the board. But they can definitely get what was set into the car via Tesla's API.

 

[Pmholling]

Zappi has been “coming soon” for years. I don’t think Octopus or MyEnergi realise how big a deal this integration would be otherwise they’d have done it long ago.

I think IO exposes the total randomness of APIs and lack-thereof, both vehicle and charger. We think everything is smart, but each vehicle behaves totally differently. Some are easier to wake from sleep, some will give more detailed status, some allow more finely grained charing schedules. I seem to remember reading that for the BMW integration Octopus basically sets a charge schedule going into each charging slot, wiping out ones the user has set. Charger integration is likely a much better approach, but different smart chargers behave totally differently. I am guessing the interactions and complexity just takes forever. In addition to Ohme, there are some people on the Wallbox beta (and I think a few on a Zappi beta). From what little I have seen the two chargers interact with IO totally separately.

Greg Jackson said on Twitter recently that the Zappi is going to be "May-ish" for addition to the list of approved chargers for IO. Got my fingers crossed for when I need to change tariff in August!

I think now that chargers have settled down, and there doesn't seem to be a move to standardise the vehicle APIs that focusing on charger integration is probably where the value is. Of course many early adopters may end up left in the cold, but the current 6 or so most popular smart charger brands will likely cost far less to support than all of the vehicle APIs going forward.

 

[KenB]

If you have 2 EVs how does OE know which car is plugged in to the charger ? I guess if you can just plug in as many EVs to the supply as you like within the cheap period its just academic. OE is all about Octopus getting paid for a grid balancing function.

 

[Pmholling]

If you have 2 EVs how does OE know which car is plugged in to the charger ? I guess if you can just plug in as many EVs to the supply as you like within the cheap period its just academic. OE is all about Octopus getting paid for a grid balancing function.

Depends on the mode of integration. If you have vehicle integration yes, as it talks to that vehicle. Charger integration not by default. You onboard based on a vehicle-charger, so there is a vehicle model in the default calculations. However, the actual schedule will be based on what you want on the day.

 

[Tall Phil]

For those with a Zappi, what settings do you put it on in order to allow Octopus Intelligent to work?