Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Octopus Energy unveils first smart home EV charger to cut charging costs

The new Octopus Charge device connects to the energy supplier’s proprietary Kraken platform

Octopus Energy Unveils Smart Home EV Charger to Slash Charging Costs

It follows a broader strategy by Octopus Energy to offer home energy hardware

Getty Images

Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest electricity supplier, has launched its first home electric vehicle (EV) charger, named Octopus Charge. The charger is designed to integrate with the company’s smart energy system to enable cost-effective and environmentally friendly charging.

Smart charging through Kraken platform

The new Octopus Charge device connects to the energy supplier’s proprietary Kraken platform, which automatically adjusts charging to coincide with times when electricity is cheapest and greenest. This enables EV owners to take advantage of lower rates and reduce their carbon footprint.


The charger also integrates with Intelligent Octopus Go – a smart EV tariff – and the recently launched Drive Pack tariff. The latter allows for unlimited overnight EV charging at home for £30 per month, making it a potentially attractive option for frequent drivers.

Limited early access and launch schedule

Initially, the charger will be available to customers who use Octopus Energy’s EV leasing service. A wider rollout to all Octopus Energy customers is scheduled for August 2025.

To promote early adoption, the first 100 customers to install the charger will receive up to 5,000 miles of free charging. This promotional offer equates to enough electricity to travel the full length of the UK from Land’s End to John o’ Groats and back.

Expanding low-carbon home technology

Although Octopus Charge is the company’s first EV charger, it follows a broader strategy by Octopus Energy to offer home energy hardware. In September 2023, the company introduced the Cosy 6 heat pump at the Energy Tech Summit in London. The product aimed to reduce upfront costs for consumers and encourage the adoption of low-carbon heating solutions.

Building on this, the company launched the Cosy Octopus tariff in June 2024, specifically tailored for heat pump users. Both moves align with Octopus Energy’s goal to help UK households transition to greener, more efficient energy usage.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus Energy, said the company was “delighted” to launch its first charger. “Charging at home is already better than queueing up at the petrol station – and now we’ve made it even simpler,” she said.

Home charging key to EV affordability

Data shows that the cost of charging an EV at home is significantly lower than using public charging infrastructure. Analysis by Cornwall Insight reveals that home charging – especially on off-peak tariffs – can save drivers as much as £1,500 per year compared to public chargepoints.

Despite this, widespread access to home charging remains a challenge. While around 80% of EV drivers currently benefit from home charging, approximately 75% of UK homes do not have a private driveway, limiting access to at-home installation.

Policy changes aim to remove barriers

Until recently, installing a home EV charger often required a planning application, which added complexity and cost. However, a recent policy change by the UK government has eliminated the need for planning consent for home and business EV charger installations.

According to the Department for Transport, the change could save households around £1,100 on average, helping more people afford home charging setups and supporting the broader transition to electric vehicles.

More For You

NatWest

NatWest also raised its key profit guidance for the year, saying it now expects to achieve a return on tangible equity of 16.5 per cent, up from its earlier guidance of up to 16 per cent.

Reuters

NatWest profit rises 18 per cent, returns £750 million to shareholders

NATWEST reported an 18 per cent rise in first-half profit on Friday, slightly ahead of expectations, as it recorded growth in both loans and deposits. The performance allowed the bank to announce a new share buyback worth £750 million.

The British lender posted an operating pretax profit of £3.6 billion for the January to June period. This compares with the £3.46bn average forecast from analysts compiled by the bank.

Keep ReadingShow less
Industry cheers India-UK trade deal as 'transformational'

Prime minister Keir Starmer and prime minister Narendra Modi of India walk on the ground at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS

Industry cheers India-UK trade deal as 'transformational'

THE India-UK free trade agreement signed on Thursday (24) has been hailed by Indian business and industry leaders as a “transformational milestone” for trade.

 

Following his talks with Starmer, Modi described the “historic” deal as the start of a new chapter in bilateral relations, which will greatly improve the ease and confidence of doing business between the two countries.

Keep ReadingShow less
 Anil Ambani

Several companies within Anil Ambani’s group have entered bankruptcy proceedings since 2017.

Reuters

Reliance Anil Ambani Group investigated over alleged siphoning of YES Bank loans: Report

INDIA's financial crime agency has searched 35 locations linked to the Reliance Anil Ambani Group as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds, a government source told Reuters on Thursday.

According to the source, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleges the group was involved in a “well-planned” scheme to divert bank loans worth 30 billion rupees (around £256 million) from YES Bank to various shell companies between 2017 and 2019. The source requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi-Starmer-Getty

The deal was formalised during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to the UK, where he held talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India, UK sign landmark free trade agreement during Modi’s London visit

INDIA and the United Kingdom signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to the UK. The deal, finalised after three years of negotiations, aims to boost annual bilateral trade by around £25.5 billion.

The agreement was signed by India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal and the UK’s secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds following formal talks between Modi and prime minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, northwest of London.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bestway-retailers

The company said the move comes during its 50th anniversary year and is intended to help retailers manage cost pressures and improve margins.

getty images

Bestway backs independent retailers with £10 million price drop

BESTWAY WHOLESALE has announced a £10 million investment to reduce prices on more than 2,000 core lines.

The price cuts, which are not part of any promotion, will take immediate effect and are aimed at supporting independent retailers across the UK.

Keep ReadingShow less