Electric vehicles

Getting started with Charge Anytime

Charge Anytime

Charge Anytime is a free add-on you can get with any tariff. It’s available any time, day or night, just set your ‘ready by’ time and we do the rest.

It works out as 7p per kWh, which is 19p less than your standard tariff rate, or 2p per mile.

You need to be an OVO customer with an energy tariff to get this add-on. You also need a compatible EV or charger and a smart meter.

How it works

Charge Anytime’s smart charge tech means charging when the grid is greenest, letting us pass the savings on to you.

Smart charging means we can charge your EV at low-demand times, helping balance the grid. The compensation we get from this, we can pass on to you. In exchange for flexibility, you get a great 7p rate, it’s a win-win.

All you need to do is set your ‘ready by’ time and we’ll do the rest.To get the Charge Anytime 7p rate, set your ‘ready by’ time to at least three hours in advance.

If you’re in a hurry, you can override your smart charging schedule by using the Urgent Charge function. This will start charging your EV immediately and is charged at your standard home electricity rate, not 7p per kWh.

Getting Charge Anytime

To get Charge Anytime you need to:

Be on an OVO tariff (not PAYG)
Have a compatible EV or EV charger
Have a stable internet connection
Have a working smart meter

If you have solar panels you’ll need a solar compatible charger. You can get Charge Anytime via your EV or via your EV charger.

If you have a compatible EV you can download the Charge Anytime app and connect directly to your EV to charge.

If you have a compatible EV charger we’ll connect directly to your charger to charge.

You only need to sign up via one of these routes. Signing up for both could cause issues with crediting or charging.

If you have a compatible EV as well as EV charger, we recommend connecting via your EV as it’s often more reliable and a better experience.

Getting started with Charge Anytime

Getting started:

Activate smart charging and get the Charge Anytime rate by downloading the app. If you’re a Volvo owner you’ll likely access Charge Anytime through your Volvo Cars app.

You’ll need to:

Set a ‘ready-by-time’ using the clock dial on the main page
Plug your EV in and leave it to do its thing

After your first charge, please disconnect your EV. If it’s recorded as a smart charge in the charging history of the app, everything is working as it should be.

If you use the urgent charge feature, this overrides smart charging, so will be at your usual electricity rate.

How to tell if Charge Anytime is set up and working properly

EV connection:

Charge Anytime needs to be set up and working correctly. This means that your EV can smart charge and you can get the Charge Anytime credits.

To check that Charge Anytime is properly set up, first you need to:

Sign into the Charge Anytime app.
Connect your EV to the Charge Anytime app using your EV app login details.

Once you’ve made sure you’re set up, here’s how to check things are working correctly:

Check that Charge Anytime can locate your EV. Does it say that your EV is at home?
Is the Charge Anytime app saying there are interventions or additional steps required? If so, Charge Anytime won't work until you’ve done these.
When you plug your EV in, the app should recognise it.
Check the 'Last Updated' time in the top right corner of the app's main page. It needs to show the current time and have a green circle next to it. If it isn’t, that means we’re not receiving up-to-date telemetry/data from your EV.
If your EV needs charging, you can try a test charge. Set your desired amount of charge and ‘ready by’ time. The Charge Anytime app should say ‘planning your next charge’ and eventually ‘charging’. Charging might start and stop – this is normal. After your first charging session, unplug your EV. Has the charge been recorded in the savings section of the app? If not, there could be an issue.

EV charger connection:

Charge Anytime needs to be set up and working correctly. This means that your EV can smart charge and you can get the Charge Anytime credits.

To check that Charge Anytime is working, make sure you’ve followed these first steps:

Download your charger’s app, create an account and add your charger.
Download the Charge Anytime app and create an account.
Add your charger to the Charge Anytime app, by logging in with your charger account details.

Once you’ve made sure you’re set up, here’s how to check things are working correctly:

Plug your EV in, does the Charge Anytime app recognise your EV?
Check the 'Last Updated' time in the top right corner of the app's main page. It needs to show the current time and have a green circle next to it. If it isn’t, that means we’re not receiving up-to-date telemetry/data from your EV.
If your EV needs charging, you can try a test charge. Set your desired amount of charge and ‘ready by’ time. The Charge Anytime app should say ‘planning your next charge’ and eventually ‘charging’. Charging might start and stop – this is normal.
After your first charging session, unplug your EV. Has the charge been recorded in the savings section of the app? If not, there could be an issue.

How long it takes for Charge Anytime to start working

If you’re an existing OVO customer, you will be able to get Charge Anytime as soon as you download and activate the app.

If you’re switching to OVO and adding Charge Anytime to your plan, you’ll need to wait until your energy supply and online account is fully set up. The industry time frame for this is 4 to 6 weeks but it can be much quicker than that.

Once you’re all set up, head over to the Offers section in your online account and select Charge Anytime.

Switching to OVO and Charge Anytime

If you’re switching to OVO and would like to add Charge Anytime to your plan, you’ll need to wait until your energy supply and online account is fully set up. This is usually quick, but in some cases could take up to 4 to 6 weeks.

Once you’re all set up, head over to the Offers section in your online account and select Charge Anytime.