In a significant stride towards making electric vehicle (EV) charging more accessible and affordable for UK households, Octopus Energy has launched its first home EV charger, aptly named Octopus Charge. Officially unveiled on June 19, 2025, this sleek and smart charger is designed to integrate seamlessly with Octopus Energy’s innovative tariffs and technology platforms, promising to revolutionize how EV owners power their vehicles at home.
Octopus Charge is not just any EV charger. It is built to work hand-in-hand with the company’s Intelligent Octopus Go tariff, enabling customers to charge their electric vehicles for as little as 2p per mile. This is a remarkable offer considering the high costs often associated with public charging stations. In fact, studies have consistently shown that charging at home can be hundreds or even thousands of pounds cheaper annually compared to public charge points. Data from Cornwall Insight reveals that public charging can cost as much as £1,500 more per year than using an off-peak home charging tariff, underscoring the financial advantage of home charging solutions like Octopus Charge.
Moreover, Octopus Energy has introduced the Drive Pack tariff alongside the charger, which offers unlimited EV charging for a flat fee of just £30 per month. This combination of low per-mile charging costs and an unlimited monthly plan provides a flexible and economical solution for a wide range of EV drivers, whether they are occasional users or daily commuters.
To sweeten the deal, the first 100 customers to adopt Octopus Charge will receive a generous bonus of 5,000 free miles of driving. This amount of mileage is enough to cover a round trip from Land’s End to John o’ Groats and back again, with miles to spare. It’s a compelling incentive that highlights Octopus Energy’s commitment to encouraging EV adoption and supporting their customers’ transition to greener transportation.
The Octopus Charge device itself boasts a sleek and slim design, featuring built-in 4G connectivity and a custom-designed charging cable holster. This thoughtful engineering allows it to fit easily into tight spaces such as driveways, garages, or even on-street parking spots, addressing a common challenge for urban EV owners who often face limited space for home charger installations.
One of the standout features of Octopus Charge is its integration with Octopus Energy’s Kraken technology platform and mobile app. This smart system enables automatic charging during periods when electricity is both cheapest and most environmentally friendly. Customers simply set their preferred charging time and amount, and the technology takes care of the rest, optimizing energy use without any hassle. Additionally, for those with home solar panels, Octopus Charge can utilize any surplus solar electricity to power EVs, turning free, home-grown energy into miles on the road and further reducing carbon footprints.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “Charging at home is already better than queueing up at the petrol station – and now we’ve made it even simpler.” She emphasized the company’s pioneering role in the energy sector, noting, “Octopus Energy was the first energy company to launch a smart tariff, an EV tariff, an export tariff, and our very own heat pump. We’re delighted to add Octopus Charge to our stable, initially designed to work seamlessly with Intelligent Octopus Go, and with other features to follow shortly.”
The launch of Octopus Charge also aligns with broader policy shifts in the UK aimed at accelerating the EV transition. Previously, installing an EV charger at home often required a planning application, which posed a financial and logistical barrier for many. However, the UK government recently announced that planning consent will no longer be necessary for home or business EV charger installations. The Department for Transport (DfT) estimates this policy change could save prospective EV charger owners an average of £1,100, making home charging more accessible and affordable than ever before.
Despite the clear benefits of home charging, a significant challenge remains: around 75% of UK homes lack access to a driveway or private parking space, forcing many EV owners to rely on public charging infrastructure, which is costlier and often less convenient. According to a report by Cornwall Insight published in June 2025, approximately 80% of EV drivers benefit from home charging, highlighting the disparity and underscoring the importance of expanding accessible home charging solutions like Octopus Charge.
Initially, Octopus Charge will be available exclusively to customers of Octopus Electric Vehicles, the company’s EV leasing business. This phased rollout allows Octopus Energy to refine the product and user experience before making it available to all its customers in August 2025. Interested individuals can register their interest through the Octopus Energy website to be among the first to access this innovative charger.
Octopus Energy’s commitment to smart home energy solutions extends beyond EV charging. The company previously launched the Cosy 6 heat pump system in September 2023, designed to reduce consumer costs and accelerate heat pump adoption. This was complemented by the introduction of the Cosy Octopus heat pump tariff in June 2024. These initiatives demonstrate Octopus Energy’s broader strategy to lead in low-carbon home technologies, integrating energy generation, storage, and consumption to maximize efficiency and sustainability.
In addition to launching Octopus Charge, Octopus Energy recently revived its Saving Sessions program, which incentivizes customers to reduce electricity consumption during peak demand periods. Through this scheme, customers can earn rewards and even access free electricity during specific one-hour slots, usually in the early afternoon. This initiative further illustrates Octopus Energy’s innovative approach to managing energy demand and supporting a greener grid.
As the UK continues its push towards decarbonization and the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, the introduction of Octopus Charge represents a crucial piece of the puzzle. By providing an affordable, smart, and user-friendly home charging option, Octopus Energy is helping to break down barriers that have traditionally hindered EV uptake, particularly the cost and convenience of charging at home.
With the combination of smart technology, competitive tariffs, and government policy support, the future of home EV charging in the UK looks brighter and more accessible. Octopus Charge not only offers drivers a cost-effective way to keep their vehicles powered but also aligns with broader environmental goals by encouraging the use of green electricity and solar power. As more households embrace electric vehicles, innovations like Octopus Charge will be key to ensuring that the transition to clean transport is as smooth and affordable as possible.
