Andy’s journey to a cleaner planet with his Octopus EV

Andy: I’ve had a BMW ix50 for about 15 months. I beloved it as quickly as I noticed it. I knew I needed an electrical automotive as a result of I’ve at all times been involved about our family’s carbon footprint, and I consider the planet wants folks to make small adjustments. Petrol and diesel costs are skyrocketing, and it is changing into unsustainable. So, when Octopus launched the wage sacrifice scheme, it appeared like a chance to attempt an electrical car with out vital monetary danger.

I do know there are many good smaller electrical vehicles however we have now a giant household of 5 and a pair of german shepherds, so we would have liked a bigger automotive with the vary and area to accommodate our household.

Andy: As soon as I made a decision to get an EV, I visited just a few dealerships to check drive and discover my choices. As an Octopus Power buyer already, it made sense to go along with them as I knew the customer support and communication could be glorious. The wage sacrifice scheme made it inexpensive, and so they even put in the charging level at my dwelling totally free.

Andy: I do not observe it exactly, nevertheless it’s considerably cheaper. Charging the automotive in a single day prices me just a few kilos every week, whereas filling a petroleum automotive would value me round £100 to £150 per week! My mileage is round 15,000, so you possibly can think about the prices added up. Whereas, charging my automotive hasn’t actually made a distinction to my invoice.

Andy: We began with the usual Octopus Go tariff, which offered 4 hours of cheaper electrical energy in a single day. When the chance arose, I switched to the Clever Octopus Go tariff, which provided much more inexpensive charges, for six hours every night time. I take advantage of my automotive’s charging schedule to reap the benefits of the decrease charges, because it routinely expenses when its least expensive. Total, it has been a easy and cost-effective transition.

All I do is plug my automotive in 2 or 3 evenings every week, and the tariff routinely manages all the pieces else. I’ve additionally signed up for climate notifications so I do know what pockets of the day to reap the benefits of low-cost extra electrical energy era.

Andy: Nicely for starters, it is a quiet and peaceable drive. Though, the prices are the most important distinction as I am saving a lot. While we do plan forward somewhat extra for longer street journeys, to ensure there are chargers alongside the best way, it is principally a simple and seamless course of.

Andy: Sure, fairly just a few! We have taken some lengthy street journeys, like driving from North London to Cardiff for a weekend. You will discover public charging stations throughout the UK and past, so it’s very doable. And because the infrastructure expands, that’ll get even simpler.

Sure, I’ve photo voltaic panels at my home, and I attempt to at all times be environmentally acutely aware. Sustainability is one thing I actually worth at work, and in my day after day life. I’m additionally contemplating exploring different inexperienced applied sciences, like warmth pumps. I want we had extra inexperienced power initiatives accessible prior to now, nevertheless it’s by no means too late to make adjustments.

Andy: I believe it’s a no brainer. I admire the comfort it brings, and it aligns with my efforts to cut back my carbon footprint. I believe it’s a actually worthwhile funding in the environment. I’d do it another time!