- New roaming service means electric car drivers can access multiple charging networks with a single Octopus account
- Charging costs are automatically added onto one bill, whether charging at home or on the road
- The network launches with Char.gy to provide great inner-city coverage, with more partners joining shortly
Octopus Energy Group has announced the launch of its Electric Juice Network, which offers EV drivers a single way to pay for all their charging – whether charging at home, on the street, or on the highway.
Drivers will be able to pay with their Octopus account across multiple partner charging networks with all costs appearing on a single bill – a step to address the long-standing complaint from EV drivers that there’s no standardised way of paying as each network has a different card or app.
The Electric Juice Network launches with an established charging partner – Char.gy – whose lamppost charging stations mean drivers can plug in right next to where they live, and is great for those without a driveway at home.
Drivers will soon be able to roam across many more networks as Octopus continues to add new partners to the Electric Juice Network. The network scheme can be used by any electric car driver – whether they are already one of Octopus Energy’s 1.5 million customers or not – so that all drivers can benefit from a new and easier way to charge.
The concept of Electric Juice started last year with the aim of delivering time-of-use tariffs and smart analytics to charging companies across the UK. The product has proved highly popular, with Octopus now supplying a third of the market’s charge point networks. Electric Juice Network takes the next step and now enables charging companies to work with Octopus virtually and encourage further uptake of electric vehicles.
While the focus is currently on the UK, Octopus Energy’s international expansion, existing operations in Germany and the soon-to-follow Electric Juice app will quickly allow drivers across Europe to take advantage of the same service.
Greg Jackson, CEO and Founder of Octopus Energy, said:
“Electric Vehicle drivers have rightly long-complained that public charge points can be a real hassle, and it’s hard to keep track of costs, as every network runs on a unique app or card basis.
“Octopus’s Electric Juice Network doesn’t just consolidate charging costs, it adds them to your Octopus Energy bill if you’re an existing customer. For non-Octopus customers, you can still use the service to ensure you’re able to track (and pay) in one simple way.
“We’re delighted to launch the Electric Juice Network with Char.gy, as part of our combined mission to make EV charging as simple as possible”
Richard Stobart, CEO of Char.gy, said:
“Char.gy is delighted to be working with Octopus Energy to let our customers have one consolidated energy bill including their on-street charging. By working closely with Octopus Energy we were able to rapidly prototype the solution. We are looking forward to more collaboration in the future, to deliver more charge points and features that our customers will love.”
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For journalists in their professional capacity only. Issued by Octopus Energy Ltd. Registered office: 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT. Registered in England and Wales No. 09263424. Issued: May 2020.