Octopus establishes leading position in EV charging technology
One million drivers have signed up to Octopus Electroverse - meaning half of all fully electric cars on UK roads are plugged-into the app.
The news comes as one in three new cars in June was registered as fully electric, with the Electroverse allowing access to one of the biggest public charging network using a single app and card.
Drivers can use it to access 9 out of 10 public chargers across Europe, with the service also spreading to North America where more than 200,000 public charge points are currently available.
Image: Octopus Electroverse
In addition, the service offers plunge pricing, where discounted charging sessions can be undertaken when there is an excess of renewable electricity demand. It means green power that would otherwise go to waste is used up, easing pressure on the grid, and delivering driver savings.
Electroverse has so far run 84 of these cut-price sessions across the UK and France this year, delivering an up to a 50% discount.
Through Octopus Fleet, businesses can also take advantage, with the service enabling companies to manage public charging and home charging for their fleet through one simple platform.
Image: BE.EV
Matt Davies, Founder & Director of Octopus Electroverse, said:
“Reaching one million drivers is an incredible milestone and shows just how far electric driving has come.
“Not long ago, charging away from home could feel complicated. Today, hundreds of thousands of charging sessions happen through Electroverse every week, with drivers able to access chargers across the UK, Europe and the US through a single app.
“As more people switch to electric, our focus is making charging effortless and affordable. Whether that’s giving drivers access to almost every charger they’ll ever need, unlocking discounted charging, or helping businesses electrify their fleets, we’re removing the barriers so drivers can simply enjoy the journey.”
Image: BE.EV
Be.EV, the UK’s 2nd top-rated rapid and ultra-rapid charging network as voted for by drivers, with over 2,500 bays across the country and plenty more on the way, is a key player in the Octopus Electroverse network.
The company started in 2019 and is majority owned by Octopus Energy Generation, with the wider Octopus Energy group powering their network with deep green wind and solar energy.
The main benefit for Be.EV members joining the Octopus Electroverse is that it gives a single point of payment, allowing you to charge and pay at all member EV charging operators across the UK and EU.
There are additional benefits in being a Be.EV member, including an exclusive Be.EV charging rate at all Be.EV chargers, plus access to Be.EV member events.
Asif Ghafoor, CEO at Be.EV said:
“Getting recognised by the drivers who actually use our network, that’s the bit that really matters here. We're always listening to feedback from our customers and have made it our mission to make charging EVs simpler, fairer and more affordable.
Being named second and a Zapmap Driver Recommended Network after last year’s fourth place shows we’re making real progress, and we’ll keep building from here.”
Adrian Fielden-Gray. Image: BE.EV
Adrian Fielden-Gray, Chief Strategy Officer, added:
“We build well designed, ultra-rapid Charging Hubs in places that make sense. Where you live, shop, or grab your flat white. And, we listen to what drivers actually want: reliable chargers (99% reliability), big clean bays, fair pricing, an app that actually works and a team that listens. Every bit of feedback we get, good or bad, shapes what we build next.
In short, we’re here to charge cars, but more than that, we’re really here to help drivers love every electric journey”.
Options for charging EVs at home and other domestic energy technology designed to save money also feature on the Octopus new business agenda projecting savings of up to £400 per year.
Phil Steele Image: Octopus Energy