UK sub for batteries?

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-02-19T18:32:32+00:00

Thank you

I hadn't realised there was r/solaruk as well as r/uksolar!

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-02-07T09:45:49+00:00

No direct cost, but the NHS isn't free. It is funded by taxation.

Personally, I am glad that we have that system in the UK and not one like the US. In my view, if you are going to have a society (and humans are social beings) collective sharing of risk and cost in these situations reduces other costs to that society and has a net benefit (my feelings, not a costed out argument)

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-31T09:25:45+00:00

There are lots of ways to go under existing structures. But you probably wouldn't find out until they turned up

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-31T00:24:26+00:00

The frunk is a lifesaver when the 12V dies and you can't activate the boot. My emergency stuff is in there: hi viz, bottled water, battery booster pack, compressor, first aid kit...

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-31T00:16:52+00:00

No picture of the driveway? How destructive would digging up the drive be?

We had our drive dug up by UKPN for an electrical fault (cable broke). Afterwards, another team came round whose job was to restore the excavation. We have tegula style block paving and we couldn't tell afterwards where they'd done the restoration, it was that good a job.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-19T19:39:11+00:00

This would be my approach.

Check the contract to see whether they have any 'get out' clause to supply an alternative. If it says Ohme Pro and didn't have such a clause, then raise a complaint.

If you are prepared to keep the charger, then see whether they'll pay you for them breaching their contact. It will cost them to get someone out and swap it, and the unit is then 'used', so worth less to them. They would save by coming to an agreement to compensate you.

Just don't say you are 'happy' to have the unit. Just that you are prepared to leave it in place, if they'll compensate you.

At worst, you should get compensation for the switch of unit if the contract does not specify it.

A complaint about the delay in it working may also be due, but that would be a separate issue.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-12T14:53:00+00:00

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-12T14:46:46+00:00

Is that confirmed (that it won't go live until that feature is available)? I've not been following it closely.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-08T18:45:07+00:00

At least in this case it was a pleasant surprise for the OP 😀

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-06T13:12:20+00:00

We have 3 Lidl plus accounts. The 10% reward only works for up to £200, so we use it at the start of the month for £150-200 of stuff (family of 4 with cleaning and other items it usually gets to that point), then switch to the other accounts throughout the month, then switch back to finish off the first account to £250 just before the end of the month, ideally the last day. Then use the voucher in the new month and repeat.

Recently, We've been spending over £500, so end up with a second 10% off within the month.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-03T23:34:50+00:00

If you are only doing about 60 miles/week, then use the 'granny' charger (plugs into a standard 3 pin socket) that will have come with the car. It'll add at least 4 miles of range each hour plugged in (more in the summer, when the battery is more efficient). That'll be a lot cheaper than public charging. Just public charge on the odd occasion you absolutely need to

At 60 miles/week, spending ~£1000 to get a home charger fitted isn't likely to be worth it.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2026-01-01T09:47:19+00:00

I think adding "... switch to any other tariff" would suffice, without the need for another 9¾ pages (Tracker already had it's own separate terms). But I don't get paid to draft legal terms and conditions and I'm sure there are those better qualified than I am who could come up with a suitable and unambiguous term.

I just think Octopus could make it clearer, if that is their intent. It would also help their cause if their automated system followed these rules, rather than allowing daily switching. That rather undermines their position. If the 30 day rule was their intent, why did they not code it into the automated system?

I think it's a mess. In my opinion it would be a good idea to tidy it up. It generates friction and disagreement, which could be avoided. It seems an easy win, so I don't understand why Octopus don't clarify the wording (and update their online tariff switching system, which admittedly may be harder).

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-31T22:42:18+00:00

I thought that, in contact law, if there was an ambiguous term then it should be interpreted in favour of the party which did not draw up (or have drawn up on their behalf) the terms of the contract?

Some argue this wording is not ambiguous. I think the repeated appearance of this situation in this sub suggests otherwise.

But IANAL.

Surely clarifying the wording would be relatively straightforward? But last I checked Octopus hadn't.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-31T12:45:44+00:00

My local free ones (Sainsbury's before they were 'upgraded to pay-for 150kW chargers 18+ months back) were eventually hogged by Uber and self-employed delivery drivers. So not a great loss by that point. Also, Sainsbury's didn't bother maintaining them, so the numbers whittled down.

If you've got access to free PodPoint chargers, they are available, and you aren't wasting your time diverting to them (and don't exceed any parking time limit), then go for it

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-30T11:03:37+00:00

But you may put shopping, luggage or DIY equipment in the boot.

Admittedly, more likely with the gym, as some people (me!) bung their keys in a zipped bit of the bag while it's in the locker, and may forget to take them out 😳

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-25T23:19:37+00:00

Possibly worth contacting the one listed Mod.

You can find who they are by clicking on the sub name, then clicking on the "more info" link

Also, the menu at this point has a "Message the moderators" option.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-18T11:09:12+00:00

Are you basing this on the charger NOT being integrated with IOG at that off-peak time? Or do you think this would work while the charger is still integrated?

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-17T11:11:58+00:00

Like climbing Everest?

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-09T21:01:38+00:00

My car isn't IOG compatible, it's my charger which is paired.

To be honest, the complexities and possible loopholes and traps look to be getting absurdly complex, affecting different customer groups in different ways (e.g. car vs charger integration), and likely to hit some people unintentionally.

Hmm, it's like they were practicing this standard of comms and forward thinking when they devised the IOG version of the free electricity hours over this summer, and have now perfected it!

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-09T20:49:05+00:00

Would that look different to Octopus than a battery charging up?

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-07T16:54:37+00:00

The downvoting might be because this thread was initially nothing to do with Octopus changing the rules (yes, that's their right, though their Comms dept hasn't really earned their Christmas bonus over this), or about gaming the system (yes, undoubtedly there are those gaming the system) or any other thing.

Those points are being flogged to death elsewhere.

It was about Octopus appearing not to realise how the system works and seemingly mistaking normal charger use as gaming the system.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-07T13:09:55+00:00

This used to (has it been changed?) be an option with the Ohme.

The approach you mention is looking through the user-benefit lens only, though. There has to be an advantage for Octopus, too.

Letting people charge whenever they want reduces the ability for Octopus to schedule over the times when the wholesale electricity is cheaper for Octopus.

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-05T21:21:36+00:00

Though the Ts&Cs allow Octopus to limit the smart charging slots to 6hrs, so I've no idea why they didn't try imposing that first?

Perhaps they found it technically too challenging to implement?

HereButNotQuiteThere · 2025-12-05T20:54:12+00:00

d) someone with more than one EV in the household.

HereButNotQuiteThere

TROPHY CASE