[pjm807]

Apologies if this is teaching anyone to suck eggs, but for those with a Project EV and having some issues, I hope it helps.

For anyone who may be experiencing charging issues with Project EV and Intelligent Octopus, there is a potential work around (that works for me), which will enable Octopus to schedule the charge and prevent the charger reporting as “finished” after the first suspension of charging by the Octopus App.

Initial Charging Problems/Concerns before Work Around

Plugged car in and car would charge for 10-15 mins before Octopus App would create the charging schedule. Project EV charger would go into Suspended Mode. Octopus App wakes car and charging resumes, then tells car to stop charging for that part of the scheduled charge. The car then tells Project EV charger to stop charging. Charger then reports as “Finished”. This then prevents the car from charging in the other scheduled time periods determined by the Octopus App. Go to use car and only find it has had an increase of about 5% SOC.

The 10-15mins of charge whilst the app decides on a plan, is on peak rate and could cost anywhere between 30-45p extra charge compared to off peak rate.

Approximately every 30mins car randomly charges for about 2-3 minutes outside of the schedule created by Octopus App, this could also be at peak rate prices.

We have two EVs and required the second car to be set up for a scheduled charge during the off peak rates. This means settings have to be changed to ‘charge immediately’ when charging at public charger and then reset to ‘in time period’ when charging back at home.

Easy option would have been to register the main car on the Octopus App, complete the test charge and then disable the smart charging function. However, I am sceptical when it comes to energy firms, and firmly believe they will do all they can to find areas of non-compliance with their terms to put you back on a variable tariff.

The Work Around

This works for our household and our needs. 2 x BMW EVs, Project EV Charger. It means we remain compliant with Octopus Intelligent terms and also prevents any charging outside of the 6 hour off peak window, which may or may not be billed at peak rate prices. We are not too worried about the possible extra couple of hours of cheap rate that can be had during the day, as the random charges at peak rates almost certainly negate any gains.

Method

In Octopus App set the required SOC and ‘Ready By’ 0530hrs.

In Project EV App settings, set charger to ‘Plug&Charge’. Set ‘Allow Charging Time(plug&charge)’ to 23:30-05:30. Finally and most importantly, ensure ‘Warm-up function’ is turned on. (This will prevent charger reporting as finished).

Plug car in anytime. At 2330hrs charger will wake up and initiate the charge to the car, which then thinks it has just been plugged in at that time. Octopus App then creates the schedule to get the car to the required SOC by 0530hrs.

All charging done during ‘off peak’ rates. Can easily charge IX3 from 26% to 80% in that period. Which is more than enough for our usage.

Other car plug in anytime, charger will only charge during 2330hrs and 0530hrs, again all at off peak rates. No need for in-car scheduling, just set it to charge immediately. Can easily charge our i3 120ah from 5% to 100%.