5 Cost-Saving Charging Tips for EV Owners

The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is well underway, and with the advent of advanced technology, owning an EV has become more affordable than ever before. As summer road trips beckon, taking advantage of cost-effective deals and offers on EV charging could prove to be a game-changer for many drivers. 

Financial website This Is Money recently highlighted five ingenious ways that EV owners can save money while charging their vehicles. One such method involves using the newly launched app by Gridserve, which owns 190 charging locations across forecourts and motorways in the UK. The app offers a generous discount of 20 percent off charging at any Gridserve location until October 1st—perfect timing for those looking to make savings during their summertime travels. 

Another significant development that benefits EV users is the recent reduction in Standard Variable Tariff rates brought down to 22.4p/kWh as of July 1st—the lowest it’s been in almost two years. Lower electricity costs translate directly into lower expenses when topping up your EV's battery at home—a huge benefit for those who have residential charging capabilities. 

For savvy owners who are able to schedule their car's charge during off-peak hours, they can reap even greater savings thanks to specific tariffs designed exclusively for electric vehicles. Energy giant EDF has introduced its new low-cost tariff called "EVolve Sept25". Although daytime rates remain standard variable, off-peak charges witness a drop by an impressive ten pence per unit consumed. 

This innovative deal allows drivers five weeks' worth of overnight off-peak charging between midnight and 5 am—an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to stretch their pound further without compromising on convenience or efficiency. 

In another exciting development aimed at reducing costs associated with powering up electric cars is Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus Go initiative which promises reductions as high as seventy percent on EV chargers’ running costs when combined with smart charger Ohme.  

Moreover, Octopus Energy has introduced a novel concept known as "plunge pricing" events. This means that when renewable energy supply is abundant—on days with high sunshine or wind, for instance—customers can charge their EVs at substantially lower costs. 

When green power availability outstrips demand, those using the Octopus Electroverse card or app stand to make significant savings on their charging expenditure—an exciting prospect for any environmentally conscious driver looking to minimize both carbon footprint and running costs. 

Matt Davies, CEO of Electroverse, hailed this development as a "massive milestone", stating: "For the first time drivers can power up and pay less on the public charging network when green energy's abundant." 

These five methods clearly illustrate how owning an electric vehicle no longer equates to exorbitant running costs. As more companies introduce innovative ways to reduce EV charging expenses while maximizing use of renewable energy sources, we may soon see even more drivers making the switch from traditional petrol or diesel cars—a positive step towards achieving global sustainability goals.