OVO Charge Anytime Review (2026)

OVO Energy takes a fundamentally different approach to EV charging compared to Octopus or EDF. Instead of a dedicated tariff with fixed off-peak hours, OVO offers Charge Anytime.

Charge Anytime is an "add-on" to your standard OVO energy tariff. It allows you to charge your car at a massively discounted rate (usually around 7p/kWh) at any time of day or night, provided you let OVO control the charging schedule.

Quick Summary: OVO Charge Anytime

Here are the key details for OVO Charge Anytime as of mid-2026:

• Provider: OVO Energy
• EV Charging Rate: ~7.00p / kWh
• Household Peak Rate: Standard variable rate (e.g., ~26.00p / kWh)
• Off-Peak Window: Anytime! (OVO smartly schedules the charge)
• Standing Charge: Standard variable rate

How "Charge Anytime" Actually Works

This is where OVO differs from the rest:

1. You pay your standard, normal rate (e.g., 26p/kWh) for everything your house uses, including the car charger.
2. You link your compatible car or charger to the OVO Charge Anytime app.
3. You tell the app you need the car charged by 8:00 AM.
4. OVO remotely turns your charger on and off throughout the day and night whenever wholesale energy is cheapest and greenest.
5. At the end of the month, OVO calculates how much energy went into your car, and credits your bill for the difference, effectively making the car charging cost only 7p/kWh.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• True "Anytime" Charging: If the grid is flooded with cheap solar power at 1:00 PM, OVO might charge your car for 7p/kWh right in the middle of the afternoon.
• Normal Household Rates: You aren't penalized with massive 33p+ daytime rates like you are on Octopus Go. Your house stays on a standard, reasonable tariff.

Cons:

• Strict Compatibility: This is the biggest hurdle. You must have a compatible EV (that OVO can talk to directly via API) OR a compatible smart charger (specifically Indra or Ohme).
• Confusing Bills: Because you are billed at the full rate and then credited back the difference, your monthly energy statements can be confusing to read and reconcile.
• No Cheap Household Energy: Unlike fixed-window tariffs, you cannot run your washing machine for 7p/kWh at 2 AM. The cheap rate only applies to the electricity going into the car.

Use Case Breakdown

Who should choose OVO Charge Anytime?

• Low Daytime Users: If you don't use much electricity overnight (no heat pump, no running washing machines at 2 AM), then a tariff that only discounts the car charging makes perfect sense.
• Shift Workers: If your car is plugged in during the day rather than overnight, OVO can take advantage of cheap midday solar energy to charge your car.
• Those with Compatible Hardware: If you already own an Ohme or Indra charger, OVO is a seamless fit.

How it Compares

| Feature | OVO Charge Anytime | Intelligent Octopus Go | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | EV Charging Rate | ~7.00p | ~7.00p | | Household Night Rate | Standard (~26p) | ~7.00p | | Household Day Rate | Standard (~26p) | ~33.72p | | Schedule Control | App-controlled | App-controlled |

The deciding factor is your home energy usage. If you can shift lots of household usage (laundry, dishwashers, water heating) to the middle of the night, Octopus is better. If you only care about cheap car charging and want normal daytime rates, OVO is better.

How to Switch

1. Check Compatibility: This is critical. Check the OVO website to ensure your specific car model or charger brand is supported.
2. Switch to OVO: You must move your home energy supply to an eligible OVO tariff.
3. Activate the Add-on: Once your supply is live and your smart meter is connected, you activate the Charge Anytime add-on in the OVO app.

Next Steps

If you need to install a compatible charger to use OVO, check our Install Cost Calculator for estimates. Or, see how OVO stacks up against other providers in our Rate Check comparison!