EV blogs and guides

How efficient are electric vehicles?

Energy efficiency is a ubiquitous term these days - and for good reason! Whether it’s your home or your car, the greater the efficiency the more effectively it works. But do you know how electric vehicle efficiency compares to fuel-burning cars? Or how EVs use energy (i.e. where does the energy go)?

Do I need to pay road tax on an electric vehicle?

When you get a new car there are lots of things to think about before getting it on the road: insurance, MOT, tax. The question is, is it different for EVs? Do you need to pay road tax on zero-emission vehicles?

Sign up (or in!) to Octopus Electroverse

Although signing up and signing in to the Electroverse are very similar processes, in this blog we have two step-by-step guides to make everything that bit easier!

Top tips for long road trips!

Introducing Mark, Matt, Maddy and James, who recently went on a 458 mile road trip from Wimbledon, London, all the way up to Scotland!  Here are their hot tips on long journeys in EVs.

EV News: UK's first Lithium refinery

Green Lithium is a company that has been working towards a greener production process for EVs and has officially been given the go ahead by the UK government to build the first ever UK Lithium refinery!

How to get over holiday blues (EV road trip edition)

Just got back from your summer road trip to Italy and feeling a bit blue? We understand, sometimes it’s hard to go back to reality after sipping cold drinks on warm sand.

To get you feeling tip-top again, here are some top tips on how to get over those holiday blues with the help of your EV.

Second-hand electric vehicle prices are dropping!

Until recently, the second-hand market for used electric vehicles was slim pickings. However, with over 624,000 fully electric vehicles sold in the UK since 2018, supply is finally catching up with demand, and prices are dropping - great news for anyone looking to buy a second-hand EV.

Octopus Electroverse features you should know (part 3)

Good things come in threes, and we have more funky features for you! In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at some of the new features in the Electroverse app to make your EV charging experience that bit simpler.

The EV Toolkit (Guide Before You Buy)

The age of the electric vehicle is finally here! With more and more EVs on the road, it's a great time to think about making the switch. Electric vehicles - and the EV vocabulary - can seem a bit technical at first glance. So with that in mind, we've assembled a one-stop guide to EV essentials.

Your most frequently asked questions, answered!

Are you out and about and need a question answered quickly? Check out our most frequently asked questions below to find your answer. Our complete list of FAQs can be accessed on the Electroverse website at any time.

Bi-directional charging

Bi-directional charging is just one of the many new technological developments in the EV world that will encourage a sustainable lifestyle. EVs and their batteries are beginning to offer more than zero-emission travel; creating new ways to utilise renewable energy more efficiently!

How to use an Octopus Electrocard

Whether you've just received your Octopus Electrocard or still need to order one, we want to make sure that you know how to use it.

Our below video tutorial will take you through the basic steps, and show you how simple using an Electrocard is when starting a charge.

How to use an untethered EV charger

Not every EV driver has a home chargepoint - many EV drivers rely on the public charging network to keep them topped up and on the go, with untethered chargers located on residential streets essentially becoming their home chargepoints. But how do you use untethered chargers?

What to do if an EV charge point is broken or out of order?

Sometimes things just don’t go as planned; technology isn’t flawless and EV charging is no different. So, what do you do when a charge point is broken or isn't working?

Local electric taxis

If city life is the one for you and that means you’re not ready for an EV yet, you can still contribute to saving our planet!  We have found a way to make your day-to-day that much greener.
Below is a list of taxi companies who are working on reducing CO2 emissions in their cities.

Surrey to Normandy (1,000-mile EV road trip)

In this edition of EV Driving Stories, we have Steve Scott telling us about his trip from Surrey, all the way to Cricqueville en Auge, Normandy.

Norwich to Stratford, London (240-mile EV road trip)

Another Community member has shared their journey with us at Octopus Electroverse, helping combat the common misconception about EVs and their inconvenience on long journeys. Up next in our EV Driving Stories series we have Nicolas Rhatigan, telling us about his trip from his home in south Norwich 

Can EV batteries be recycled?

To celebrate Global Recycling Day 2023, this blog is going to explore the recycling process of the EV’s powerhouse, the lithium-ion battery, and what new processes we can expect to see developed in the coming years.

What is a charging curve?

Every EV has a charging curve, and this represents the fluctuation in speed during a charging session. You may have noticed during charging sessions that an EV will charge notably faster when the battery percentage is between 20 - 80% - outside of this range the charging speeds decrease. Why?

Lancashire to Hampshire (249-mile EV road trip)

How to use the Octopus Electroverse car apps

We’ve launched Octopus Electroverse on Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Android Automotive OS - three different ways to access the Electroverse network straight from your EV. Call it thorough, but we love creating new features that will help the EV community find their next charge that bit easier.

How to rent an EV

Ever wanted to rent an electric vehicle for a long weekend, or maybe longer?
It could be that you’re trying to make up your mind about a specific model, or maybe you want to drive an EV for the first time. Fortunately, there are now rental companies that specialise in electric cars!

Electric Power: Women in EVs

This International Women’s Day (8th March 2023), Octopus Electroverse is highlighting some of the remarkable women involved in the EV world and their impressive accomplishments. To celebrate, we have compiled a short list of such women.

What is Plug & Charge?

Plug & Charge is the next generation of EV charging, but what does this actually mean? Which EVs are compatible? And how can you get set up with Plug & Charge on Octopus Electroverse?

Which charging networks offer rapid and ultra-rapid charging speeds?

EV charging speeds have developed over the years to be faster and faster. This means that on the public charging network, EV drivers can choose to charge from varying rates of power (kW) for different prices. Rapid and ultra-rapid charging are the speediest of these rates - but what does this mean?

Octopus Electroverse 2022 Wrapped

2022 has been a huge year for the Electroverse - from new features to new partners - let’s take a peek at some of our favourite electric moments…

Electroverse features you should know (part 2)

We’re back with another run-down of Electroverse features you should be using to make your public EV charging experience as easy as possible.

Top tips for using the public charging network

With over 52,000 public EV chargers in the UK, it’s no surprise that some EV drivers find the public charging network confusing. That’s why Octopus Electroverse has created the top tips for using the public charging network!

Which UK Christmas Markets Have EV Charging Stations?

The festive season is upon us! While Christmas day itself is still over a month away; exploring a Christmas market while your EV charges nearby should be at the top of your list! The below chargers are compatible with Electroverse and can be activated by either using your Electrocard or app!

What affects your EV charging speed?

When it comes to EV adoption, a lot has been said about the UK National Grid. But with over 593,000 electric vehicles already in the UK, how - if at all - does the grid affect current charging speeds? And what are the other factors that can lessen the kW from a charge point?

How can I get an electric car through salary sacrifice?

The growth of the electric car market is booming, but many people are still concerned about the costs associated with buying a new EV outright. The great news is that there are cheaper and easier ways to drive electric by opting for a salary sacrifice scheme. Learn more about our scheme here.

How does cold weather affect EV battery capacity?

During the colder winter months, EV battery capacity can decrease by 10 - 15% - why? This blog explores how different temperatures affect EV batteries and offers helpful suggestions to extend the EV battery range during the colder months.

The History of the Electric Vehicle (...and what's to come!)

Did you know that electric vehicles have been around for over a century? From the first EV in 1887 to the current 17 million EVs sold worldwide, how - and why - has EV technology changed and developed over the past 135 years? And what’s next?

kW v kWh – what's the difference?

Despite kW and kWh appearing on every charge point, map and app - what do they mean and what’s the difference?

How to charge your car... from your phone!

Whether it’s a tricky charge point interface that you can’t figure out, or if you just don’t want to spend a second longer in the rain, starting a charge from your phone is a great way to avoid unnecessary trouble. Fortunately, Octopus Electroverse has just made this a reality with in-app charging.

Top UK Attractions with EV Charging Stations

While most UK destinations have electric charging stations nearby, it’s always handy to have them on-site, so you can charge whilst enjoying yourself. That’s why we’ve compiled the below list of EV-friendly UK destinations!

How to order an Electrocard (& what to expect once you have!)

Whether you’ve read the EV community raving about them on social media, or have seen other EV drivers using them at charging stations, it’s time for you to get your own Electrocard!

How to use the Octopus Electroverse app

Whether you're a tech whizz or can't tell whether it's swipe right or left, every app is different, so we've created this step-by-step guide to help explain how best to use the Electroverse app and which features do what. 

EV Road Trip Checklist

Whether going on a holiday or just a long drive, taking an EV road trip has not been simpler - with hundreds of thousands of chargers on the Electroverse network, we've created an EV road trip checklist to help you plan your journey.

Octopus Electroverse Features You Should Know

Octopus Electroverse is here to make your EV driving experience as slick as possible, and to do that our robot octopuses have created some handy features that you should know about...

EV Life Hacks

Whether you've been driving an electric vehicle for ten weeks or ten years, you've learnt some golden tips and tricks for getting the most out of your drive - from which percentage is best to unplug, to naming your favourite rapid charging service station - and we want you to share!

The definitive EV dictionary

With so many acronyms in the EV language, it’s no wonder that many people are left feeling confused. But, don’t worry, you'll soon be listing off acronyms in alphabetical order, as we’ve collected the worst offenders and deciphered their meaning.

EV Charging Station Etiquette

It's time to learn the golden rules of EV charging station etiquette! In this blog, we're going to take you through the essential do's and don'ts that every EV driver should know. Master these rules and become the most popular person at the charging station.

Common EV Misconceptions

Modern EVs rival any petrol or diesel car - from faster acceleration to cheaper running costs - but because EV technology has progressed so quickly, its recent history causes common misconceptions. Misconceptions we are here to BUST!

EV Connectors and Speeds

Different EVs use different connectors which supply different amounts of power. And while it's your job to know which connectors are compatible with your EV, it's our job to explain what these connectors do.

Why EVs are worth the switch

So, you're thinking of getting a new car but aren’t convinced how driving electric will benefit you, or how easy it will be to make the switch. Well, think again.

The Life of an EV Battery

When we say ‘EV battery’, what's the first question that comes to mind? How much charge can it hold? The lifecycle of an EV battery is a fascinating story and one that takes place from around the globe...

How do EVs work?

Electric vehicles are highly advanced pieces of tech, and the battery to power such tech is equally exciting. But how does it actually work? This blog will take you under the skin of an EV and explain the what, the how, and the why of electric driving.