Octopus Energy is set to expand its electric vehicle offering, with the company partnering with Elmtronics to offer EV chargers to its business customers.
The UK’s fifth largest energy supplier already offers a wealth of schemes aimed at businesses wishing to electrify their fleet. This includes electric vehicle leasing, smart tariffs for off-peak charging, the Electric Juice public charging network, and Electric Dreams – a salary sacrifice scheme for electric cars. However, those wishing to install an EV charger would have to seek a third-party, but not anymore.
Through a partnership with Elmtronics, Octopus Energy’s business customers will now be able to request the installation of a charger, with the hardware supply and install being fulfilled by Elmtronics. What’s more, businesses will also be able to include the maintenance of the charger and back office software as part of the contract.
There are some generous grants on offer for businesses looking to install an EV charger, and through the deal with Elmtronics, Octopus Energy customers can take advantage of these grants. In fact, SMEs can claim a grant of up to £850 per parking bay with maximum grants of up to £15,000 available.
It’s not all that surprising to see Octopus Energy partnering with Elmtronics to facilitate the roll-out of EV chargers, after all the two companies previously signed a partnership back in October 2020. That deal was part of the Electric Juice network, which allowed Octopus Energy customers to charge on Elmtronics’ Hubsta network.
Dan Martin, Elmtronics CEO, commented, “Fleets and businesses are increasingly looking to transition to electric vehicles, but the additional complexities of introducing charging can be daunting for some. The partnership between Octopus Energy and Elmtronics will make the process of switching to an electric fleet as simple and painless as possible for its customers will make a real difference to businesses across the UK.
“This is just the start of what we hope is our vision to provide a full solution to our business customers, bringing electric vehicle charging and renewable energy together as a full package.”
John Szymik, CEO of Octopus Energy Services, the arm of Octopus Energy Group responsible for charge point installations, added, “We’re excited to be working with like-minded Elmtronics to help more businesses in the UK switch to clean, electric cars. Octopus Energy is among the companies doing the most to push the electric car revolution in the UK, and being able to bring more infrastructure to businesses that want to electrify their fleet and go carbon neutral can only be a positive thing.
“Octopus Energy and Elmtronics will work together to keep making it easier for business customers to go electric, by offering charge point supply, install and aftercare all rolled up into one.”
The first Octopus Energy customer to have charge points supplied and installed by Elmtronics is the Wye Valley Brewery, a family-owned brewery based in Herefordshire, UK. Two dual charge points have been installed in the brewery’s customer car park for visitors’ use, and two in the staff parking area for employees. The company, an existing Octopus Energy for Business customer, is aiming to become carbon neutral and has taken delivery of their first fleet EVs as part of this drive.
