What Ev Chargers Do Octopus Install (2026)

Spec and compatibility table

These are self-supplied Level 2 chargers you could put in front of an electrician as an alternative to a supplier-fitted unit. All figures are drawn straight from each product's listing; "Not stated" means the spec wasn't given.

What EV Chargers Does Octopus Install? A Straight Answer and What to Check

Quick answer: Octopus Energy runs a smart-charger installation service, but the exact make and model they fit isn't fixed — it depends on their current hardware partners at the time you book, plus your home's wiring and which tariff you're on. Because that lineup changes, the only reliable way to know today's models is to get a quote directly from Octopus and read the spec sheet they send you. This guide walks you through confirming what they'd install, what commonly goes wrong, and how a self-supplied charger stacks up if you'd rather source your own.

Before you assume — how Octopus's install actually works

Octopus (like most energy-supplier install schemes) fits a smart Level 2 charger that can talk to their app and schedule charging around cheap off-peak windows. The catch is that "which charger" is a moving target. Treat the question as something to pin down, not something with a permanent answer.

Finding the right what ev chargers do octopus install comes down to matching the features to how you will actually use it.

Work through this in order:

• Get a quote with your car and postcode. Gotcha: the model offered can differ by region and by whether your car needs a tethered (attached cable) or untethered (socket-only) unit. Don't rely on a forum post from last year.
• Ask for the exact make, model, and connector type in writing. Gotcha: a "smart charger" label tells you nothing about the amperage or cable length. Get the spec sheet.
• Confirm tariff lock-in. Gotcha: supplier-installed chargers are often tuned to that supplier's smart tariff. If you switch energy providers later, some smart features may stop working. Ask what happens if you leave.
• Check the electrical survey requirements. Gotcha: a supplier install still needs a compliant consumer unit, earthing arrangement, and sometimes a load-management device. If your board is old, expect an add-on cost.
• Compare the fitted price against buy-your-own-plus-electrician. Gotcha: bundled installs look tidy, but you may pay a premium for hardware you didn't choose. Price both routes before you sign.

What goes wrong (symptom fix)

• "They quoted me but never named the charger." Symptom: you're being asked to commit to an install with a generic "smart charger" line item. Fix: refuse to book until you have the model number and connector type in writing, then look that model up yourself.
• "The cable won't reach my car's port." Symptom: charger is mounted but the tethered lead falls short on your driveway. Fix: measure the distance from the proposed mounting spot to the charge port on the side your car uses, and match it to the cable length on the spec sheet before install day.
• "Charging is slow even though it's a Level 2 unit." Symptom: you're adding fewer miles per hour than expected. Fix: check the amperage the unit is set to versus its maximum — many chargers are dialled down to protect an undersized circuit. Your electrician sets this, not the box.
• "Smart scheduling stopped after I switched suppliers." Symptom: off-peak charging no longer triggers automatically. Fix: confirm before install whether the smart features are supplier-locked, and pick hardware with its own standalone app if independence matters to you.
• "It trips the breaker outdoors in the rain." Symptom: nuisance trips or shutdowns in bad weather. Fix: verify the unit's weatherproof rating suits an exposed wall, and have the earthing/RCD arrangement checked — outdoor faults are usually installation, not the box itself.

Note the connector: every unit here uses the J1772 standard. Confirm that matches your vehicle and region before buying — if your car uses a different plug, you'll need the correct adapter or a different unit.

When the fix is a new one

If the supplier route feels locked-down and you'd rather own the hardware outright, here's what a few of these change for the task:

• The Autel MaxiCharger 40A plug-in is built around a NEMA 14-50 outlet, so if you already have that outlet the listing describes a roughly 5-minute plug-in setup and lets you take the unit with you if you move — useful when you don't want to be tied to one property or one supplier. Its app also lets you adjust power from 16A to 40A.
• The eTimxon Portable L1 & L2 changes the equation entirely: at $129.59 it's a portable backup that runs Level 1 from a standard outlet (120V, 13A set manually) or Level 2 from a NEMA 6-20 (240V, 16A, 3.84kW). It won't match a hardwired 50A unit for speed, but it travels and needs no fixed install.
• The Autel MaxiCharger 50A GEN 2 is a hardwired unit with a 6–50A range and, per its listing, a 10-year design lifespan — the option if you want a permanent, fast wall box on its own standalone app rather than a supplier-managed one.

FAQ

Does Octopus install the charger themselves or use a contractor? Octopus's install service is delivered through their own arranged engineers, but the specific charger model and any electrical upgrades are quoted per home. Get the details in writing when you request a quote.

Can I use my own charger and just ask Octopus to fit it? That depends on their current policy and whether your chosen unit is on their supported list. Ask directly — a self-supplied unit like the Autel 50A hardwired may still need an independent electrician if it isn't on their roster.

How fast will a Level 2 charger actually charge? It scales with amperage. A 50A unit such as the Autel MaxiCharger is listed at up to 12kW / 37 miles per charging hour, while a portable 16A unit like the eTimxon delivers 3.84kW. Your real speed is capped by whichever is lower: the charger, your circuit, or the car's onboard charger.

Will supplier-installed smart features keep working if I switch energy providers? Not always — some smart-tariff integrations are tied to the installing supplier. If you value independence, favour hardware with its own manufacturer app, and ask Octopus what happens to scheduling if you leave.

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