Octopus Energy has grown its electric vehicle (EV) roaming service to now have over 300,000 chargers globally.
The Electric Juice service, which has now been rebranded to Electric Universe, achieved this milestone having launched two years ago. It is now regarded as one of the world’s “largest” virtual EV charging networks, the company stated.
Octopus’ service aims to make charging EVs as simplistic as possible with drivers able to use an app and one card to access the entire network. With this extensive rollout of the virtual EV platform, over 450 charging networks have joined including IONITY, Osprey, Mer, Fastned, Char.gy and EVBox.
“For many, charging simplicity is the key to making the switch to an EV,” said Matt Davies, director of Octopus Energy’s Electric Universe.
“The technology we’re building with Electric Universe means that the greener and cheaper option will also be the easiest option – positively transforming the EV charging experience for people across the globe today and in the years to come.”
This milestone comes as Electric Universe launches new product features to drastically improve the EV charging experience, including an interactive map showing EV charge points and their availability across more than 50 countries.
The new feature aims to prevent “range anxiety”, alleviating fears of running out of power before finding a charger with hundreds more rapid chargers expected to come online in the coming year.
“Going from 0 to over 300,000 EV chargers in two years reflects our rocket-speed growth – and this is only the beginning for Electric Universe,” said Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy for Business.
“On the road to greater electrification of our society, drivers are increasingly choosing electric. Being able to charge an EV easily will underpin this shift. We’re moving full steam ahead to grow our EV roaming service even further globally to help accelerate the transition to a cheaper, greener energy future.”
Octopus Electric Vehicles launched a new package in July 2022 providing drivers in the UK and the US with a car, charger and energy tariff. This package includes the combined use of the Intelligent Octopus tariff and a free Ohme Home Pro charger.
According to Octopus, the tariff is the UK’s first 100% flexible charging tariff. It is available for all EV drivers with an Ohme Home Pro smart charger – not just those purchased as part of the new package.
Sales continue to soar for clean vehicles, with electric car sales in August having accounted for one in seven new cars registered, according to data from New Automotive.
New Automotive also revealed in August that the UK had achieved record sales for EVs with more electric cars having been bought so far in 2022 than over the entirety of 2020.
The EV market continues to grow with July having accounted for 11.1% of the market with 11,240 pure EVs registered. Throughout July, the number of diesel cars registered remained at historic low levels, accounting for just one in ten new cars bought. Meanwhile, the sale of petrol cars has still not recovered to the levels seen before the pandemic.
Current±’s publisher Solar Media is running the EV World Congress on 5 and 6 October at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Tower Bridge. To find out more and get your ticket, see here.
