Volkswagen Group UK is partnering with Octopus Energy to encourage customers to keep their carbon emissions low while reducing their electric vehicle running costs by switching their home electricity and gas supply to the green energy provider.
As part of its commitment to CO2-neutral vehicle manufacturing, Volkswagen Group UK will be offering free driving miles to customers who move to a 100% renewable dual fuel Octopus Energy tariff, when they purchase an electric vehicle. This will be presented in the form of a credit of £90 to their energy account – the equivalent to several thousand miles, depending on the model.
The offer will be launched across the Group’s Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, SEAT and ŠKODA brands in the coming months, complementing the recent launch of the Volkswagen ID.3, and its current and future electric stablemates. These include the Volkswagen ID.4, Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter 6.1, Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback, SEAT Mii Electric, CUPRA el-Born and ŠKODA ENYAQ iV – as Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicle range expands.
The latest model is the ground-breaking Volkswagen ID.3 – an all-new electric hatchback which demonstrates all the virtues of electric mobility such as enhanced interior space while maintaining a compact footprint, impressive agility, and acceleration akin to a more performance-oriented model, all while being certified as a carbon neutral product by TÜV NORD CERT. This CO2 neutrality will continue into the car’s life if the owner chooses to use renewable energy, such as that offered by Octopus.
As part of the collaboration between the two companies, Octopus and Volkswagen Group UK are even extending the offer to existing Octopus customers who buy a new Volkswagen Group electric vehicle.
The Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicle line-up will span up to 75 fully electric models by 2029, building upon the electric portfolio of each brand to provide zero-emissions mobility in every major segment.
Key to this commitment is the modular electric drive matrix (MEB), which allows multiple, diverse models to be built around the same common architecture. The MEB platform also allows scalable battery capacities thanks to the ‘chocolate bar’ design of the battery pack, meaning that multiple range potentials can be offered on each model, to suit different budgets and requirements. The economies of scale offered by the MEB platform allow affordable electric mobility across the entire Volkswagen Group.
Octopus Go is Octopus Energy’s revolutionary 100% green electricity tariff for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. It offers low-priced 5p/kWh electricity between 00.30 and 04:30 every night so that customers can charge their EV for less, while they sleep. Peak unit rate depends on the customer’s geographical location within the UK but as a guide is around 14p/kWh, with a standing charge of 25p.
Volkswagen Group UK Managing Director Alex Smith commented on the announcement of the partnership: “With the first Volkswagen ID.3 models being handed over to customers in the UK last weekend, I am delighted that we can complement this transformational move to e-mobility with the announcement of Octopus Energy as our Volkswagen Group green energy supplier. Electric vehicle customers of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, ŠKODA, SEAT and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles can take comfort in knowing that they are able to enjoy CO2-free motoring with Octopus Energy.”
Also commenting on the partnership, Greg Jackson, CEO and founder of Octopus Energy, said: “Transitioning the transport sector to green power is top of the agenda for Octopus, so we’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Volkswagen Group to bring green energy and EVs to more homes across the UK. Volkswagen’s commitment to electric vehicles is a huge step to decarbonising our roads and protecting our planet, and we hope that more vehicle manufacturers will follow in its footsteps.”
