Octopus Energy and NatWest Group have launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging bundle which will allow the bank’s customers to purchase chargers at discounted rates.
The joint offering, which the companies claim is the first of its kind, includes the entire stack of infrastructure, technology and software needed to switch to EVs as well as a comprehensive assessment of each customer’s needs.
NatWest will offer a range of funding options for businesses to help finance the infrastructure and technology while Octopus will provide the delivery and installation of EV chargepoints, smart meters and new grid connections where current capacity is insufficient.
The bundle also includes access to Octopus’ Electric Juice billing network, which allows customers to use public chargepoints run by various operators and have the costs appear on their bill, as well as solar panels and battery storage to enable customers to charge using their own generation.
Octopus will additionally manage the process required to take advantage of the available government grants.
James Close, head of climate change at NatWest Group, said: “By working with Octopus Energy, we are offering a bundled solution to help people and businesses go green. We are determined to play an active role in the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy and accelerating the take up of electric vehicles is a crucial part of the transition.
“This access to EV charging technology will make it easier and more affordable for our customers to make a positive difference to our environment.”
Greg Jackson, chief executive and founder of Octopus Energy, said: “Transport accounts for a third of the UK’s carbon emissions, making it the country’s largest emitting sector and in desperate need of transformation if we are to reach net zero.
“Octopus Energy is so excited that NatWest has committed to promoting sustainable practices and will be joining us on this mission to green our roads. If more people and businesses realised the bonkers savings they could get and switched to an EV, the benefits it would have on our planet would be massive.”