After months of hesitation, we finally tried Origin’s EV Power Up program, lured by the promise of EV charging at just 8 cents per kWh. Typically, we charge using our solar system, selling any excess back to the grid at 12 cents per kWh. On paper, the program seemed financially appealing, but our experience over five weeks has been mixed.
The program offers a very low EV charging rate and flexibility in setting charging deadlines, which can be overridden if needed. It’s particularly beneficial for those without solar panels or with low feed-in tariffs. However, its advantages are limited for those primarily charging from solar and it requires a Tesla EV for enrollment.
The program operates on a Time of Use tariff, with Origin managing the charging through the Tesla API when the car is at home. Users set the desired completion time in the Origin app, and charging is adjusted according to grid demand. The difference between the regular rate and 8 cents per kWh is credited at the end of each month.
Our real-world experience revealed some discrepancies. Although we charged 325.3 kWh last month, only 5.9 kWh came from the grid, yet Origin calculated 15.3 kWh of grid use, resulting in a $3.90 credit. This discrepancy, while in our favor, seemed odd.
Financially, if we had charged entirely from the grid at night, it would have cost us $26.02 for 325.3 kWh. Exporting the same amount of solar to the grid would have earned us $39.03, a $13.01 advantage. However, due to our system’s grid export limit, much of the extra solar would have been wasted anyway.
For us, the program serves as a useful backup, allowing us to charge at 8 cents per kWh if needed, though we primarily use solar power. Nevertheless, this program could be highly beneficial for Tesla owners without large solar systems, those not receiving high feed-in tariffs, or those who regularly need to charge from the grid.
In conclusion, while the Origin EV Power Up program offers flexibility and cost savings for some, it may not be the best fit for everyone. With several competitive EV charging plans available in Australia, drivers have more options to find a plan that suits their needs.
