A Leg Up For EVs
Octopus and BYD team up for new era of EV leasing and charging
Octopus Energy and Chinese EV giant BYD have unveiled the UK’s first Power Pack Bundle.
This is a complete vehicle-to-grid (V2G) solution – a lease of a V2G-capable BYD Dolphin EV, a Zaptec Pro bidirectional charger, and access to Octopus’s Kraken smart tariff system.
It’s all about providing cheaper EV charging in return for returning energy to the grid when not being used.
A new deal
Priced under at £300 per month, the package promises free home charging for users who plug in at least 20 times monthly for 12 hours each session, enabling vehicle batteries to feed power back into the grid.
Such a requirement ensures reliable grid contribution and frees users from home‑charging bills.
Octopus projects an annual savings of £620 compared to standard EV tariffs and up to £1,000 versus petrol car running costs.
“We’re thrilled to officially launch our V2G project with Octopus Energy and Kraken,” said Stella Li, executive vice president at BYD.
“BYD is fully committed to making intelligent, innovative, sustainable technologies available to our customers, and this project will allow them to unlock the full potential of electric vehicles – not just as transport but as dynamic assets that can play a key role in supporting the grid.”
V2G transforms EVs into ‘batteries on wheels’, allowing them to charge when electricity is cheap and send it back to the grid at peak times when electricity is expensive, reducing the grid’s reliance on fossil fuel plants, without hampering the user experience of the customer.
Switching on
Drivers simply plug in overnight and the fully automated process guarantees free charging at home for every mile driven during the lease.
Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy Group, believes that bi-directional charging is a game-changer for drivers and the grid alike.
“By using some of the battery’s spare capacity to help balance the grid, we can offer free driving,” he said.
“V2G is going to revolutionise our energy system and help drive costs down.”
Vehicle-to-grid technology turns EVs into dynamic energy storage and supply assets – a battery you drive around.
They charge during off-peak hours and dispatch energy during peak demand, helping balance fluctuating renewables like wind and solar.
V2G technology is built into the car itself, eliminating the need for a costly first-generation V2G charger. BYD and Octopus predict that, as more V2G-ready vehicles hit the road, hundreds of thousands of EVs could soon act as mini power stations.
Experts believe that if just 30% of EVs participate, they could match grid storage needs by 2030.
Key benefits
Cost savings: Motorists can “arbitrage” electricity—charging low, selling high, or using low‑price off‑peak energy to power homes.
Grid stability: V2G supports peak shaving and frequency balancing, reducing reliance on polluting peaker plants.
Environmental impact: Reduces carbon footprint by making renewables more reliable.
Emergency backup: EVs can power homes during outages—vital in extreme weather scenarios.
Revenue potential: Fleet operators and drivers can earn or save money on charging costs
Costs, Trade‑Offs & Technical Challenges
The V2G hardware is pricy: a bidirectional charger like the Zaptec Pro costs around £1,000–£10,000, depending on capacity and installation.
However, the Octopus packages includes all this in the price.
| Feature | Power Pack Bundle | Standard EV + Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ~£300 all-in | £35–£50 EV lease + ~£40 untethered tariff |
| Home charging | Free, if 20 sessions ≥12 h | £100–£200 annual charging bills |
| Annual saving | £620–£1,000 | – |
| Charger included | ✅ | ❌ (upfront or install separately) |
| Grid contribution | Smart, automated via Kraken | No |
The bundle is more accessible than piecing together V2G components—but criteria like plugging frequency and licence eligibility limit availability to those with compliant home electrical systems and good grid capacity.
For the masses
Octopus and BYD’s initiative opens V2G to retail consumption at scale.
The partnership with Motability Operations also ensures disabled drivers are included
This new package aligns with UK goals for zero-carbon electricity by 2035 and supports Octopus’s vision of decentralised, customer‑driven energy grids.
BYD’s first V2G-compatible Dolphin provides a perfect opportunity to bring the green technology to the masses as part of a competitive package.
They claim that a typical electric vehicle (EV) driver can cut their annual bill by £620 compared to charging on a standard tariff – and save almost £1,000 compared to fuelling a petrol car.
Global momentum is building too, with a number of trials utilising the technology taking place.
These include the Netherlands, Australia and France.
The Road Ahead
Octopus Energy and BYD’s Power Pack Bundle marks a milestone in commercial V2G deployment.
While the concept has been talked about for many years, this is the first real commercial package that will undoubtedly become commonplace as nations look to stabilise power grids as demands increase, whilst also improving environmental credentials and commitments.
It points to a future where electric cars are energy assets, not just transport tools.
Still, success depends on overcoming technical, regulatory, and incentive-based barriers.
