UK EV Charging Trial Saves Drivers £750K

EV owners participating in the 'Crowdflex' home energy trial have collectively saved £750,000 over a 13-month period. This initiative studied how households could enhance grid flexibility by shifting their energy consumption. The trial, which began in May 2024 and concluded in September 2025, engaged 20,000 customers, making it the largest UK home EV charging company participation in a flexibility trial. Participants flexed nearly 150MW of electricity.

Drivers were incentivized to plug in their electric vehicles at home more frequently and for longer durations. This allowed for intelligent management of charging times, enabling customers to benefit from cheaper electricity rates and helping the grid manage demand, particularly during peak times and when renewable energy is abundant. Ohme, the UK's largest home charging company, reported a 40% increase in plug-in rates among participants compared to a control group.

Based on the trial's outcomes, Ohme projects that such flexible charging solutions could lead to customer savings exceeding £470 million per year by 2036. The company's CEO highlighted the need for greater government and industry coordination to fully realize the system value of home EV chargers. Ofgem's Deputy Director praised the trial as a blueprint for future domestic flexibility, emphasizing its role in creating a smarter, decentralized energy system crucial for achieving 2030 clean energy ambitions.

The trial specifically focused on shifting charging schedules, not vehicle-to-grid or vehicle-to-load functionalities. Charging occurred at a maximum of 7.4kW, a rate that Ohme confirmed does not negatively impact EV battery health, unlike higher-power public DC fast charging which can accelerate battery degradation. Participants were rewarded for plugging in, not for changes in charging speed or duration, ensuring battery longevity was maintained.