Powercast Planned

What to do if there is a planned power cut in your area affecting your electric vehicle charging

Is your electrical vehicle battery low and you need to leave the house?
Here are some steps you can follow to minimise disruptions to your day.

Check for more information on a power cut

Want to find out more detail about a power cut in your area? Received a notification to say power has been resumed but your house is still without power? Enter your postcode into the UK Power Networks website to find more information and report power outages. You can also see a full list of current power outages within the UK Power Networks region on this page.

Check for more power cut information

Charge ahead of time

Check the time of the planned power cut: you will have received this in the notification we sent you (this may have been via email, push notification, or SMS). If you can, try and charge your vehicle before the power cut starts.

If you have smart charging turned on in the ev.energy app you will need to override your current schedule by plugging your vehicle in and pressing “boost” on the ‘Dashboard’ tab. This will charge your vehicle straight away. Please note that your smart charging schedule will not automatically update based on this power cut information and so you must not rely on smart charging in the event of a power cut.

Charge at a public charge point

If you can’t charge your vehicle at home before the power cut starts, you can use a public charge point. It’s a good idea to check that a power cut isn’t also affecting charge points near your house. You can check the live status of many charging networks and access route planning features on apps such as the Zap-Map app.

Plan alternative transportation

If possible, you could try and take public transport such as a bus or train. Check to see what local services are available to you.

See if you’re eligible for extra support

UK Power Networks operates a Priority Services Register to provide enhanced support in the event of a power cut. This includes but is not limited to:
‍
- A priority number that you can call 24 hours a day
- Text and voice message alerts, letting you know when we are aware of a large power cut in your area
- Tailored support if needed such as home visits, hot meals, advice and keeping your friends and relatives updated

To check if you are eligible to receive this additional support, and to sign up to the Priority Services Register, go to the UK Power Networks website.

Check out the Priority Services Register

Other tips for how to look after yourself during a power outage

The UK Power Networks website has useful advice about what to do in the event of a power cut.
‍
UK Power Networks Help and Advice

About UK Power Networks

UK Power Networks owns and runs the cables and substations which deliver electricity from the national grid to 8.4 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England, serving approximately 20 million people.

As the country’s biggest electricity distributor, it has invested more than £6.4 billion in its electricity networks since 2011, focusing on safety, network reliability, sustainability and affordability by caring for vulnerable customers and keeping costs low. It is a founder member of the Levelling up Coalition, sixth on the UK Inclusive Companies list as well as one of only 6% of companies worldwide to achieve Platinum Investor in People status.

If you have an issue with your power, there are many ways to get in touch including freephone 105 and @UKPowerNetworks

Questions about Powercast

How did I receive this notification?

We know that driving an electric vehicle comes with its own unique set of challenges and we’re committed to making this as simple as possible. That’s why we’re excited to be able to offer power cut notifications so that you’re never caught short of charge.

We are informed of planned and unplanned power cuts by UK Power Networks. We then take this information and pass it on to our drivers based on your location. We use the charger location you have given us to determine if there is a power cut in your area.

If you think you have received this notification incorrectly, please go to the ‘Dashboard’ tab, select the settings cog on the top left of your screen, and click on “charging location”. Check that your home location is correct and adjust it as necessary.

If the charger location is correct but you think the information you received was wrong, please reach out to us at support@ev.energy and we will be happy to help you.

How can I stop receiving these notifications?
‍
We want owning an electric vehicle to be as stress-free as possible for our drivers. That’s why we’ve launched this new notification feature, Powercast, so you will always know if your home charging may be impacted by a power cut. If you would like to stop receiving these notifications then you can let us know at support@ev.energy.

‍

Powercast