OCTOPUS SHOP – BEEN THERE WORN THE T-SHIRT

Octopus Energy is spreading its tentacles offering Octopus merch in their online store. Working with Ranpuni clothing Octopus is offering a selection of T-Shirts,  hoodies and merchandise. There’s even tote bags with the slogan, “Gas Boilers Suck” 🤣

There’s something for all kids, big and small, with a toy Octo van and a Going Green with Constantine book. 

Who are Ranpuni and why is the Shoptopus a good idea?

Ranpuni clothing has great eco-credentials. They only use organic cotton and are plastic-free. T-shirts are printed to order in the UK using water-based inks one at a time and in real-time, so there’s no waste from over-stocked designs and sizes. Their products are designed so they can be easily returned for recycling into new clothing. 👏

It’s my Netflix and chill go-to hoody.

In 2021, I bought a Power and Love hoody from the Octopus shop and that’s been the extent of my Octopus merch to date but I have my eye on an Octopus toy for our new puppy Frankie.

I am a big Octopus fan and it still makes me giggle when I see the logo staring back at me in the mirror but most importantly I like both of the charities Octopus are supporting.

The Octopus Shoptopus profits now aim to support Octop Assist which supports customers in fuel poverty.

The shop has expanded and in 2024 Octopus launched their smart meter rewards program, Octoplus. With enough Octo points, you can even purchase items for free using loyalty points accrued by taking part in various energy-saving initiatives Octopus promote throughout the year.

Visit the Shoptopus today.

HOW I ENDED UP BUYING AN ELECTRIC CAR.

I was 50 in 2021 and decided to have fun test-driving Electric vehicles. I had no intention to buy one but like many EV converts once I had experienced driving an electric car I was hooked!

It was a big birthday year and as my big day approached I decided that I wanted to get behind the wheel of EV so I could make some informed decisions. (That was my excuse anyway. 😁)

I booked test drives for 4 electric vehicles;

Tesla Model 3

Mustang Mach-E

Volvo Polestar 2

Kia EV6

How did I book the electric vehicle test drives?

It was all very straightforward. The Tesla test drive was the easiest one to get. It just involved a few clicks on their website and the date was confirmed. I had a choice of several dates and times and I quickly got an automated confirmation. I was allocated a one-hour test drive and when I got to the garage after an initial driver’s licence check I was given the Tesla Model 3 to take out for a spin on my own.

The Polestar was also easy to get my hands on. I booked the Polestar test drive online and had to verify my ID online before arriving at the location. That was straight forward too. The test drive was slightly different in that it was a group event. There were 5 Polestars and 4 people all test-driving the cars at the same time. We went out in a convoy and followed a set route that was pre-installed on the sat nav. I was a straggler so got separated from the group but it was fine. I just followed the directions in a giant loop. It took around an hour to get back to our start location. I am quite a nervous driver but the route was really easy to navigate and the car a complete joy.

The Mustang Mach-e I booked directly at my local Ford dealers and had the car for around 30 minutes and the same with the Kia EV6.

Is it different to driving an electric vehicle?

Yes!!! My first test drive was the Tesla Model 3. Friends had told me that I wouldn’t need to use the clutch or the brake whilst driving the Tesla but I couldn’t understand how that was possible. Let me tell you it is!

I was on a slight slope when I got into the Tesla. The Tesla rep told me that with the activation card in the vehicle, the car was on. It didn’t sound like it was on!!! She advised me to lightly touch the brake, release and then put the car into drive mode. I did this but instantly put my foot back on the brake. There was no need. The car automatically held itself still. All you need to do is accelerate and go. Until you accelerate the car holds itself without you doing anything. You don’t need to release a hand brake there isn’t one! 🤯

I was nervous and couldn’t believe the car would automatically hold on a slope. My mind was slightly blown but it worked.  The last thing I wanted to do is roll back and bump the shiny new Tesla into the wall but the car held firm. As I pulled away the acceleration was quite quick and I must admit I started to laugh! I am not a car person but it felt fun to drive.

At my first set of traffic lights, I took my foot off the accelerator and the car very quickly responded. Almost like when your time runs out on the dodgem cars in the fairground. The car came to a stop without me needing to apply anything!

The test drive continued to be a joy to drive as I pulled off the M4 onto some smaller country lanes. It was so different not having to change gear or sometimes even break that I could see a Tesla appealing to so many people! My mum who would love an automatic I’m sure would be delighted to drive one. A Tesla is better than an automatic it’s like a giant iPad/dodgem car!

When I got back to the base I stopped and pushed up the lever to put the car into park and that was it.  No need to apply a hand brake. No locking the car. I just walked away with the little card the rep had given me and the car locked itself! WOW PLUS NO EMISSIONS! 💚💥

This style of driving where you only really need to remove your foot from the accelerator is called one-pedal driving. The Polestar and the Mustang have one-pedal driving but I don’t think the EV6 does. You can change the driving style to remove this. I think for older folk like me who might find one pedal driving just too much of a change you can make the car respond like a traditional car where the car creeps forward if you take your foot off the brake. Before you take a test drive I would ask the sales advisor which mode the car is in. I recommended you at least give one pedal driving a go!!

Which electric vehicle would I choose out of the 4?

I think they are all pretty great!! All 4 cars are 100% electric with zero emissions. I think it depends on your needs and preferences when choosing an EV. I LOVE tech and so Tesla won it for me. It’s just so simple and futuristic. Plus there are so many updates constantly coming from Tesla all via air updates that I don’t feel as excited about the other 3 cars I test drove BUT they are all fantastic cars!

The Mustang Mach-e would be my second choice. It’s really solid, very comfortable and with really easy functions inside the car, it just beat the Polestar to second place. The KIA EV6 only came last as it doesn’t seem to have one-pedal driving. The sales rep had no idea what I was talking about and the dashboard is very busy! There are lots of stripes.

What’s the verdict? Should I buy an electric car?

Without a shadow of a doubt if you are about to buy a new car it’s worth considering an electric vehicle. If you have your own drive then charging isn’t an issue. You can look at one of the 4 tariffs suitable for EV charging with Octopus Energy. For under £3 you can fully charge a Tesla Model 3 which will give you a range of over 200 miles.

If you don’t have a way of charging your electric vehicle at home then I think out of the 4 electric vehicles I test drove I would opt for the Tesla as it has its own network of chargers. In saying that at the moment Tesla is opening up some of their charging stations to other makes of electric cars. So that may not be such an issue in the future. Plus you have lots of charging options many of which offer free charging such as at supermarkets.

I didn’t plan to buy an electric car. I try and get the most use out of everything I buy. An electric car is great but the production even causes a bigger carbon footprint. If you can cycle, take public transport or walk even better BUT my car is 14 years old and I have had it from new.  It’s currently costing me so much in repairs I have decided to make the leap! I will buy my electric vehicle in 2022.  Like everything else I own, I’ll really make sure I get every ounce of use from it.

I was quite nervous about splashing out on a new car but I wanted to make the switch to an electric vehicle for the planet and I have had so much fun trying out the one-pedal driving.

Fast forward 2 years and I am so delighted I made the switch. The Tesla Model Y is so fun to drive, costs much less to fuel and is better for the planet.

Home » Archives for June 5, 2024

Tesla Owners South Wales and Bristol Christmas meet up.

I just wanted to say a big, thank you, to Dave for inviting me along to the Tesla Owners South Wales and Bristol group Christmas meet. I am buying a Tesla Model Y which I hope to get in the new year and Dave and his wife were the first on the scene at Sarn Services, in South Wales to offer me advice.

It was nice to meet Tesla owners who are all so very passionate about their electric vehicles and also about the planet. They all had concerns about climate change and it’s very obvious that they feel they are somewhat pioneers in the EV story.

(Update: I have now been driving a Tesla Model Y for 2 years and it was a great decision. The Tesla community offer so much advice and the vehicle is so much fun to drive!

Are Electric Vehicles the new hot thing?

Back in 2019, I wrote a blog post where I wasn’t quite sure if electric vehicles could offer a suitable alternative to a “traditional” car but now without question, I believe they are the way forward and these guys are leading the way!

It seems I am not alone in my newfound passion for electric vehicles. The EV market is booming!! Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in November 2021 accounted for 21,726 new registrations. This is around an 18.8% market share in November! In October the market share was 15.2%, so the figures are steadily rising.

Should I buy an electric car?

There are so many alternatives to owning a vehicle. I can cycle or walk, and if need be I can use public transport. I own a car so do I need to add to the environmental pressures causing more vehicles to be produced? These are all questions I have asked myself for quite a few months.

Everyone’s needs are different and balancing them with your concerns for the environment when you really want something is quite challenging but I have reached the decision to buy an EV.  My current car, which I bought from new in 2009, is now costing me so much to run. It just keeps breaking down! I could try going without a car but I have 3 kids and live in a semi-rural location so that’s not really an option.

As you can tell I have felt the need to justify my decision. I think that’s the way it’s going to be for so many things as we tackle climate change but I am buying an electric car and it’s going to be a Tesla!

I test drove 4 electric cars. The Tesla was so much fun to drive and I think Elon Musk is a genius. I think he gets quite a lot of negative press for a man who has transformed the automotive industry for the sake of the planet! So my Model Y is on order and I hope to take delivery in early 2022!

Thank you to all the EV owners who have offered advice.

I have met some amazing EV owners. I research EVERYTHING and without fail when I have asked a question I have over received information, which is amazing!! 

Thank you Tesla owners South Wales and Bristol for your warm welcome. Hopefully, in the new year, I will see you all with my model Y. 😀

Update: I have now been driving a Tesla Model Y for 2 years and have enjoyed being a part of the Tesla community. It is a great vehicle to drive and if I can return the favour by helping you with advice please drop me a message on my socials or send me a message on my contact page.

Posts by Sarah you might find of interest:

• How I ended up switching to an EV.