E.ON Next Drive Smart is one of the most straightforward EV tariffs in the UK. It offers a fixed off-peak rate of 8p per kWh between midnight and 6am every day, is compatible with all electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, and places no restrictions on which home charger brand you use.
Unlike Octopus Intelligent Go, which requires a compatible EV or smart charger for automated scheduling, E.ON Next Drive Smart works with your existing setup. You set a charging timer on your car’s controls or charger app, and charging runs at the lower overnight rate.
E.ON Next Drive Smart: The Key Details
Off-peak rate: 8p/kWh
Off-peak window: Midnight to 6am (6 hours daily)
Rate applies to: Your whole home during the off-peak window, not just the EV
Peak daytime rate: Approximately 26.35p/kWh
EV compatibility: All electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids
Charger compatibility: All home charger brands
Smart meter required: Yes
Contract: Fixed for one year
The whole-home off-peak rate means you can also run washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, and immersion heaters cheaply overnight, adding to the overall household savings.
E.ON also offers a standard Next Drive tariff (as distinct from Next Drive Smart) with a similar overnight window at around 9p/kWh. The Smart variant, at 8p/kWh, is the more competitive option for most drivers.
Estimated annual savings: approximately £440 compared to the Q2 2026 Ofgem price cap, based on a driver covering 7,000 miles per year.
Which EVs Work Best with E.ON Next Drive?
Because E.ON Next Drive Smart is compatible with all EVs and chargers, the question is less about compatibility and more about which cars make the best use of a six-hour overnight window.
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Tesla’s scheduled charging feature lets you set an exact start time and a departure time via the Tesla app or the car’s touchscreen. You set charging to begin at midnight, specify the target battery level, and the car charges during the off-peak window automatically. No smart charger needed; the Tesla Wall Connector or any Type 2 cable will do.
Tesla’s 75kWh usable battery (Long Range models) charges at 7.4kW in approximately 10 hours from empty. On a six-hour window, you add around 44kWh — approximately 140–160 miles — which covers most weekly commutes from a partial charge.
Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4
Volkswagen’s We Connect app supports departure-time charging, allowing you to schedule when charging should complete. Set a 7am departure, and the car charges during the cheapest period. The ID.3 has a 58kWh usable battery; a full charge from near-empty takes around eight hours at 7.4kW. A six-hour window adds approximately 44kWh.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6
Hyundai’s Bluelink app supports scheduled charging and remote monitoring. The IONIQ 5 has 72.6kWh usable, the IONIQ 6 up to 74kWh. Both support 10.5kW AC charging, allowing you to add the full 63kWh equivalent in six hours on a 10.5kW charger, or approximately 44kWh on a standard 7.4kW wallbox.
Kia EV6 and EV9
Kia Connect supports remote charging scheduling. The EV6 (77.4kWh) and EV9 (99.8kWh) both benefit from E.ON’s whole-home off-peak rate, and Kia’s scheduling tools let you set charge start and end times to align with the midnight–6am window.
Renault Megane E-Tech and Zoe
Renault’s My Renault app supports scheduled charging. The Megane E-Tech (60kWh) charges from empty in approximately eight hours at 7kW. The Zoe (52kWh) charges fully overnight in seven hours. Both fit comfortably within a six-hour partial-charge window for regular top-ups.
MG4 and MG ZS EV
MG’s iSmart app supports charging timers. The MG4 standard range (49kWh) charges fully in around seven hours at 7kW. The MG ZS EV (51kWh) takes a similar time. Both are well-suited to overnight scheduled charging on E.ON Next Drive Smart.
Polestar 2
Polestar does not currently have direct integration with Octopus Intelligent Go, making E.ON Next Drive Smart a strong alternative. The Polestar app supports scheduled charging. The Polestar 2 Standard Range has 69kWh usable capacity; Long Range models have 78kWh. Both charge comfortably across a six-hour window for most daily use cases.
Nissan Leaf (40kWh and 62kWh)
The Nissan Leaf’s NissanConnect app supports charging timers. At 7.4kW, the 40kWh Leaf charges fully in just under six hours — a perfect fit for E.ON’s overnight window. The 62kWh Leaf charges fully in around nine hours, meaning most daily top-ups complete overnight.
Do You Need a Smart Charger for E.ON Next Drive?
No. E.ON Next Drive Smart works with any home charger or even a 3-pin socket. The off-peak rate applies to all electricity drawn during the midnight–6am window, regardless of how it is consumed.
That said, a smart charger makes the experience more convenient:
- You can set and adjust charging schedules from your phone rather than going to the car
- Smart chargers provide energy consumption data, helping you track charging costs
- Some smart chargers — such as the Ohme Home Pro — offer direct tariff integration and load balancing
For drivers switching to E.ON Next Drive Smart who also need a new home charger, E.ON offers charger and tariff bundles, including OHME installation packages. This is worth exploring if you are starting from scratch.
Comparing E.ON Next Drive Smart with Other EV Tariffs
| Tariff | Off-peak rate | Hours | All EVs? | Automation? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | 8p/kWh | 6 (midnight–6am) | Yes | Timer-based |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 8p/kWh | 6 (11:30pm–5:30am) | Partial (see list) | Fully automated |
| British Gas EV Power | 9p/kWh | 5 (midnight–5am) | Yes | No |
| EDF GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | 7 (11pm–6am) | Yes | No |
E.ON Next Drive Smart matches Octopus Intelligent Go on the per-unit rate while accepting all EVs and chargers. The trade-off is manual scheduling versus the full automation Intelligent Go provides for compatible vehicles.
For drivers whose EVs are not on the Octopus compatibility list — including Polestar, Kia, Hyundai, and many older models — E.ON Next Drive Smart is a compelling alternative at exactly the same cost per unit.
For drivers who want a longer window, EDF GoElectric at 6.99p/kWh over seven hours (11pm–6am) may deliver greater total savings for large-battery vehicles.
See the full comparison in our EV tariff comparison hub and our EV smart tariff guide.
How to Switch to E.ON Next Drive Smart
- Confirm you have a smart meter with half-hourly data sharing enabled (or arrange installation — E.ON installs smart meters free of charge).
- Check eligibility and get a quote at eonnext.com.
- Sign up online. Switching from another supplier takes around five working days.
- Once on the tariff, set a charging timer on your vehicle or charger app to start at midnight and run until you need the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E.ON Next Drive Smart compatible with all EVs? Yes. E.ON Next Drive Smart is compatible with all fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, regardless of brand or model. No specific charger brand is required either — you can use any home wallbox or a 3-pin socket.
What is the E.ON Next Drive Smart off-peak rate? 8p/kWh, available between midnight and 6am every day (six hours). This rate applies to your whole home during that window, not just your EV. Always verify the current rate directly with E.ON, as tariff rates can change.
What is the difference between E.ON Next Drive and E.ON Next Drive Smart? E.ON offers two EV tariff variants. Next Drive Smart charges 8p/kWh overnight and is the more competitive option. The standard Next Drive tariff runs at around 9p/kWh. Both use the same midnight-to-6am window. If you are switching to E.ON for an EV tariff, Next Drive Smart is the recommended option.
Do I need a specific charger to use E.ON Next Drive? No. Any home charger or 3-pin socket qualifies. Unlike Octopus Intelligent Go, E.ON Next Drive Smart does not require a charger on an approved list. You benefit from the off-peak rate by setting a charging timer on your vehicle or charger app.
How much does E.ON Next Drive Smart save? A driver covering 7,000 miles per year on E.ON Next Drive Smart saves approximately £440 per year compared to the Q2 2026 Ofgem price cap of 24.67p/kWh. The six-hour overnight window at 8p/kWh adds around 180 miles of range for a typical EV each night. Figures vary — verify current rates with E.ON before switching.
Key Takeaways
- E.ON Next Drive Smart offers 8p/kWh between midnight and 6am, compatible with every EV and every home charger brand — no compatibility checking required.
- The off-peak rate applies to the whole home, so overnight appliances also benefit from the cheaper rate.
- Drivers covering 7,000 miles per year save approximately £440 per year versus the standard variable tariff.
- Manual scheduling via your car’s timer or charger app delivers the same per-unit savings as Octopus Intelligent Go without needing integration setup.
- E.ON Next Drive Smart is particularly strong for drivers with Polestar, Kia, Hyundai, and other vehicles not on the Octopus Intelligent Go compatibility list.
Useful Resources
E.ON Next — Drive Smart tariff
https://www.eonnext.com/tariffs/next-drive/smart
Energy Saving Trust — Smart charging for EVs
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/smart-charging-electric-vehicles/
Ofgem — Energy price cap
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/