EV Smart Tariff UK: The Complete Guide to Cheaper Home Charging

An EV smart tariff is a time-of-use electricity tariff that offers a lower rate per unit (measured in pence per kWh) during off-peak hours, typically overnight. By charging your electric car during these cheaper windows, most UK drivers save between £300 and £550 a year compared with the price cap rate.

This guide covers how EV smart tariffs work, which providers offer the best rates in 2026, how to switch, and how to choose the right tariff for your vehicle and charging habits.

What Is an EV Smart Tariff?

A smart tariff for electric vehicles divides your electricity bill into at least two rate bands: a cheap off-peak rate (usually overnight) and a standard daytime rate. You pay less per kWh when you charge during the off-peak window, and more at other times.

The key difference between a standard dual-rate tariff and an EV-specific smart tariff is how the cheap rate is applied. Some tariffs apply the lower rate to your entire home during the off-peak window, so you benefit from running a dishwasher, washing machine, or immersion heater overnight too. Others apply the cheap rate only to electricity drawn through a verified EV charger.

The more sophisticated end of the market, led by Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart, goes further. These tariffs use direct integration with your EV or smart charger to automatically schedule charging for the cheapest and greenest moments, including slots outside the overnight window, without you needing to manage it manually.

To qualify for any EV smart tariff in the UK, you need:

• A smart meter capable of sending half-hourly readings
• An electric vehicle registered in the UK (some tariffs also accept plug-in hybrids)
• A home EV charger (standard 3-pin charging is accepted by some, but smart tariffs work best with a dedicated 7kW wallbox)

If you do not yet have a smart meter, your energy supplier is legally obliged to install one free of charge on request.

How Much Can You Save on an EV Smart Tariff?

From 1 October 2026 the Ofgem price cap puts the average electricity rate at 26.32p per kWh, with no VAT on household electricity until 31 March 2027. Leading EV smart tariffs offer overnight rates of between 6.66p and 9.5p per kWh, a reduction of between 64% and 75%.

For a driver covering 7,000 miles per year in a car that consumes around 3.5 miles per kWh, the annual charging requirement is approximately 2,000 kWh. At the price cap average, that costs around £526 per year. On Intelligent Octopus Go at 7.6p/kWh, the same charging costs around £152, a saving of around £374.

Drivers who consistently charge at home overnight and avoid public charging wherever possible can save £500 or more per year. Public charging rates average around 54p per kWh across the UK, making home smart charging on a dedicated tariff up to 85% cheaper per unit.

A full charge for a Volkswagen ID.4 (77kWh battery) on Intelligent Octopus Go costs approximately £6.16 overnight. At an average public charging rate, the same charge would cost over £41.

The Best EV Smart Tariffs in the UK (October 2026)

Intelligent Octopus Go

Off-peak rate: 7.6p/kWh
Off-peak window: 11:30pm–5:30am (6 hours, whole home), plus up to 6 hours of smart charging at other times
Smart scheduling: Yes, direct integration with 280+ EV models and chargers
Contract: 12-month fix, £50 exit fee
Compatibility: Direct API integration with many EVs including Tesla, Audi, BMW, Cupra, MINI, Nissan, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen, plus wider compatibility via Ohme, zappi, VCHRGD, Hypervolt, Indra and Andersen chargers.

Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK’s most popular EV tariff. You connect your EV or smart charger to the Octopus app, tell it when you need the car ready and what battery level you want, and the system automatically schedules charging for the cheapest and greenest times. You do not need to remember to set a timer.

The 7.6p/kWh rate applies to the whole home during the off-peak window, and during any smart charging slot that falls outside it, so you can also run overnight appliances more cheaply. The day rate averages 36.70p/kWh.

Best for: Drivers with a compatible EV or smart charger who want fully automated overnight charging.

E.ON Next Drive Smart

Off-peak rate: 8.1p/kWh
Off-peak window: 12am–6am (6 hours, whole home), plus smart-scheduled charging at the same rate at any time
Smart scheduling: Yes, through the E.ON Next Home app
Contract: 12-month fix, no exit fee
Compatibility: Supported EVs, or any EV with a zappi, Hypervolt or Indra charger

E.ON Next Drive Smart charges 8.1p/kWh for the whole home from midnight to 6am. When your car is plugged in, the E.ON Next Home app schedules charging during lower-cost periods and bills it at the same 8.1p/kWh, even outside the overnight window. Its average day rate of 31.68p/kWh is one of the lowest of the major EV tariffs, and there is no exit fee.

If your car and charger aren’t supported, E.ON’s standard Next Drive tariff charges 9.53p/kWh from midnight to 6am and works with any EV or plug-in hybrid and any charger.

Best for: Drivers with a supported car or charger who use a lot of electricity during the day, or who want smart charging with no exit fee.

British Gas EV Power

Off-peak rate: 9.5p/kWh; around 7.125p/kWh equivalent with Hive Power+
Off-peak window: Midnight–5am (5 hours, whole home)
Smart scheduling: No smart dispatch, timer-based
Contract: Fixed until March 2028
Compatibility: All EVs and charger brands

British Gas EV Power is one of the most straightforward EV tariffs available. No specific vehicle or charger brand is required, and the whole-home off-peak rate applies across the five-hour overnight window, every night of the week.

Customers with a compatible Hive charger can add Hive Power+, which takes a further 25% off all home EV charging; British Gas puts the combined equivalent rate at 7.125p/kWh. Electricity on the tariff is matched to 100% renewable generation through REGO certificates. The trade-offs are a high day rate, averaging around 36.90p/kWh, and an exit fee of £200 per fuel if you leave British Gas early.

Best for: Existing British Gas customers, especially those with a compatible Hive charger.

EDF GoElectric

Off-peak rate: 6.66p/kWh
Off-peak window: 11pm–6am (7 hours, whole home)
Contract: 12 or 18 months fixed; exit fee £75 per fuel (12 months) or £100 (18 months)
Compatibility: All EVs and charger brands

EDF GoElectric has the lowest headline off-peak rate of the major UK EV tariffs, and its seven-hour overnight window is the longest of any mainstream EV tariff. EDF cut the rate from 8.99p/kWh to 6.99p/kWh in April 2026, and with VAT removed from household electricity from 1 October 2026 it is now 6.66p/kWh. This makes EDF GoElectric particularly attractive for drivers with large batteries who need longer overnight charge windows. Its day rate averages 35.21p/kWh on the 12-month version and 31.99p/kWh on the 18-month version.

Best for: Drivers with large-battery EVs who charge almost entirely overnight and want the lowest available per-unit rate.

So Energy So EV

Off-peak rate: 7.14p/kWh
Off-peak window: Midnight–5am (5 hours, whole home)
Contract: 12 months fixed
Compatibility: All EVs and charger brands

So EV pairs one of the lowest overnight rates with 100% renewable electricity. So Energy only shows the day rate and standing charge in a quote, and new customers join its standard So Flex tariff first before being moved across.

Best for: Drivers who want a low fixed-window rate and renewable electricity.

OVO Charge Anytime

Format: Monthly plans or pay-as-you-go
Standard plan: £26.50/month (700 smart-charged miles + £120 public charging voucher)
Premium plan: £36/month (1,000 smart-charged miles + £120 public charging voucher)
Plus plans: £57.50 and £76.50/month (1,400 and 2,000 miles + £240 voucher)
PAYG rate: 13.33p/kWh

OVO Charge Anytime operates differently from the other tariffs listed here. Rather than offering a fixed overnight window rate, OVO uses smart scheduling to find cheap electricity potentially at any time of day, and bills it separately from your home tariff. Plans bundle in public charging value, making it useful for mixed home-and-public charging drivers.

The PAYG rate of 13.33p/kWh is significantly higher than the dedicated overnight tariffs above. The monthly plans offer better value for consistent home chargers.

Best for: Drivers who also use public charging regularly and value bundled charging value alongside home smart charging.

Smart Tariff vs Standard Rate: Side-by-Side Comparison

Rates are correct as of October 2026 and include 0% VAT on household electricity, which applies until 31 March 2027.

How to Choose the Right EV Smart Tariff

If you want full automation

Intelligent Octopus Go is the best choice if your EV or home charger is on the compatibility list. You plug in, tell the app your target charge level and ready-by time, and charging is handled automatically. You never need to think about it. If you also use a lot of electricity during the day, compare E.ON Next Drive Smart, which has a much lower day rate.

Check compatibility at octopus.energy before signing up. Compatible vehicles include Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Cupra, Nissan, Renault, Porsche, and MINI. Drivers with other vehicles can use a compatible smart charger (Ohme, zappi, VCHRGD, Hypervolt, Indra, or Andersen) to access the same automated features.

If you want the simplest set-up

E.ON Next Drive and British Gas EV Power work with any EV and any charger. You set a charging timer on your vehicle’s infotainment screen or charger app, and charging completes within the cheap overnight window. E.ON Next Drive gives you six hours and no exit fee; British Gas EV Power gives you five.

If you have a large battery EV

EDF GoElectric’s seven-hour window (11pm–6am) is the longest available. For an EV with an 80kWh+ battery charging at 7kW, a seven-hour window provides around 49kWh of capacity, enough for most weekly top-ups.

If you drive high mileage

Prioritise the cheapest per-unit rate and the longest overnight window. EDF GoElectric at 6.66p/kWh and So Energy So EV at 7.14p/kWh compete at the low-cost end, and British Gas EV Power with Hive Power+ works out at around 7.125p/kWh. Run the numbers based on your actual annual kWh consumption to find the best deal for your usage.

If you have solar panels

Octopus Flux combines solar export revenue with cheap overnight import rates. To qualify, you need solar panels and a home battery installed by an MCS or Flexi-Orb certified installer. The tariff has three rate bands: cheap overnight import (2am–5am), a standard daytime rate, and a premium export rate during the evening peak (4pm–7pm). An average solar home with a 4.9kWp system and 5.2kWh battery saves around £937 per year on Octopus Flux. See our Octopus Flux guide for the full breakdown.

The Difference Between Smart Tariff Types

Fixed off-peak window tariffs

Many EV tariffs (Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive, British Gas EV Power, EDF GoElectric, So EV) operate on fixed overnight windows. The rate is the same every night. You know exactly when cheap electricity is available, which makes scheduling simple and predictable.

Half-hourly tariffs

Octopus Agile prices electricity every 30 minutes, based on the wholesale market. Rates can drop below 0p/kWh when there is excess renewable generation on the grid, in which case you are paid for consuming electricity. Rates can also spike during periods of high demand. Agile suits drivers who are frequently home and willing to use an automation tool to shift charging to the cheapest half-hour slots. It requires active engagement or smart home automation. Read our Octopus Intelligent Go vs Agile comparison to see which approach suits your habits.

Automated smart scheduling

Tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart go beyond fixed windows. By integrating directly with your EV’s onboard system or with your smart charger, the tariff provider controls when charging starts and stops, targeting the cheapest and lowest-carbon slots, including slots outside the overnight window. You set a ready-by time and minimum battery level; the system does the rest.

How Smart Charging Works with Your Charger

Since June 2022, all new home EV chargers sold in the UK must comply with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. This means every new charger comes with smart functionality built in, including the ability to schedule charging to off-peak periods.

Most smart chargers use a dedicated app to let you set a schedule. For example:

• The Ohme Home Pro integrates directly with energy tariffs, automatically adjusting charging based on price signals
• The zappi can prioritise solar generation and delay grid charging to off-peak windows
• The VCHRGD Seven Pro connects to the Octopus ecosystem for fully automated scheduling

You do not need a specific charger to benefit from a cheaper off-peak rate: setting a timer on your car’s built-in controls or on any app-connected charger achieves the same result on a fixed-window tariff. However, automated tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart require either a compatible EV or a smart charger on the approved list.

Read our reviews of the best smart chargers to find a model that works with your chosen tariff.

How to Switch to an EV Smart Tariff

Switching to an EV smart tariff follows the same process as any energy switch in the UK:

1. Check you have a smart meter. If not, contact your current supplier to arrange a free installation.
2. Confirm your EV’s compatibility with the tariff you want (particularly important for Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart).
3. Get a quote from the new supplier. Most EV tariffs are available to new customers directly from the supplier’s website.
4. Initiate the switch. Your new supplier handles the transfer from your old supplier, typically within 5 working days. You do not need to contact your old supplier.
5. Set up the app. Connect your EV or charger to the supplier’s app and configure your charging preferences (ready-by time, target battery level).
6. Monitor the first few bills. Check that off-peak consumption is being billed at the correct rate.

Standard variable tariffs have no exit fees, but most fixed EV tariffs do: £50 on Octopus’s EV tariffs, £50 per fuel on Good Energy EV Charge, £75 per fuel on EDF GoElectric (12 months) and £200 per fuel on British Gas EV Power. E.ON Next’s Drive tariffs have none. Check terms before switching.

Which Chargers Work Best with Smart Tariffs?

The charger you own directly affects how sophisticated your smart tariff integration can be.

Ohme Home Pro is designed from the ground up for tariff integration. It connects directly with Intelligent Octopus Go and adjusts charging in real time based on grid price signals, without you needing to interact with it. It is compatible with all EVs.

zappi by myenergi prioritises solar generation and can be configured to only draw from the grid during off-peak windows. It works with Intelligent Octopus Go and is one of the chargers E.ON supports for Next Drive Smart.

VCHRGD Seven Pro is fully integrated into the Octopus ecosystem and is a strong choice for Intelligent Go users who want hardware and software designed to work together.

Hypervolt Home 3 Pro works with Intelligent Go and with E.ON Next Drive Smart, and offers clean integration with both apps.

Indra Smart Pro is on the Intelligent Octopus Go approved list, is supported for E.ON Next Drive Smart, and offers V2G capability, making it suitable for future vehicle-to-grid export.

Browse our full home EV charger comparison for reviews of all the above, with side-by-side specs.

EV Smart Tariffs and Solar Panels

If you have solar panels, a dedicated EV tariff still adds value, even with free daytime solar generation. There are several hours most nights when solar output is zero, and a cheap overnight rate means you can top up from the grid without eroding the cost savings from your panels.

For solar households with a home battery, Octopus Flux is specifically designed to optimise the full cycle: charge the battery from cheap grid electricity overnight, use solar during the day, and export at premium rates during the evening peak. This can deliver savings of up to £937 per year for a household with a typical 4.9kWp solar installation and 5.2kWh battery.

Read our detailed guide to how Octopus Flux works for solar and EV owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an EV smart tariff? An EV smart tariff is a time-of-use electricity tariff that offers a lower per-unit rate (measured in pence per kWh) during off-peak hours, typically overnight. EV owners charge their cars during this cheaper window to reduce annual running costs. From 1 October 2026 the Ofgem price cap average is 26.32p/kWh; leading EV tariffs charge about 6.66p to 9.5p/kWh overnight.

Do I need a smart meter to get an EV tariff? Yes. All UK EV smart tariffs require a smart meter capable of sending half-hourly consumption data. If you do not have one, your energy supplier is legally obliged to install it free of charge on request. Installation typically takes one to two weeks.

Which is the cheapest EV tariff in the UK? From 1 October 2026, EDF GoElectric has the lowest widely available off-peak rate at 6.66p/kWh, with a seven-hour overnight window, followed by So Energy So EV at 7.14p/kWh. Intelligent Octopus Go (7.6p/kWh) and E.ON Next Drive Smart (8.1p/kWh) are the leading smart tariffs, adding cheap smart charging slots outside their overnight windows. Rates change regularly, so always check current figures directly with the supplier before switching.

Can any EV use a smart tariff? Any EV can use a fixed-window EV tariff such as E.ON Next Drive, Octopus Go, EDF GoElectric or British Gas EV Power; you just set a timer. Automated smart scheduling (as offered by Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart) requires either a compatible EV with an accessible charging API or a compatible smart charger such as an Ohme, zappi, Hypervolt or Indra.

Is it worth switching to an EV smart tariff? For the vast majority of UK EV drivers who charge at home, yes. At 7.6p/kWh overnight versus the October 2026 price cap average of 26.32p/kWh, a driver covering 7,000 miles per year saves approximately £374 annually on charging alone. Drivers covering more miles or charging larger batteries save proportionally more.

Key Takeaways

• EV smart tariffs offer off-peak overnight rates of about 6.66p to 9.5p/kWh compared with the October 2026 price cap average of 26.32p/kWh, a saving of 64% to 75% per unit.
• Most UK drivers who switch to a dedicated EV tariff save between £300 and £550 per year on home charging.
• Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK’s most popular EV tariff, with automated scheduling and direct integration with over 280 EV models and chargers; E.ON Next Drive Smart offers similar smart charging with a lower day rate and no exit fee.
• All UK EV smart tariffs require a smart meter; your supplier must install one free of charge on request.
• Drivers with solar panels and a home battery should consider Octopus Flux, which can save an average solar household up to £937 per year.
• Switching to an EV smart tariff takes around five working days and is handled by the new supplier; you do not need to contact your existing supplier.

Useful Resources

Ofgem: Energy price cap and consumer guides
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/

Energy Saving Trust: Smart charging for electric vehicles
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/smart-charging-electric-vehicles/

GOV.UK: Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/1467/contents/made

Money Saving Expert: EV energy tariffs guide
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/ev-energy-tariffs/

Octopus Energy: Intelligent Go tariff
https://octopus.energy/smart/intelligent-octopus-go/