# EV Tariff Comparison UK 2026: Find the Cheapest Rate for Home Charging Published: 2026-04-24 | Updated: 2026-07-14 | Source: https://www.bestchargers.co.uk/ev-tariff-comparison/ > Compare every major UK EV tariff in 2026 — rates, windows, compatibility, and recommendations. The best tariffs offer 7–9p/kWh overnight versus 24.67p/kWh standard. Switching to a dedicated EV electricity tariff can save you £300–£500 per year on home charging. The best tariffs offer overnight rates of 7–9p per kWh — compared to the Ofgem Q2 2026 standard variable rate of 24.67p/kWh. That is a reduction of between 61% and 72% per unit. ## Quick answers **Which is the cheapest EV tariff in the UK?** As of April 2026, EDF GoElectric at 6.99p/kWh (11pm–6am, 7 hours) and SO Energy at approximately 6.5p/kWh (midnight–5am, 5 hours) offer the lowest widely available overnight rates. **Do EV tariffs work with all electric vehicles?** Most do. E.ON Next Drive Smart, British Gas EV Power, EDF GoElectric, and SO Energy all work with any EV and any charger. **Can I stay on an EV tariff if I change my car?** Yes, as long as your new car is also an EV or PHEV. Notify your supplier when you change vehicles. **What happens if I miss the off-peak window?** If you charge your car outside the off-peak window, the daytime rate applies. This varies by tariff and region but is typically between 21p and 37p/kWh. **Is it worth switching from my current tariff to an EV tariff?** For most UK EV drivers who charge at home overnight, yes. At 8p/kWh versus 24.67p/kWh, a driver covering 7,000 miles per year saves approximately £330 annually on charging costs alone. This page compares every major EV tariff currently available in the UK, with rates, off-peak windows, compatibility requirements, and a clear recommendation for each driver type. --- ## EV Tariff Comparison Table (April 2026) | Tariff | Provider | Off-peak rate | Window | Hours | All EVs? | Smart scheduling? | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | EDF GoElectric | EDF | 6.99p/kWh | 11pm–6am | 7 | Yes | No | | Octopus Intelligent Go | Octopus | 8p/kWh | 11:30pm–5:30am | 6 | Via compatible EV/charger | Yes (automated) | | E.ON Next Drive Smart | E.ON | 8p/kWh | 12am–6am | 6 | Yes | Timer-based | | British Gas EV Power+ | British Gas | 7.9p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | Via Hive charger | Via Hive | | British Gas EV Power | British Gas | 9p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | Yes | No | | SO Energy EV | SO Energy | ~6.5p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | Yes | No | | OVO Charge Anytime (PAYG) | OVO | 14p/kWh | Any time | Varies | Yes | Yes | | Standard variable (Ofgem Q2 2026) | Any | 24.67p/kWh | All day | 24 | — | — | *Rates and availability correct to April 2026. Tariff rates change regularly — always verify current figures directly with the supplier before switching.* --- ## Provider Profiles ### Octopus Energy: Intelligent Go Octopus Intelligent Go is the UK's most popular EV tariff, with over 150,000 customers. It offers a fixed rate of 8p/kWh between 11:30pm and 5:30am (whole home), plus automated scheduling for compatible vehicles and chargers. **Why it stands out:** For eligible drivers, Octopus does the work — you plug in, set a departure time, and charging is automatically scheduled for the cheapest and greenest overnight slots. No timer-setting required. **Compatibility:** Direct EV integration for Tesla, BMW, MINI, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT, Cupra, Nissan, Renault, Porsche. Smart charger route: Ohme Home Pro, Zappi GLO, VCHRGD Seven Pro, Hypervolt, Indra Smart Pro, Andersen. **Annual saving vs standard tariff:** Approximately £271 for a 7,000-mile/year driver. Read our [Octopus Intelligent Go guide](/best-evs-octopus-intelligent-go/) for the full detail. --- ### E.ON: Next Drive Smart E.ON Next Drive Smart matches Octopus Intelligent Go on per-unit cost (8p/kWh) with one significant advantage: it works with any EV and any charger brand. No compatibility check, no app integration. **Why it stands out:** Universal compatibility. If your EV is not on the Octopus list, E.ON Next Drive Smart delivers the same overnight rate without the setup. **Compatibility:** All EVs and plug-in hybrids; all home charger brands. **Annual saving vs standard tariff:** Approximately £440 for a 7,000-mile/year driver. Read our [E.ON EV tariff guide](/eon-ev-tariff/) for rates, requirements, and how to switch. --- ### British Gas: EV Power and EV Power+ British Gas EV Power offers 9p/kWh from midnight to 5am with no charger brand restriction. EV Power+ brings the rate down to 7.9p/kWh for customers using a Hive EV charger. **Why it stands out:** Established brand, simple setup, and the PeakSave benefit — half-price electricity every Sunday between 11am and 4pm — adds savings beyond the overnight window. **Compatibility:** All EVs and charger brands for EV Power. Hive charger required for EV Power+. **Annual saving vs standard tariff:** £330–£490. Read our [British Gas EV tariff guide](/british-gas-ev-tariff/) for rates and how to switch. --- ### EDF: GoElectric EDF GoElectric offers the longest overnight window (seven hours, 11pm–6am) and, from April 2026, one of the lowest rates at 6.99p/kWh. It accepts all EVs and charger brands. **Why it stands out:** The seven-hour window suits large-battery EVs (80kWh+) that need extended overnight charging time to fully replenish. At 7.4kW for seven hours, you add approximately 51kWh. **Compatibility:** All EVs and charger brands. --- ### OVO: Charge Anytime OVO Charge Anytime changed its format in November 2025, moving away from a simple overnight rate to monthly plans and a pay-as-you-go option. **Standard plan:** £27.50/month, including 700 smart-charged home miles and a £120 public charging voucher. **Premium plan:** £37.50/month, including 1,000 home miles and a £120 public charging voucher. **PAYG rate:** 14p/kWh at any time of day via smart scheduling. **Why it stands out:** Bundled public charging vouchers add value for drivers who regularly use public chargers. The monthly plan format provides predictable charging costs. **Why it might not suit you:** The PAYG rate of 14p/kWh is nearly double the fixed overnight rates from Octopus or E.ON. Monthly plans are only cost-effective if you use the public charging vouchers. Read our [OVO EV tariff guide](/ovo-ev-tariff/) for the full plan structure. --- ### SO Energy: EV Tariff SO Energy's EV tariff offers approximately 6.5p/kWh overnight (midnight–5am), with 100% renewable electricity. It works with any EV and any charger. **Why it stands out:** Competitive per-unit rate with a renewable energy credential. Simple and universal. *Rate is approximate — verify current figures at so.energy before switching.* Read the [SO Energy EV tariff page](/so-energy-ev-tariff/) for full details. --- ## Which EV Tariff Is Right for You? ### You want fully automated scheduling **Choose Octopus Intelligent Go** if your EV or charger is on the compatibility list. You connect once; Octopus manages overnight charging from there. Check compatibility at octopus.energy. ### Your EV is not compatible with Octopus **Choose E.ON Next Drive Smart.** Universal compatibility, same 8p/kWh overnight rate, six-hour window. Set a charging timer on your car or charger once and leave it. ### You want the longest overnight window **Choose EDF GoElectric.** Seven hours (11pm–6am) at 6.99p/kWh. Ideal for large-battery EVs (Kia EV9, Tesla Model Y Long Range, VW ID.4 Pro) that benefit from extended charging time. ### You want the simplest setup from a major supplier **Choose British Gas EV Power.** Nine pence per kWh, five-hour window, zero brand restrictions, plus PeakSave Sunday afternoon half-price electricity. ### You drive high mileage and use public charging too **Consider OVO Charge Anytime's monthly plan.** The bundled public charging vouchers add meaningful value if you use charge points regularly. Run the numbers against your actual public charging spend. --- ## What All EV Tariffs Have in Common - **Smart meter required.** Every EV smart tariff in the UK requires a smart meter with half-hourly data sharing enabled. If you do not have one, your supplier must install it free of charge on request. - **Off-peak rate applies to the whole home.** Most tariffs apply the lower overnight rate to all home electricity, not just the car. You can run appliances cheaper overnight too. - **Switching is handled by the new supplier.** You do not need to contact your current supplier. A switch typically takes five working days. - **The cheapest per-unit rate is not always the best deal.** Daytime rates, standing charges, and the length of the off-peak window all affect your total annual bill. Use a full tariff comparison (not just the overnight rate) before switching. --- ## How to Switch to an EV Tariff 1. Confirm you have a smart meter (or arrange installation — free from any UK supplier on request). 2. Choose a tariff based on your EV, charger brand, and overnight charging needs. 3. Get a personalised quote from the supplier's website. 4. Complete the online switch. Your new supplier manages the transfer. 5. Once live, set a charging timer on your vehicle or charger app to align with the off-peak window. For a full guide to how smart tariffs work and how to maximise savings, see our [EV smart tariff guide](/ev-smart-tariff-guide/). --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Which is the cheapest EV tariff in the UK?** As of April 2026, EDF GoElectric at 6.99p/kWh (11pm–6am, 7 hours) and SO Energy at approximately 6.5p/kWh (midnight–5am, 5 hours) offer the lowest widely available overnight rates. Rates change regularly — verify current figures directly with each supplier. **Do EV tariffs work with all electric vehicles?** Most do. E.ON Next Drive Smart, British Gas EV Power, EDF GoElectric, and SO Energy all work with any EV and any charger. Octopus Intelligent Go requires a compatible EV or smart charger for automated scheduling, though any EV can still use the tariff with a manual timer. **Can I stay on an EV tariff if I change my car?** Yes, as long as your new car is also an EV or PHEV. Notify your supplier when you change vehicles. **What happens if I miss the off-peak window?** If you charge your car outside the off-peak window, the daytime rate applies. This varies by tariff and region but is typically between 21p and 37p/kWh. Consistent overnight charging is key to maximising savings. **Is it worth switching from my current tariff to an EV tariff?** For most UK EV drivers who charge at home overnight, yes. At 8p/kWh versus 24.67p/kWh, a driver covering 7,000 miles per year saves approximately £330 annually on charging costs alone. Drivers covering more miles, or running additional appliances on the overnight rate, save more. --- ## Key Takeaways - EV smart tariffs offer overnight rates of 7–9.5p/kWh versus 24.67p/kWh standard variable — savings of 61–72% per unit. - Octopus Intelligent Go leads on automation; E.ON Next Drive Smart leads on universal compatibility; EDF GoElectric leads on window length. - All EV tariffs require a smart meter; your supplier must install one free on request. - OVO Charge Anytime suits mixed home and public charging drivers; the PAYG rate is less competitive than fixed overnight alternatives. - Switching takes five working days and is handled by the new supplier. --- ## Useful Resources Ofgem — Energy price cap https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ Money Saving Expert — EV energy tariffs https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/ev-energy-tariffs/ Energy Saving Trust — Smart charging for electric vehicles https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/smart-charging-electric-vehicles/