Switching to a dedicated EV electricity tariff can save you £300 to £550 a year on home charging. The best tariffs charge 6.5p to 9.5p per kWh overnight, compared with the October 2026 price cap average of 26.32p/kWh. That is a reduction of between 64% and 75% per unit.
The fastest way to get oriented
As of 25 October 2026, E.ON Next Drive Smart at 6.5p/kWh (midnight–6am, 6 hours, for supported cars and chargers), EDF GoElectric at 6.66p/kWh (11pm–6am, 7 hours) and So Energy So EV at 7.14p/kWh (midnight–5am, 5 hours) offer the lowest widely available overnight rates.
Fixed-window tariffs work with any EV and any charger. Smart tariffs such as Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart need a compatible car or charger.
Yes, as long as your new car is also an EV or PHEV. Notify your supplier when you change vehicles.
If you charge your car outside the off-peak window, the daytime rate applies. On EV tariffs this averages between about 30p and 38p/kWh.
For most UK EV drivers who charge at home overnight, yes. At 8.0p/kWh versus the 26.32p/kWh price cap average, a driver covering 7,000 miles per year saves approximately £366 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 (October 2026)
| Tariff | Provider | Off-peak rate | Window | Hours | All EVs? | Smart scheduling? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF GoElectric | EDF | 6.66p/kWh | 11pm–6am | 7 | Yes | No |
| So EV | So Energy | 7.14p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | Yes | No |
| British Gas + Hive Power+ | British Gas | ~7.125p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | Via Hive charger | Via Hive |
| Intelligent Octopus Go | Octopus | 8.0p/kWh | 11:30pm–5:30am, plus smart slots | 6 | Via compatible EV/charger | Yes (automated) |
| ScottishPower EV Saver | ScottishPower | 8.5p/kWh | 2am–5am | 3 | Yes | No |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | E.ON Next | 6.5p/kWh | 12am–6am, plus smart slots | 6 | Via supported EV/charger | Yes (app) |
| British Gas EV Power | British Gas | 9.5p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | Yes | No |
| Octopus Go | Octopus | 9.4p/kWh | 12:30am–5:30am | 5 | Yes | No |
| Sainsbury’s EV | Sainsbury’s Energy | 8.5p/kWh | 12am–6am | 6 | Yes | No |
| E.ON Next Drive | E.ON Next | 8.5p/kWh | 12am–6am | 6 | Yes | No |
| OVO Charge Anytime (PAYG) | OVO | 13.33p/kWh | Any time | Varies | Via compatible EV/charger | Yes |
| Price cap average (Oct 2026) | Any | 26.32p/kWh | All day | 24 | n/a | n/a |
Rates correct as of October 2026 and include 0% VAT on household electricity, which applies until 31 March 2027. Tariff rates change regularly; always verify current figures directly with the supplier before switching.
Provider Profiles
Octopus Energy: Intelligent Go
Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK’s most popular EV tariff. It offers 8.0p/kWh between 11:30pm and 5:30am (whole home), plus up to six hours of automated smart charging at other times for compatible vehicles and chargers.
Why it stands out: For eligible drivers, Octopus does the work: you plug in, set a ready-by time, and charging is automatically scheduled for the cheapest and greenest slots. No timer-setting required.
Compatibility: Direct EV integration for Tesla, BMW, MINI, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT, Cupra, Nissan, Renault, Porsche and others. Smart charger route: Ohme Home Pro, zappi, VCHRGD Seven Pro, Hypervolt, Indra Smart Pro, Andersen.
Contract: 12-month fix with a £50 exit fee. Day rate averages 38.90p/kWh.
Annual saving vs the price cap: Approximately £366 on charging for a 7,000-mile/year driver.
Read our Octopus Intelligent Go guide for the full detail.
E.ON: Next Drive Smart
E.ON Next Drive Smart is cheaper than Intelligent Octopus Go overnight (6.5p/kWh against 8.0p/kWh) and has two further advantages: one of the lowest average day rates of the major EV tariffs (34.04p/kWh) and no exit fee. Charging scheduled through the E.ON Next Home app is billed at 6.5p/kWh even outside the midnight-to-6am window.
Why it stands out: A low day rate for households that use power during the day, plus smart charging and no lock-in.
Compatibility: Supported EVs, or any EV connected through a zappi, Hypervolt or Indra charger. E.ON’s standard Next Drive tariff (8.5p/kWh) works with any EV and any charger.
Annual saving vs the price cap: Approximately £396 on charging for a 7,000-mile/year driver.
Read our E.ON EV tariff guide for rates, requirements, and how to switch.
British Gas: EV Power and Hive Power+
British Gas EV Power offers 9.5p/kWh from midnight to 5am with no vehicle or charger brand restriction. Adding Hive Power+ with a compatible Hive charger takes a further 25% off home EV charging, an equivalent rate of around 7.125p/kWh.
Why it stands out: Established brand, genuinely simple setup, no compatibility list to fall foul of, and electricity matched to 100% renewable generation through REGO certificates.
Watch out for: A high day rate (around 36.90p/kWh on average) and a £200 per fuel exit fee if you leave British Gas before the fix ends in March 2028.
Compatibility: All EVs and charger brands for EV Power. A compatible Hive charger is required for Power+.
Read our British Gas EV tariff guide for rates and how to switch.
EDF: GoElectric
EDF GoElectric offers the longest overnight window (seven hours, 11pm–6am) and the lowest rate of the tariffs that need no smart device at 6.66p/kWh from 1 October 2026 (only E.ON Next Drive Smart, which needs a supported car or charger, is lower at 6.5p/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.
Watch out for: An exit fee of £75 per fuel on the 12-month version (£100 on the 18-month version) and a day rate averaging 35.21p/kWh on the 12-month version.
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: £26.50/month, including 700 smart-charged home miles and a £120 public charging voucher.
Premium plan: £36/month, including 1,000 home miles and a £120 public charging voucher.
Plus plans: £57.50 and £76.50/month, covering 1,400 and 2,000 miles with a £240 voucher.
PAYG rate: 13.33p/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 13.33p/kWh is well above the 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 for the full plan structure.
So Energy: So EV
So Energy’s So EV tariff charges 7.14p/kWh overnight (midnight–5am) from 1 October 2026, with 100% renewable electricity. It works with any EV and any charger.
Why it stands out: One of the lowest per-unit rates, with a renewable energy credential. Simple and universal.
Watch out for: The day rate and standing charge are only shown in a quote, and new customers join So Energy’s standard tariff first before being moved to So EV.
Read the So Energy EV tariff page for full details.
Which EV Tariff Is Right for You?
You want fully automated scheduling
Choose Intelligent Octopus Go if your EV or charger is on the compatibility list. You connect once; Octopus manages charging from there. Check compatibility at octopus.energy.
You use a lot of electricity during the day
Choose E.ON Next Drive Smart if your car or charger is supported. It has one of the lowest average day rates of the major EV tariffs, smart charging at 6.5p/kWh and no exit fee.
Your EV is not compatible with a smart tariff
Choose E.ON Next Drive for a six-hour window (midnight to 6am) at 8.5p/kWh with a low day rate and no exit fee, or Octopus Go if you want to stay with Octopus.
You want a low overnight rate and the longest window
Choose EDF GoElectric. Seven hours (11pm–6am) at 6.66p/kWh. Ideal for large-battery EVs (Kia EV9, Tesla Model Y Long Range, VW ID.4 Pro) that benefit from extended charging time, provided you’re happy with the exit fee.
You are already with British Gas
Choose British Gas EV Power. 9.5p/kWh, a five-hour window, zero brand restrictions and REGO-matched renewable electricity, with Hive Power+ taking EV charging down further if you have a compatible Hive charger.
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, exit fees 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
- Confirm you have a smart meter (or arrange installation, free from any UK supplier on request).
- Choose a tariff based on your EV, charger brand, and overnight charging needs.
- Get a personalised quote from the supplier’s website.
- Complete the online switch. Your new supplier manages the transfer.
- Once live, connect your car or charger to the supplier’s app (smart tariffs) or set a charging timer to align with the off-peak window (fixed-window tariffs).
For a full guide to how smart tariffs work and how to maximise savings, see our EV smart tariff guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest EV tariff in the UK? As of 25 October 2026, E.ON Next Drive Smart at 6.5p/kWh (midnight–6am, 6 hours, for supported cars and chargers), EDF GoElectric at 6.66p/kWh (11pm–6am, 7 hours) and So Energy So EV at 7.14p/kWh (midnight–5am, 5 hours) offer the lowest widely available overnight rates. Intelligent Octopus Go (8.0p/kWh) and E.ON Next Drive Smart (6.5p/kWh) are the leading smart tariffs. Rates change regularly, so verify current figures directly with each supplier.
Do EV tariffs work with all electric vehicles? Fixed-window tariffs do: E.ON Next Drive, British Gas EV Power, EDF GoElectric, So Energy So EV and Octopus Go all work with any EV and any charger. Smart tariffs need a compatible car or charger: Intelligent Octopus Go checks your car or charger at sign-up, and E.ON Next Drive Smart needs a supported car or a zappi, Hypervolt or Indra 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, and check it is supported if you are on a smart tariff.
What happens if I miss the off-peak window? If you charge your car outside the off-peak window, the daytime rate applies. On EV tariffs this averages between about 30p and 38p/kWh depending on the tariff and region. 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 8.0p/kWh versus the October 2026 price cap average of 26.32p/kWh, a driver covering 7,000 miles per year saves approximately £366 annually on charging costs alone. Drivers covering more miles, or running additional appliances on the overnight rate, save more.
Key Takeaways
- EV tariffs charge 6.5p to 9.5p/kWh overnight versus the October 2026 price cap average of 26.32p/kWh: savings of 64% to 75% per unit.
- Intelligent Octopus Go leads on automation; E.ON Next Drive Smart has the lowest overnight rate, one of the lowest day rates and no exit fee; EDF GoElectric has the longest window.
- 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 around 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/