EV Tariffs

EV Tariff Comparison UK 2026: Find the Cheapest Rate for Home Charging

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.

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)

TariffProviderOff-peak rateWindowHoursAll EVs?Smart scheduling?
EDF GoElectricEDF6.99p/kWh11pm–6am7YesNo
Octopus Intelligent GoOctopus8p/kWh11:30pm–5:30am6Via compatible EV/chargerYes (automated)
E.ON Next Drive SmartE.ON8p/kWh12am–6am6YesTimer-based
British Gas EV Power+British Gas7.9p/kWhMidnight–5am5Via Hive chargerVia Hive
British Gas EV PowerBritish Gas9p/kWhMidnight–5am5YesNo
SO Energy EVSO Energy~6.5p/kWhMidnight–5am5YesNo
OVO Charge Anytime (PAYG)OVO14p/kWhAny timeVariesYesYes
Standard variable (Ofgem Q2 2026)Any24.67p/kWhAll day24

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 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 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 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 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 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.


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/

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