Switching to a dedicated EV electricity tariff is one of the most cost-effective steps any UK home charger owner can take. The best tariffs offer overnight rates between 6.99p and 9.5p per kWh — compared to around 25p on a standard variable tariff — delivering typical savings of £400 to £500 per year for a driver covering 10,000 miles annually.
This guide covers every mainstream EV tariff currently available in the UK, explains the key differences, and tells you which one is right for your situation.
How EV tariffs work
An EV tariff is a time-of-use electricity deal that charges a lower unit rate during off-peak hours, typically overnight. You set your car or smart charger to charge during the cheap window. Outside that window, you pay the standard peak rate.
Most EV tariffs are whole-home: the cheap rate applies to all your electricity use during the off-peak period, not just your EV. Running the dishwasher, washing machine, or any other appliance overnight extends the saving further.
Smart dispatch tariffs go one step further: instead of a fixed overnight block, they use software to schedule charging at the cheapest and greenest moments within a guaranteed overnight window. This requires a compatible smart charger or a compatible electric vehicle.
The UK’s best EV tariffs in 2026
1. Intelligent Octopus Go — best overall for smart charger owners
Off-peak rate: 8p/kWh | Peak rate: 33.72p/kWh | Window: Smart dispatch (11pm–5am) | Standing charge: 53p/day
Intelligent Octopus Go is the most popular EV tariff in the UK and the one most drivers should consider first. Smart dispatch, 100% renewable electricity, no exit fees, and a class-leading app make it the most rounded package available.
The main limitation is compatibility: smart dispatch requires a compatible smart charger (Ohme, Indra, Hypervolt, Zappi, Easee, Andersen, Pod Point Solo 3S) or a compatible EV with API integration. See our Intelligent Octopus Go compatible chargers guide for the full list.
If your setup is not compatible, Octopus Go (see below) offers a fixed window with no requirements.
Best for: Drivers with a compatible smart charger. High-mileage EV owners who want the cheapest smart dispatch rate. App-first households.
Read the full Intelligent Octopus Go review
2. EDF GoElectric Overnight — best for the lowest fixed rate
Off-peak rate: 6.99p/kWh | Peak rate: 25.66p/kWh | Window: 00:00–07:00 daily | Standing charge: 46p/day
EDF GoElectric Overnight offers the cheapest fixed overnight rate in the mainstream market — 1p/kWh lower than Intelligent Octopus Go, with a longer 7-hour window and the lowest peak rate of any major EV tariff. No smart device required.
The only significant drawback is the £75 exit fee if you leave before your contract term ends. No other mainstream EV tariff charges an exit fee.
Best for: High-mileage drivers wanting the lowest possible fixed rate. Households with high daytime electricity use (25.66p/kWh peak). Drivers who want simplicity without a smart charger requirement.
Read the full EDF GoElectric review
3. E.ON Next Drive Smart — best for households with high daytime electricity use
Off-peak rate: 8p/kWh | Peak rate: 26.35p/kWh | Window: Smart dispatch (midnight–6am) | Standing charge: 50p/day
E.ON Next Drive Smart matches Intelligent Octopus Go on the overnight rate and significantly undercuts it on the peak rate at 26.35p/kWh — the lowest of any major smart EV tariff. For a household using 4,000kWh per year at peak times, that difference is worth around £295 annually.
If your household uses significant daytime electricity, Drive Smart is very likely to be cheaper overall than Intelligent Octopus Go, even with an identical overnight rate.
Drive Smart requires a compatible smart charger or EV. The non-smart Drive tariff (9p/kWh, midnight–7am) is available without compatibility requirements.
Best for: Households with high daytime electricity use. Drivers who want smart dispatch at the lowest overall annual cost.
Read the full E.ON Next Drive review
4. Octopus Go — best no-fuss Octopus tariff
Off-peak rate: 9.5p/kWh | Peak rate: 33.72p/kWh | Window: 00:30–04:30 daily | Standing charge: 53p/day
Octopus Go is the fixed-window alternative for drivers who want an Octopus tariff without smart dispatch. Works with any EV and any charger; set a timer and charge during the 4-hour overnight window.
The 9.5p/kWh rate is higher than Intelligent Octopus Go and EDF GoElectric, and the 4-hour window is the shortest of any mainstream EV tariff. But it has no exit fee, 100% renewable electricity, and the quality brand behind it.
Best for: Drivers whose charger or EV is not compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go. Those who prefer a fixed, predictable window. Drivers planning to upgrade to a compatible charger.
Read the full Octopus Go review
5. British Gas Electric Driver — best for existing British Gas customers
Off-peak rate: 9p/kWh | Peak rate: 31p/kWh | Window: 00:00–05:00 daily | Standing charge: 52p/day
British Gas Electric Driver is a solid tariff with some useful extras: PeakSave half-price electricity every Sunday 11am–4pm, and Hive EV Charger integration for scheduling and monitoring. Works with any EV and any charger.
The rates are not class-leading: the 9p overnight rate is the same as the worst-value smart tariffs, the peak rate is above average, and the 5-hour window is the shortest of any mainstream EV tariff. But for existing British Gas customers who want a simple switch without changing supplier, it is a practical option.
Best for: Existing British Gas customers who want minimal disruption. Hive EV Charger owners. Households that benefit from the Sunday PeakSave discount.
Read the full British Gas Electric Driver review
6. OVO Charge Anytime — best EV-only add-on for existing OVO customers
Effective rate: ~14p/kWh | Smart dispatch: Yes (Kaluza) | Plans: £27.50/month or £37.50/month | Type: EV-only add-on
OVO Charge Anytime is unique: it is the only mainstream EV charging product that works as an add-on to your existing energy supply rather than replacing your whole-home tariff. You stay on your current OVO supply and add smart EV charging on top.
The trade-off is the effective rate: ~14p/kWh is the highest in our comparison, well above the 6.99p–9.5p available on whole-home tariffs. For most regular EV drivers, switching to a whole-home tariff will save more.
Best for: OVO customers on a competitive home tariff they do not want to lose. Low-mileage EV drivers for whom the absolute rate difference is small. Drivers who value the public charging credit included in the monthly plans.
Read the full OVO Charge Anytime review
Full comparison: UK EV tariffs 2026
| Tariff | Provider | Off-peak rate | Peak rate | Window | Smart dispatch | Exit fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Go | Octopus Energy | 8p/kWh | 33.72p/kWh | Smart (11pm–5am) | Yes | None |
| GoElectric Overnight | EDF Energy | 6.99p/kWh | 25.66p/kWh | 00:00–07:00 | No | £75 |
| Drive Smart | E.ON Next | 8p/kWh | 26.35p/kWh | Smart (midnight–6am) | Yes | None |
| Next Drive | E.ON Next | 9p/kWh | 29.75p/kWh | 00:00–07:00 | No | None |
| Octopus Go | Octopus Energy | 9.5p/kWh | 33.72p/kWh | 00:30–04:30 | No | None |
| Electric Driver | British Gas | 9p/kWh | 31p/kWh | 00:00–05:00 | No | None |
| Charge Anytime | OVO Energy | ~14p/kWh | 25.96p/kWh | Smart (EV only) | Yes | None |
Rates correct as of May 2026. All tariffs subject to change — verify current rates with each supplier before switching.
How to choose the right tariff
If you have or plan to buy a compatible smart charger: Start with Intelligent Octopus Go. If your household uses a lot of daytime electricity, also compare E.ON Next Drive Smart.
If you want the lowest raw overnight rate without smart dispatch: EDF GoElectric Overnight at 6.99p/kWh across a 7-hour window. Be aware of the £75 exit fee.
If you do not have a compatible charger and do not want to switch from Octopus: Octopus Go — predictable, simple, renewable.
If you are an existing British Gas customer and want to switch with minimum effort: British Gas Electric Driver.
If you want EV charging without changing your home energy supplier: OVO Charge Anytime — but do the maths on your mileage first.
What to check before switching
Smart meter: All EV tariffs require a SMETS2 smart meter. If you do not have one, request installation from your current supplier before switching.
Compatibility: For smart dispatch tariffs, confirm your car and charger are on the provider’s compatibility list before switching.
Full bill, not just overnight rate: A lower overnight rate can be offset by a higher day rate or higher standing charge. Model your full annual bill based on your actual usage pattern.
Exit fees: EDF GoElectric Overnight carries a £75 exit fee. Check your current tariff for any exit fees before switching away.
Visit our EV tariffs hub for the latest comparison table, live rates, and tools to calculate your personalised annual saving.