British Gas EV Tariff Review 2026

British Gas is the UK’s largest household energy supplier by customer count, and their dedicated EV tariff is an accessible entry point for existing British Gas customers wanting to reduce home charging costs. However, when compared directly against the specialist EV tariffs from Octopus, E.ON Next, and EDF, it falls short on both overnight rate and peak rate.

This review gives you the full picture of what the British Gas EV Tariff offers, who it suits, and whether you should look elsewhere.

How the British Gas EV Tariff works

The British Gas EV Tariff is a whole-home time-of-use tariff. You get a cheaper rate during a defined overnight window — set your EV charger or car timer to charge within that window and the reduced rate applies to everything your home consumes during those hours.

The current off-peak rate is 9p/kWh. The exact overnight window varies by region and meter type, so confirm the specific hours with British Gas before switching.

A British Gas electricity smart meter is required. If you’re an existing British Gas customer and don’t yet have one, they will arrange installation free of charge.

Hive EV Charger integration

British Gas promotes the tariff alongside their Hive EV Charger, which integrates with the Hive smart home system. Through the Hive app you can set charging schedules, monitor charging progress, and set departure times for your vehicle.

The integration is seamless if you’re already in the Hive ecosystem. However, unlike Octopus Intelligent Octopus Go, the scheduling does not use smart dispatch — you set the overnight window manually, and the tariff applies during those hours.

If you don’t already own a Hive EV Charger, the integration benefit requires an upfront hardware purchase. Other chargers will still work with the tariff (the cheap rate applies to all consumption in the overnight window), but without the scheduling features.

Rates in context

At 9p/kWh overnight and 31p/kWh peak, the British Gas EV Tariff is competitively priced compared to the standard variable rate (currently around 24.98p/kWh average), but it lags behind the specialist alternatives:

Metric	British Gas	Octopus Int. Go	E.ON Next Drive Smart	EDF GoElectric
Off-peak	9p/kWh	8p/kWh	8p/kWh	9p/kWh
Peak	31p/kWh	33.72p/kWh	28.25p/kWh	25.66p/kWh
Smart dispatch	No	Yes	Yes	No

The 31p/kWh peak rate is 5.34p cheaper than Octopus on peak — a meaningful saving if you use a lot of daytime electricity. But EDF’s 25.66p/kWh peak is considerably cheaper still.

Who is the British Gas EV Tariff best for?

The tariff suits existing British Gas customers who want to add EV charging savings with minimal friction. Switching within British Gas avoids the hassle of changing supplier entirely, and British Gas’s customer service is well-established.

It is also a reasonable option for Hive ecosystem households who want integrated app-based scheduling without moving away from a familiar platform.

Who should look elsewhere?

If you’re willing to switch supplier, you can almost certainly find a better deal. Octopus Energy offers smarter scheduling and broader compatibility. E.ON Next Drive Smart has a considerably lower peak rate. So Energy SO EV undercuts British Gas on off-peak rate by 2.5p/kWh.

The 52p/day standing charge is also high — it’s worth factoring this into any full cost comparison.

Customer experience

British Gas’s customer support is extensive, with phone, live chat, and in-app options. The Hive app is polished and well-maintained, with strong smart home integration. For customers who prioritise a familiar, full-featured app over specialist EV features, the experience is positive.

Our verdict on the British Gas EV Tariff

The British Gas EV Tariff is a competent but not outstanding option. It will save money compared to a standard variable tariff, and the Hive integration is a genuine convenience for compatible households. But the rates are not class-leading, and drivers willing to switch supplier can access better off-peak rates, smarter scheduling, or lower peak rates elsewhere.

If you’re an existing British Gas customer who wants the path of least resistance, this tariff will serve you adequately. If you’re willing to compare and switch, the market offers more competitive alternatives.