British Gas
Solid Choice Updated August 2026

British Gas EV Tariff Review 2026

3.8 / 5
Off-peak rate 9p/kWh
Peak rate 25p/kWh
Off-peak window Off-peak overnight
Standing charge 52p/day

Rates are indicative as of April 2026. Verify with the provider before switching.

3.8
BestChargers score
Value for money
3.8
Off-peak rates
3.7
Smart features
3.5
Green credentials
3.2
Whole-home tariff
Fixed window
Standard grid mix
Smart meter required
Compare

vs. Octopus Intelligent Go

How British Gas compares to the market leader on rates and smart features.

Octopus off-peak 8p/kWh Smart dispatch
British Gas off-peak 9p/kWh Fixed window
  • Octopus offers smart dispatch vs British Gas fixed window
  • Octopus peak rate (33.72p) is far higher than British Gas (25p)
  • Octopus wins on the overnight rate; British Gas wins on the day rate
  • British Gas suits existing customers avoiding a supplier switch
Bonus savings

PeakSave events

Additional demand-response events that can lower your effective rate further.

PeakSave saving Variable During demand events
Base rate 9p/kWh Off-peak standard
  • Earn bill credits by reducing usage during demand events
  • Compatible with British Gas smart home ecosystem
  • Events are intermittent — not a reliable rate reduction
  • Requires smart meter and compatible Hive devices

Rate breakdown

Rates correct as of August 2026. Confirm with British Gas before switching. PeakSave bill credits are event-based and not guaranteed.

Tariff Off-peak rate Peak rate Standing charge Off-peak window
Electric Driver Main tariff 9p/kWh 25p/kWh 52p/day Fixed overnight window Get deal
Intelligent Octopus Go Better off-peak 8p/kWh 33.72p/kWh 53p/day Smart dispatch Get deal
Next Drive Smart Lower peak 8p/kWh 27.76p/kWh 50p/day Smart dispatch Get deal

Pros

  • Familiar brand with strong customer support infrastructure
  • Integrates with Hive EV Charger for remote scheduling and monitoring
  • Whole-home off-peak rate applies to all overnight appliances, not just charging
  • Free smart meter installation for eligible customers
  • No exit fees when switching between British Gas tariffs
  • 25p/kWh peak rate is the lowest of any major EV tariff in the UK

Cons

  • 9p/kWh off-peak rate is 1p above Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart (both 8p)
  • Fixed overnight window offers less flexibility than smart dispatch rivals
  • No smart dispatch — you must set a charger or car timer manually
  • 52p/day standing charge is among the higher in the market
  • Best features require a Hive EV Charger — adds upfront hardware cost

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. And with a 25p/kWh peak rate, currently the lowest of any major EV tariff, it now stands up well against the specialist tariffs from Octopus, E.ON Next, and EDF rather than trading purely on convenience.

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 25p/kWh peak, the British Gas EV Tariff is priced competitively on both sides of the ledger. The overnight rate sits 1p above the cheapest smart tariffs, but the peak rate is the lowest in our comparison:

MetricBritish GasOctopus Int. GoE.ON Next Drive SmartEDF GoElectric
Off-peak9p/kWh8p/kWh8p/kWh9p/kWh
Peak25p/kWh33.72p/kWh27.76p/kWh26.69p/kWh
Smart dispatchNoYesYesNo

The 25p/kWh peak rate is 8.72p cheaper than Octopus on peak; a meaningful saving if you use a lot of daytime electricity, and it now undercuts EDF’s 26.69p/kWh too.

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 your household uses little daytime electricity and you charge purely overnight, a lower off-peak rate matters more than the day rate. Octopus Intelligent Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart both charge 8p/kWh overnight with smart dispatch, and either will edge out British Gas for pure overnight chargers.

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. The 25p/kWh peak rate is now the lowest of any major EV tariff, and while the 9p overnight rate can be beaten by 1p at the smart dispatch tariffs, the overall rate shape is one of the strongest in the market.

If you’re an existing British Gas customer, this tariff is now an easy recommendation. If you charge overnight only and never use much daytime power, compare it against the 8p smart dispatch tariffs before deciding.

How British Gas compares

See how this tariff stacks up against the best alternatives.

Tariff Off-peak Peak Window
EV Tariff British Gas 9p/kWh 25p/kWh Off-peak overnight Switch
Intelligent Octopus Go Octopus Energy 8p/kWh 33.72p/kWh Smart dispatch (typically 11pm–5am) View
Drive Smart E.ON Next 8p/kWh 27.76p/kWh Smart dispatch View
GoElectric Overnight EDF Energy 9p/kWh 26.69p/kWh 00:00–05:00 daily View

Rates correct as of April 2026. Always check with providers before switching.

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Who is this tariff right for?

Existing British Gas customers

Switching EV tariff within British Gas avoids the friction of changing supplier entirely. For customers happy with BG service, Electric Driver keeps everything under one account.

Hive ecosystem users

If you have a Hive smart home setup, the Hive EV Charger integrates directly with the Electric Driver tariff for scheduling and monitoring through the Hive app.

Whole-home overnight users

The cheap overnight rate applies to all electricity use, not just EV charging. Dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances running overnight also benefit.

Simple setup preference

Electric Driver works with a simple car or charger timer. No smart hardware or app setup required to take advantage of the overnight rate.

Customer service priority

British Gas has an extensive customer support network. For drivers who value easy-to-reach support over the lowest possible rates, the brand backing is a real differentiator.

Consider alternatives if...

Your priority is the cheapest possible overnight rate. Octopus Intelligent Go (8p, smart dispatch) and E.ON Next Drive Smart (8p, smart dispatch) both undercut the 9p overnight rate, though both have higher day rates than British Gas.

Frequently asked questions

Not sure which tariff is right for you?

Compare all UK EV tariffs side by side to find your best match.