E.ON Next EV Tariffs Review 2026

E.ON Next is one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers and offers two dedicated EV tariffs: Drive Smart (with smart dispatch) and Drive (fixed overnight window). Both are strong performers, and Drive Smart has one standout advantage — the lowest peak rate of any major smart EV tariff on the market at 28.25p/kWh.

If your household uses electricity during the day and you want the combined benefit of a cheap overnight EV rate and a lower day rate, E.ON Next is the most compelling option after Octopus.

Drive Smart — E.ON Next’s flagship EV tariff

Drive Smart offers 8p/kWh during smart-dispatched off-peak slots alongside a 28.25p/kWh peak rate. The smart dispatch works similarly to Intelligent Octopus Go — the tariff identifies cheap slots within the overnight window and charges your car at those times automatically.

At 8p/kWh, the off-peak rate matches Octopus. But the 28.25p/kWh peak rate is significantly cheaper than Octopus’s 33.72p/kWh — a saving of over 5p per kWh on every unit used during the day. For a household using 8 kWh during peak hours daily, that’s nearly £150 a year saved on non-charging electricity alone.

Who suits Drive Smart? EV drivers in households with meaningful daytime electricity consumption — home workers, families at home, households with electric heating or heat pumps.

Drive — the fixed-window option

E.ON Next Drive offers a fixed overnight window at 9p/kWh rather than 8p smart dispatch. The lower rate comes with less automation — you set your charger or car timer to charge within the off-peak window manually.

Drive is still competitive at 9p/kWh, and the peak rate of 29.75p/kWh remains below Octopus. It works with any charger or EV, with no smart dispatch compatibility requirements.

Tariff	Off-peak rate	Off-peak window	Peak rate	Standing charge
Drive Smart	8p/kWh	Smart dispatch	28.25p/kWh	50p/day
Drive	9p/kWh	Variable off-peak	29.75p/kWh	50p/day

Smart dispatch and compatibility

E.ON Next’s smart dispatch works with a range of compatible EVs and chargers, though the compatibility list is smaller than Octopus Energy’s. Check E.ON Next’s website for your specific vehicle and charger model before applying.

A SMETS2 smart meter is required for both tariffs. E.ON Next will install one free of charge if you don’t already have an eligible meter.

App and account management

The E.ON Next app allows you to set charging targets, view your energy usage, and manage your account. It handles the essentials well but is less feature-rich than the Octopus app in terms of real-time pricing data and third-party integrations.

E.ON Next does not currently offer a public charging network equivalent to Octopus Electroverse, though public charge access is less of a deciding factor for home-charging tariff choice.

Renewable energy

Drive Smart is backed by 100% renewable electricity. E.ON Next sources power from wind, solar, and hydro projects and provides an annual fuel mix certificate showing the source breakdown.

Who should consider E.ON Next over Octopus?

If your household uses significant daytime electricity and the 5p/kWh difference between E.ON Next’s and Octopus’s peak rates is meaningful to you, E.ON Next Drive Smart is the smarter pick overall.

If overnight rate alone is your priority and your car is compatible, Octopus Intelligent Octopus Go’s wider smart dispatch ecosystem gives it the edge. For the cheapest raw overnight rate, So Energy’s SO EV at 6.5p/kWh beats both.

Our verdict on E.ON Next EV tariffs

Drive Smart is an excellent tariff that doesn’t get enough attention compared to Octopus. The 28.25p/kWh peak rate makes it genuinely compelling for households that use power during the day, and the 8p/kWh off-peak rate is fully competitive. Drive is a capable fixed-window alternative for drivers who don’t need smart dispatch.

Our recommendation: if Octopus isn’t available in your area or your EV isn’t on their compatibility list, E.ON Next Drive Smart is the next best option for smart charging.