From 1 October to 31 December 2026, the electricity price cap averages 26.32p per kWh with a 54.83p daily standing charge, and the typical dual fuel bill is £1,723 a year, up 4%. Charging an EV at the cap rate costs more than three times as much as charging overnight on an EV tariff, but EV tariffs' day rates sit above the cap, so they pay off when enough of your use moves overnight.
Ofgem’s energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 puts the average electricity unit rate at 26.32p per kWh and the standing charge at 54.83p a day, for people who pay by Direct Debit. The typical dual fuel bill under the cap is £1,723 a year, up 4% on the previous period.
The new cap
| Direct Debit averages | 1 July to 30 September 2026 | 1 October to 31 December 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity unit rate | 26.11p per kWh (with 5% VAT) | 26.32p per kWh (0% VAT) |
| Electricity standing charge | 57.19p a day (with 5% VAT) | 54.83p a day (0% VAT) |
| Gas unit rate | 7.33p per kWh | 7.97p per kWh |
| Gas standing charge | 29.04p a day | 29.68p a day |
There has been no VAT on household electricity since 1 October, so Ofgem warns the electricity figures cannot be compared directly with earlier periods. Gas still carries 5% VAT. Our VAT story explains the change.
What it means for charging an EV
The cap limits the rates on standard variable tariffs. If you charge your car on a standard tariff, every kilowatt-hour costs the cap’s average of 26.32p, whatever time you plug in.
| Charging 3,000 kWh a year at home | Rate | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|
| Standard variable tariff at the cap | 26.32p | £790 |
| Intelligent Octopus Go, overnight | 8.0p | £240 |
| EDF GoElectric, overnight | 6.66p | £200 |
An EV tariff cuts the cost of charging by around £550 to £590 a year in this example, provided you charge in the cheap window. The catch is the rest of your use: EV tariffs’ day rates are above the cap (Intelligent Octopus Go averages 38.90p in the day, for example), so a home that uses a lot of electricity in the day and drives little can pay more overall. Our EV tariff comparison shows each tariff’s day and night rates side by side.
EV tariffs are mostly fixed
Most EV tariffs on sale in October 2026 are fixed for 12 months or longer, including Intelligent Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive Smart and EDF GoElectric. Their rates do not change when the cap moves, so the cap matters most if you are on a standard variable tariff and wondering whether to switch.
What happens next
Ofgem normally announces the cap for January to March in late November. Separately, VAT on household electricity is due to return to 5% on 1 April 2027 unless the government extends the cut. We will update this page with each change.
Rates correct as of October 2026 and include 0% VAT on household electricity, which applies until 31 March 2027. Rates vary by region and can change, so check with the supplier directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the electricity price cap from October 2026?
From 1 October to 31 December 2026, Ofgem's cap for people who pay by Direct Debit averages 26.32p per kWh for electricity, with a standing charge of 54.83p a day. Both figures include 0% VAT.
Does the price cap affect EV tariffs?
Not directly. The cap limits the unit rates and standing charges of standard variable tariffs. Most EV tariffs on sale in October 2026 are fixed, so their rates do not change when the cap does.
How much cheaper is an EV tariff than the price cap for charging?
Charging 3,000 kWh a year at the cap's 26.32p average costs about £790. At an overnight EV rate of 8p it costs £240, and at 6.66p it costs about £200, as long as you charge in the cheap window.
When is the next price cap announced?
Ofgem normally announces the cap for January to March in late November. We will update this page when it does.
Useful Resources
- Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges · Ofgem
- Temporary zero rate of VAT for domestic electricity in Great Britain · HMRC, 8 September 2026
