SO Energy offers a dedicated EV tariff with a cheap overnight rate for home charging. The tariff is available to UK customers with a smart meter and a registered electric vehicle, and it works with any home EV charger.
This page covers SO Energy’s current EV tariff rates, how it compares to other leading providers, and how to switch.
SO Energy EV Tariff: Key Details
SO Energy’s EV tariff offers a discounted overnight charging rate for customers who charge at home. The off-peak rate applies between midnight and 5am every day, giving you five hours of cheaper electricity for EV charging and whole-home overnight consumption.
Off-peak rate: Approximately 6.5p/kWh (midnight–5am)
Off-peak window: Midnight to 5am (5 hours)
Rate applies to: Your whole home during the off-peak window
Smart meter required: Yes — half-hourly data sharing enabled
EV requirement: Any registered UK EV
Charger requirement: Any home charger
Energy source: 100% renewable electricity
Note: Tariff rates change periodically. Always verify the current rate directly with SO Energy at so.energy before switching.
How the SO Energy EV Tariff Works
SO Energy operates as a straightforward time-of-use tariff. There is no automated scheduling integration with specific EV models or charger brands — you set a charging timer on your vehicle or home charger to align with the midnight–5am window.
This makes SO Energy’s EV tariff simple to use with any EV and any charger. Set the timer once, and overnight charging runs at the cheaper rate every night without further adjustment.
The whole-home off-peak rate means appliances running overnight — washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, immersion heaters — also benefit from the reduced rate, not just your car.
What Makes SO Energy Worth Considering?
Competitive off-peak rate
At approximately 6.5p/kWh overnight, SO Energy’s EV tariff is among the lower rates available from UK suppliers. For comparison, Octopus Intelligent Go charges 8p/kWh and E.ON Next Drive Smart charges 8p/kWh. British Gas EV Power is at 9p/kWh.
If the rate holds at or around 6.5p/kWh, this represents a strong per-unit value for overnight charging.
100% renewable electricity
SO Energy supplies 100% renewable electricity across all its tariffs. For EV drivers whose environmental credentials are part of their motivation to drive electric, charging on a renewable tariff reinforces those credentials.
Universal compatibility
Unlike Octopus Intelligent Go — which requires a compatible EV or smart charger for automated scheduling — SO Energy’s tariff works with any electric vehicle and any charger brand. No compatibility check, no app integration required.
No complex product structure
SO Energy’s EV tariff is a standard time-of-use product. There are no monthly plans, no mileage allowances, and no bundled public charging credits. You pay for what you use at the applicable rate.
How Much Can You Save?
At 6.5p/kWh overnight versus the Ofgem Q2 2026 standard variable rate of 24.67p/kWh, the reduction per unit is approximately 74%.
For a driver covering 7,000 miles per year in a car consuming around 3.5 miles per kWh:
- Annual charging requirement: approximately 2,000 kWh
- Annual cost at standard rate (24.67p): approximately £493
- Annual cost at SO Energy EV rate (6.5p): approximately £130
- Annual saving: approximately £363
For higher-mileage drivers, or households running other appliances overnight on the cheap rate, savings are proportionally higher.
These figures are illustrative estimates. Actual savings depend on current tariff rates, your vehicle’s real-world efficiency, and your overnight usage pattern. Verify current rates with SO Energy before switching.
SO Energy EV Tariff vs Other Providers
| Tariff | Off-peak rate | Window | Hours | Smart scheduling? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO Energy EV | ~6.5p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | Timer-based |
| EDF GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | 11pm–6am | 7 | No |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 8p/kWh | 11:30pm–5:30am | 6 | Yes (compatible EVs/chargers) |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | 8p/kWh | 12am–6am | 6 | Timer-based |
| British Gas EV Power | 9p/kWh | Midnight–5am | 5 | No |
SO Energy’s headline rate is competitive at the low end of the market. Its five-hour window matches British Gas and is shorter than EDF GoElectric’s seven hours. The absence of automated scheduling integration is a trade-off — manageable with a charging timer, but not as hands-off as Octopus Intelligent Go for compatible vehicles.
For a full comparison of all current EV tariffs, see our EV tariff comparison hub and the EV smart tariff guide.
Requirements: What You Need Before Switching
To join the SO Energy EV tariff, you need:
- A smart meter with half-hourly data sharing consented. If you do not have one, SO Energy or your current supplier can arrange installation free of charge.
- An electric vehicle registered in the UK.
- A home EV charger or suitable outlet for overnight charging.
- Eligibility check — verify your postcode at so.energy.
How to Switch to SO Energy
- Visit so.energy and request a quote for the EV tariff.
- Confirm you have a smart meter (or that SO Energy can install one).
- Complete the online switch. Your new supplier handles the transfer; your old supplier does not need to be contacted.
- Switching takes approximately five working days.
- Once live, set a charging timer on your EV or charger app to start charging at midnight and stop by 5am.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SO Energy EV tariff rate? SO Energy’s EV tariff offers an overnight off-peak rate of approximately 6.5p/kWh between midnight and 5am. Rates are subject to change — always verify the current rate directly with SO Energy before switching.
Does SO Energy’s EV tariff work with all electric vehicles? Yes. SO Energy’s EV tariff is compatible with all UK-registered electric vehicles and works with any home charger brand. There is no specific EV or charger requirement beyond having a smart meter installed.
Is SO Energy a renewable energy supplier? Yes. SO Energy supplies 100% renewable electricity across all its tariffs, including the EV tariff.
How does SO Energy’s EV tariff compare to Octopus Intelligent Go? Octopus Intelligent Go offers 8p/kWh overnight with automated scheduling for compatible EVs and chargers. SO Energy’s rate of approximately 6.5p/kWh may be lower per unit, but without automated scheduling, you set a timer manually. For drivers whose EVs are not compatible with Octopus Intelligent Go, SO Energy offers a competitive alternative. Verify current rates with both suppliers before deciding.
Can I get SO Energy if I do not have a smart meter? You need a smart meter to access the EV tariff rate. If you do not have one, contact SO Energy or your current supplier — they are legally required to install a smart meter free of charge on request.
Key Takeaways
- SO Energy’s EV tariff offers an overnight off-peak rate of approximately 6.5p/kWh between midnight and 5am — among the lower rates available from UK suppliers.
- The tariff works with any electric vehicle and any home charger; no brand-specific compatibility is required.
- SO Energy supplies 100% renewable electricity, making it a strong option for environmentally motivated EV drivers.
- Switching takes around five working days and is managed by SO Energy — you do not need to contact your current supplier.
- Always verify current rates directly with SO Energy, as tariff rates change periodically.
Useful Resources
SO Energy — EV tariff
https://www.so.energy/energy/tariffs
Energy Saving Trust — Smart charging for EVs
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/smart-charging-electric-vehicles/
Ofgem — Energy price cap
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/