Best EV Tariff UK 2026: A Driver's Guide to Cheaper Home Charging

A note on accuracy: EV tariff rates change regularly. All unit rates in this article were verified directly from supplier websites and official sources in March 2026. Always check current rates with your chosen supplier before switching, as prices may have changed since publication.

If you drive an electric car - or you're getting one through a salary sacrifice scheme - choosing the right home energy tariff could save you hundreds of pounds every year. Yet most EV drivers stick with their existing standard tariff, unaware of how much they're leaving on the table.

Here's the reality: the April 2026 Ofgem price cap puts standard variable electricity at 24.67p per kWh. The best EV tariffs charge as little as 7.9–8p/kWh overnight. That's a difference that adds up to £400–£500 a year for a typical driver - and often more.

This guide breaks down the best EV tariffs available in the UK right now, with verified rates, honest comparisons, and clear savings calculations so you can make the right call for your household.

What is an EV Energy Tariff?

An EV energy tariff is a specialist electricity plan designed for drivers who charge at home. Instead of paying one flat rate around the clock, these tariffs split the day into two pricing tiers:

• Off-peak hours (typically overnight): a significantly cheaper rate - usually between 7.9p and 9.5p/kWh - when grid demand is low and renewable generation is often high
• Peak hours (daytime): a higher rate that partially offsets the cheap overnight electricity

The mechanics are straightforward. You plug your car in when you get home, set a target charge and a "ready by" time (either through your EV's app or your energy supplier's app), and your car charges automatically during the cheapest overnight window.

Two-rate vs add-on tariffs

There are two broad types:

• Two-rate tariffs (e.g. Intelligent Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive, British Gas EV Power): your entire household benefits from the off-peak rate, including appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers.
• Add-on tariffs (e.g. OVO Charge Anytime): the discounted rate applies to your EV charging only. Your home electricity stays on your existing tariff.

Most drivers with a smart charger and a reasonably flexible routine will benefit most from a two-rate tariff - the ability to run appliances overnight at off-peak rates multiplies the savings beyond just charging the car.

What you need to switch

To access an EV tariff, you'll typically need:

• A smart meter (SMETS2, or an upgraded SMETS1) capable of sending half-hourly readings
• A compatible EV or home wallbox (requirements vary by tariff)
• A home charging point - a 7kW wallbox will charge a typical EV overnight in 6–10 hours

If you don't yet have a smart meter, your energy supplier is obliged to install one free of charge on request.

The Best EV Tariffs in the UK (2026)

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the leading EV tariffs available in the UK as of March 2026. All rates have been verified from supplier websites.

*Octopus advertises its smart charging rate as 8p/kWh; the standard off-peak window rate is also 8p/kWh for the whole home. Rates correct per Octopus Energy, March 2026.

†OVO Charge Anytime uses a flat monthly subscription model rather than a per-kWh rate. See below.

Intelligent Octopus Go

Best for: Drivers with a compatible EV or Ohme charger who want to set-and-forget charging

Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK's most popular EV tariff, with over 150,000 customers and compatibility with more than 280 EV models and chargers. It offers the most sophisticated smart charging of any tariff currently available.

The off-peak rate is 8p/kWh, available from 11:30pm to 5:30am every night — and that rate applies to your whole home during that window, not just your car. Beyond the guaranteed six-hour overnight window, Octopus's smart system may also schedule additional charging at the cheapest and greenest moments on the grid, always at the same discounted rate.

The setup is straightforward: connect your car or charger to the Octopus app, set a target charge and a "ready by" time, and the system handles the rest. You don't need to think about it again.

Key requirements: A SMETS2 (or compatible SMETS1) smart meter, plus either a compatible EV (check Octopus's eligibility list) or an Ohme home charger.

Octopus Go

Best for: Drivers with any EV or charger who want simplicity without smart scheduling

Octopus Go is the simpler sibling of Intelligent Go. The off-peak rate is 9.5p/kWh, running from 12:30am to 5:30am every night, with whole-home benefit.

There's no smart scheduling here — you set a timer on your car or wallbox to start charging at 12:30am. It works with any EV and any charger, which makes it accessible to drivers whose vehicles or chargers aren't compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go.

Key requirements: A compatible smart meter. That's it — no restrictions on EV make or charger brand.

E.ON Next Drive Smart

Best for: Drivers with a compatible EV and charger who want a long off-peak window with smart scheduling

E.ON Next Drive Smart offers an off-peak rate of 8.5p/kWh between midnight and 6am — a six-hour window that applies to your entire home. Rates and tariff information are correct as of 5 March 2026, per E.ON Next.

Smart charging through the E.ON app automatically schedules your car during off-peak hours. Unless you trigger a manual "boost charge" outside the window (which would be billed at the peak rate of 30.869p/kWh), you'll always pay the off-peak rate for your car charging.

No exit fees apply, and customers also receive a free one-year subscription to Zoom EV — an online platform offering discounts on public charging, car hire, and parking.

Key requirements: Smart meter with half-hourly data sharing enabled, plus an eligible EV and charger.

E.ON Next Drive Fixed

Best for: Drivers who want predictable overnight rates without smart EV requirements

The simpler version of E.ON's tariff, Next Drive Fixed offers a rate of 9.5p/kWh overnight, without requiring a compatible EV or charger for the smart scheduling feature. The off-peak window is the same: midnight to 6am.

It's a solid option if your EV isn't on E.ON's smart-compatible list, or you simply prefer a fixed timer approach to overnight charging.

British Gas EV Power & EV Power+

Best for: Existing British Gas customers, or those happy to switch and who want a competitive two-rate tariff

British Gas EV Power offers a standard off-peak rate of 9p/kWh from midnight to 5am, with no restrictions on EV make or charger brand. The whole home benefits from the lower rate during that five-hour window.

Customers with a Hive EV Charger can access EV Power+, which brings the off-peak rate down to 7.9p/kWh - making it one of the most competitive rates on the market.

British Gas also offers its PeakSave benefit alongside both tariffs: half-price electricity on Sunday afternoons from 11am–4pm, which can add meaningful further savings for households who shift appliance usage accordingly.

OVO Charge Anytime

Best for: Existing OVO customers looking for flexible, green-led smart charging

OVO Charge Anytime works quite differently from the others. Rather than a fixed off-peak window, it uses smart technology to charge your EV during the cheapest and greenest moments - at any time of day or night. Crucially, it's an add-on to your existing OVO home tariff, not a standalone two-rate tariff, so only your EV charging benefits from the discounted rate.

OVO offers this as a flat monthly plan rather than a per-kWh EV rate, with pricing based on your expected annual mileage. A PAYG option is also available. The system requires a compatible smart charger and an existing OVO account.

Because it doesn't provide whole-home off-peak savings and operates differently to the other tariffs in this comparison, it may suit drivers who already have an OVO home tariff and don't want to switch supplier.

How Much Can You Save With an EV Tariff?

Let's put real numbers to this. The following calculations are based on a typical EV with a 60kWh battery, driven 10,000 miles per year, at a real-world efficiency of approximately 3.5 miles per kWh. Annual energy consumption: 2,857 kWh.

Annual home charging cost:

*Standard variable rate based on the Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap of 24.67p/kWh, effective April 2026.

Per charge (top-up from 20% to 80% on a 60kWh battery = 36kWh):

That's a saving of roughly £6 per charge, or - at three charges a week - over £900 a year, purely on the difference between a standard tariff and the best off-peak rate. The more you drive and the more you charge at home, the bigger the saving.

It's also worth noting that these savings don't account for the additional benefit of running other high-energy appliances - dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers - during the off-peak window. For a household that shifts a significant portion of appliance use to overnight, total savings can increase meaningfully beyond just EV charging.

Tips for Maximising Your EV Charging Savings

Switching to an EV tariff is the biggest single step, but there are several ways to squeeze out additional savings.

Use smart charging scheduling religiously. Whether through your EV's built-in app or your energy supplier's platform, setting a "ready by" time means your car always charges in the cheapest window - no manual effort required.

Run appliances overnight. Washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers all consume significant electricity. Moving these loads to your off-peak window (typically midnight to 5–6am depending on your tariff) can add £50–£150 per year on top of your EV charging savings.

Charge at home whenever possible. The difference between home off-peak charging (~8p/kWh) and public rapid charging can be dramatic. For those occasions when you do need to top up on the go, the loveelectric Charge Card offers savings of up to 60% on public charging across the entire UK public network, including Tesla Superchargers - giving you the same cost-conscious approach to away-from-home charging that your EV tariff provides at home.

Pair with solar if you have it. Dedicated export tariffs from suppliers like Octopus (Outgoing Octopus) and E.ON (Next Export) can turn a solar & battery setup into a money-generator when combined with a smart EV tariff.

Check your peak rate, not just your off-peak rate. Every EV tariff offsets cheap overnight rates with higher daytime rates. Before switching, calculate your total household usage across all hours - not just how you charge the car. If you work from home and use substantial daytime electricity, the peak rate on some EV tariffs could be higher than your current standard tariff.

EV Tariff FAQs

Can I get an EV tariff without a smart meter? No - all EV tariffs require a smart meter capable of sending half-hourly readings. However, if you don't already have one, your supplier is legally obliged to install one free of charge on request. This is typically done before your tariff switch takes effect.

Do EV tariffs work with all home chargers? It depends on the tariff. Octopus Go, British Gas EV Power, and E.ON Next Drive Fixed work with any charger - you simply set a timer on your wallbox or EV. Smart versions (Intelligent Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive Smart, British Gas EV Power+) require compatible hardware. Always check your specific EV and charger model against your chosen supplier's eligibility list before switching.

Is Octopus really the cheapest? The smart charging rate of 8p/kWh from Intelligent Octopus Go is highly competitive - but British Gas EV Power+ at 7.9p/kWh is marginally cheaper if you're willing to use a Hive EV charger. Octopus's strength lies in its compatibility with the widest range of vehicles and chargers, and its established reputation for smart scheduling. For most EV drivers, the difference in cost per year between the top two or three tariffs is relatively small compared to the large gap between any EV tariff and a standard variable rate.

What if I also have solar panels? EV tariffs and solar can work very well together. Most suppliers offer compatible export tariffs that pay you for electricity you send to the grid. Pair an overnight EV tariff with a solar & battery system, and you can effectively charge your car with electricity you've generated — and get paid for any surplus. Check your supplier's solar export options before switching.

Can I get an EV tariff before I take delivery of my car? Some suppliers allow you to switch in advance if your EV is on order. Check with your chosen supplier. If you're getting your EV through a salary sacrifice scheme, your loveelectric account can help you understand your likely home charging needs so you can choose the most appropriate tariff from day one.

All tariff rates correct as of March 2026. Rates are subject to change — always verify the latest unit rates directly with the supplier before switching. The savings calculations in this article are illustrative, based on a 60kWh battery EV, 10,000 miles per year at 3.5 miles/kWh efficiency, and the Q2 2026 Ofgem standard variable rate of 24.67p/kWh. Your actual savings will depend on your driving pattern, vehicle efficiency, charger speed, and how much of your household electricity you shift to off-peak hours.