Best EV Energy Tariffs in the UK: Cut Charging Costs at Home

As more UK households switch to electric vehicles, charging costs quickly become part of the bigger energy picture. How and when you charge your EV can make a real difference to your electricity bill.

That’s where EV-specific energy tariffs come in. These tariffs are designed for EV owners and typically offer much cheaper electricity overnight, when demand on the grid is lower. Used properly, they can cut the cost of charging your car by hundreds of pounds a year compared to a standard tariff.

In this guide, we explain how EV tariffs work, the different types available, and which UK suppliers currently offer the best options. We’ll also help you understand whether an EV tariff makes sense for your home, especially if you already have, or are considering, solar panels or battery storage.

Quick Comparison: EV Tariffs at a Glance

Supplier	Off-Peak Rate	Off-Peak Hours	Smart Charger Needed?
Octopus Go	8.5p/kWh	12:30am–5:30am	No (recommended)
OVO Anytime	7p/kWh	Any time (smart charging)	Yes
British Gas	7.9p/kWh	12am–5am	No
E.ON Next	6.5p/kWh	12am–6am	No

What Is an EV Tariff?

An EV tariff is a specialist electricity deal that offers cheaper rates at night, when energy demand is low — perfect for charging your car while you sleep.

Most EV tariffs include:

• Off-peak pricing (e.g. 7.5p/kWh between 12am–5am)
  
• Two or more unit rates (off-peak and standard)
  
• Compatibility with smart meters, home EV chargers and battery storage units.
  

Some tariffs even link with specific chargers or car brands to automatically schedule your charging for the cheapest times.

How Much Can You Save?

Let’s break it down. If you were to remain on a ‘Standard Variable’ tariff, which has a single rate set at 26.4p per kilowatt hour (kWh), the cost to charge a 60kWh EV battery would be £15.84. However, if you charged using an EV tariff, offering off-peak unit rates of 7.5p per kilowatt hour (kWh), the cost would be £4.50. This offers a saving of £11.34 per charge. If you average 10,000 miles per year, with a 60kWh battery, you would be charging the vehicle around 33 times a year making an annual saving of around £374.22. 

Scenario: Home charging on a standard tariff vs EV tariff

Tariff Type	Rate	Cost to Charge 60kWh
Standard Electricity Tariff	~26.4p/kWh	£15.84
EV Tariff (off-peak)	~7.5p/kWh	£4.50
Saving	~18.9p/kWh	£11.34

If you add in a battery storage unit, the savings keep on growing.

The average UK home, excluding charging an EV, uses around 2,700kWh per year which is around 7kWh per day. Using 2,700kWh on a ‘Standard Variable’ tariff at 26.4p per/kWh would cost £712.80 per year. Using 2,700kwh from a pre-charged battery storage unit at 7.5p per/kWh would cost £202.50 saving a further £510.30. 

Best EV tariffs in the UK

EV tariffs change regularly, but a handful of suppliers consistently offer strong options for overnight charging. Below are some of the best EV tariffs available right now, based on off-peak pricing, charging windows, and overall ease of use.

1. Octopus Energy – Octopus Go

• Off-peak rate: around 8.5p per kWh (12:30am to 5:30am)
  
• Standard rate: around 28 to 30p per kWh
  
• Key features: Widely compatible with most EVs and chargers, simple overnight window, strong app and customer support
  
• Best for: EV owners who want reliable overnight savings without needing a specific charger or vehicle
  

2. OVO Energy – Charge Anytime

• Off-peak rate: around 7p per kWh (smart charging at any time)
  
• Standard rate: similar to OVO’s main tariff
  
• Key features: Uses smart charging to automatically charge when electricity is cheapest and greenest, requires a compatible EV and smart charger
  
• Best for: Drivers who want a hands-off setup and are happy to let the system manage charging automatically
  

3. British Gas – Electric Driver

• Off-peak rate: around 7.9p per kWh (12am to 5am)
  
• Standard rate: around 31p per kWh
  
• Key features: Straightforward overnight charging window, often bundled with EV charger offers
  
• Best for: Existing British Gas customers who want a simple switch without changing how they charge
  

4. E.ON Next – Next Drive

• Off-peak rate: from around 6.5p per kWh (12am to 6am)
  
• Standard rate: around 31p per kWh
  
• Key features: One of the longest off-peak windows available, no requirement for a smart charger
  
• Best for: New EV owners or households that want flexibility around overnight charging times
  

A quick reminder:
EV tariffs only deliver real savings if you consistently charge during off-peak hours. Daytime electricity on these tariffs is usually more expensive than a standard variable tariff, so they work best when EV charging, and ideally other heavy usage, is shifted overnight.

When you’re ready, send over the next section.

When Should You Switch?

Now is a good time to review your energy usage and consider switching if:

• You’ve just bought an EV
  
• Your current tariff is a standard variable tariff
  
• You already charge at home and have a smart meter
  
• You have installed a battery storage unit
  

NOTE: Ensure you have a smart meter installed, as most EV tariffs require half-hourly data.

Do I Need a Smart Charger?

Most EV tariffs work best with a smart charger. This allows you to:

• Set timers to charge during off-peak hours
  
• Track usage in real-time
  
• Use apps (like Octopus or OVO) to automate charging when it’s cheapest
  

What Else Should You Look For?

When choosing an EV tariff, consider:

• Off-peak hours – Are they long enough for your charging needs?
  
• Standing charge – Some EV tariffs have higher daily standing charges which is the fee charged per day whether any energy is used or not
  
• Your overall usage – If you use lots of daytime power, higher peak rates might reduce savings

Export tariffs – If you also have solar panels, look for suppliers with good Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rates

Get an EV Charging Quote in the South-East

If you’re based in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, or Essex and want to combine solar panels with an EV charger, The Solar Co can help.

We’ll:

Help you cut your energy bills and drive greener

Design a tailored solar + EV charging system

Recommend the best tariff for your usage

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