EV charging tariff warning

EV Charging Expert: E.ON, OVO, and Octopus customers warned to switch or lose out on £375
A new warning from an EV charging expert reveals that 292,500 Brits on major UK energy providers including OVO, E.ON, and British Gas could be overpaying by as much as £375 a year by not switching to dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging tariffs this year.

George Penny, EV Charging Expert and Director at The Solar Co warns:

“Electric Vehicle ownership is surging and as of June 2025, there are now 1.55 million electric vehicles (EVs) registered across the UK.

In just the first 6 months of 2025, around 225,000 new EVs were registered. If this trend continues, we could see a total of 450,000 new EVs on the road by the end of the year.

However, 65% of Brits don’t have a fixed energy tariff in the UK. That means roughly 292,500 households that have bought an EV this year, or are about to, could be on the wrong EV energy tariff – potentially overpaying by up to £374.80 a year.

And now, with the UK Government’s new EV cash grant available to help cover upfront costs for EV buyers, it’s more important than ever that drivers pair this incentive with the right energy tariff – or risk cancelling out those savings entirely.”

The table below shows how much a typical 60kWh EV charge costs on the leading smart EV tariffs, compared with standard electricity rates:

OVO, E.ON, British Gas, Scottish Power and Octopus customers warned to switch or lose up to £375 annually

*Based on comparing standard-variable rates with tariffs for existing customers. Calculations based on an average 60KW EV travelling 8000 miles annually with energy efficiency of 4 miles per kWh. The annual cost of charging an EV at the standard variable rate of 25.44p per kWh was calculated to be £508.80.

“With current smart off-peak tariffs ranging from 6.7p (E.on Next (Next Drive v9) to 10p/kWh (Scottish Power, EV Optimise), charging a 60 kWh EV overnight costs between £4.00 and £6.00, depending on the provider. This equates to around 2–3.6p per mile, assuming average efficiency.

Those on a standard variable rate with E.on could be overpaying by £374.80 by not switching to the Next Drive v9 EV tariff, whilst OVO customers could save up to £368.80 a year by moving to the Charge Anytime tariff. Similarly, Octopus Energy users could be missing out on annual savings of £368.80 by not opting for the Intelligent Octopus Go plan. 

Meanwhile, British Gas customers could cut their yearly EV charging costs by £350.80 with the Electric Driver v16 tariff. In the same vein, EDF users may be overpaying by up to £329 by not switching to the GoElectric plan. Even Scottish Power customers, despite facing the highest off-peak rate on this list, could still save £308.80 a year by switching to the EV Optimise tariff.

Overall, switching to a smart EV tariff isn’t just a smart move – it’s essential if you want to avoid throwing away thousands each year. By moving to an off-peak or EV-specific plan, you could cut your EV charging costs by over 80% compared to public charging stations or standard variable electricity rates. 

With fuel prices still high and more EVs hitting the road every month, the cost of inaction on energy tariffs is growing. Switching can take just minutes, and most tariffs only require a compatible smart meter and EV charger.”

Scott Byrom, CEO of The Energy Shop shares three tips on how to switch to an EV-specific tariff

Once you’ve chosen a tariff, begin the switching process – it usually takes five days and includes a 14-day cool-off period should you change your mind. Then, use your supplier’s app or your vehicle settings to schedule charging during off-peak times to maximise savings.

Start by checking your current tariff to confirm whether you are on the standard variable rate – this can be done via a recent bill or your energy account. If you’ve never switched, you will automatically be on your energy supplier’s “standard variable tariff”. 

Next, compare EV tariffs using an Ofgem-accredited energy switching website such as Uswitch, GoCompare or The Energy Shop. Look for plans with cheap off-peak rates (as low as 7–12p/kWh overnight). 

Based in Bromley, George Penny is the Director of The Solar Co. He has a passion for leading the UK’s transition to efficient and reliable renewable solutions for households and businesses alike. 

About The Solar Co

The Solar Co is a leading UK-based renewable energy installer specialising in solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging solutions for residential, commercial, and new-build properties. Serving London and the South East, including areas like Bromley, Kent, and Croydon, the company is committed to helping customers reduce energy bills and carbon footprints through high-quality, MCS-certified installations.

With a focus on customer education and support, The Solar Co offers an interactive savings calculator, transparent consultations, and assistance with grant applications.