An EV tariff can make home charging considerably cheaper by offering a lower electricity rate overnight or when the supplier schedules your car to charge.
The best EV tariff is not necessarily the one with the lowest advertised rate. You also need to compare the length of the cheaper period, daytime rates, standing charges and whether the tariff works with your car or charger.
This guide compares the main EV tariffs available in the UK, including their current charging rates, eligibility requirements and the types of driver they are likely to suit.
Which EV tariff is likely to suit you?
Best for automatic smart charging: Intelligent Octopus Go. It offers six hours of cheaper whole-home electricity every night and automatically schedules compatible cars or chargers when electricity is expected to be cheaper.
Best for a long, fixed charging window: EDF GoElectric. Its seven-hour overnight period is longer than most alternatives and works with any EV and charger.
Best without compatibility restrictions: EDF GoElectric, E.ON Next Drive, British Gas EV Power or Octopus Go. These use fixed charging windows rather than connecting directly to a particular car or charger.
Best for keeping the rest of your home on a normal tariff: OVO Charge Anytime. Its monthly plans cover eligible smart EV charging separately rather than giving the whole home an overnight rate.
Best for fixed prices without an exit fee: E.ON Next Drive or Next Drive Smart.
Best for renewable electricity: Good Energy EV Charge offers five cheaper hours overnight and matches customers’ electricity use with renewable power bought from independent generators.
The right option depends on how often you charge, how much electricity the rest of your home uses during the day and whether you want fixed charging times or automatic scheduling.
Why can an EV tariff reduce charging costs?
From 1 July to 30 September 2026, the average price-capped electricity rate for a household paying by Direct Debit is 26.11p per kWh. Leading EV tariffs currently offer cheaper charging rates between approximately 7p and 9p per kWh.
That difference can reduce the cost of charging at home substantially, provided most charging takes place during the cheaper periods.
There are three main types of EV tariff.
Fixed-window tariffs
These give your whole home cheaper electricity during set overnight hours.
You can normally plug the car in when you arrive home and use the car or charger timer to delay charging until the cheaper rate begins. EDF GoElectric, E.ON Next Drive, British Gas EV Power, Good Energy EV Charge and Octopus Go follow this general structure.
The cheaper rate also applies to other household electricity used during the same window. You may therefore be able to run appliances, heat a hot water cylinder or charge a home battery at the lower rate.
Intelligent charging tariffs
These connect to a compatible car or charger and allow the supplier to schedule charging automatically.
You tell the app when the car needs to be ready and how much charge it needs. The supplier then chooses suitable charging periods.
Intelligent Octopus Go and E.ON Next Drive Smart are examples. They offer guaranteed overnight rates but can also schedule charging outside the normal window.
EV-only charging plans
These separate eligible EV charging from the rest of the home’s electricity use.
OVO Charge Anytime follows this approach. You can choose a monthly plan covering a set amount of smart home charging, while the rest of the property remains on its normal OVO tariff.
This may suit drivers who want predictable EV charging costs but do not need cheaper overnight electricity for the rest of the home.
Best EV tariffs compared
Tariff details were checked on 19 July 2026. Day rates and standing charges often vary by region, so confirm the complete quote for your postcode before switching.
| Tariff | Cheaper rate | Cheaper period | Applies to | Main requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Go | 8p/kWh | 11:30pm to 5:30am, plus smart slots | Whole home in core hours and eligible smart charging | Compatible car or charger |
| EDF GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | 11pm to 6am | Whole home | EV and communicating smart meter |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | 8p/kWh | Midnight to 6am, plus smart slots | Whole home | Compatible car and charger |
| E.ON Next Drive | 9p/kWh | Midnight to 6am | Whole home | EV and communicating smart meter |
| British Gas EV Power | 9p/kWh | Midnight to 5am | Whole home | EV and communicating smart meter |
| Good Energy EV Charge | 8p/kWh | Midnight to 5am | Whole home | EV and communicating smart meter |
| OVO Charge Anytime | From £27.50 a month | Smart scheduled | EV charging only | Compatible car or charger |
EDF currently advertises GoElectric rates from 6.99p per kWh for seven hours between 11pm and 6am. E.ON Next Drive provides six hours at 9p per kWh, while Next Drive Smart reduces this to 8p per kWh for eligible setups.
British Gas EV Power provides five hours at 9p per kWh and works with any make of EV and charger. Good Energy also offers five overnight hours at 8p per kWh.
Is Intelligent Octopus Go the best EV tariff?
Intelligent Octopus Go is likely to be one of the best EV tariffs for drivers with a compatible car or charger who want charging to be managed automatically.
It provides six hours of cheaper whole-home electricity every night from 11:30pm to 5:30am. Octopus can also schedule up to six hours of smart EV charging each day, including periods outside the guaranteed overnight window. Eligible smart charging is billed at 8p per kWh.
This combination makes it attractive when:
- you charge regularly at home
- your car or charger is compatible
- you do not need to control the exact charging start time
- you can move other household use into the overnight period
- you have a battery that can also charge overnight
The main limitation is compatibility. Octopus needs to connect to an eligible car or charger through its app.
There is also a limit of six hours of smart charging per day. If the car needs longer, additional charging may be billed at the day rate. Immediate boost charging is also charged at the day rate.
Intelligent Octopus Go may therefore be less suitable when:
- your car and charger are not supported
- you regularly need more than six hours of charging
- you often need to charge immediately
- you prefer a fixed overnight window without an app connection
EDF GoElectric may be the stronger alternative when you want a predictable seven-hour period that works with any EV and charger. E.ON Next Drive may also suit drivers who want a simple six-hour window without compatibility restrictions.
See our Intelligent Octopus Go guide for the current tariff rates in your area, smart-charging rules, eligibility and more.
Other EV tariffs compared
EDF GoElectric
EDF GoElectric currently provides seven hours of cheaper whole-home electricity between 11pm and 6am, with rates from 6.99p per kWh.
The long window is its biggest advantage. A typical 7kW home charger can add close to 49kWh during seven hours, although the actual amount depends on the car, charger and charging losses.
It works with any EV and home charger because the tariff does not need to control the charging session. You simply set the charging schedule through the car or charger.
EDF describes GoElectric as a fixed tariff, but an exit fee applies if you leave during the fixed term. Check the regional day rate, standing charge and exact contract conditions before switching.
E.ON Next Drive and Next Drive Smart
E.ON offers two similar EV tariffs.
Next Drive provides whole-home electricity at 9p per kWh between midnight and 6am and works without a smart car or charger connection.
Next Drive Smart reduces the overnight rate to 8p per kWh. It requires a compatible EV and charger and can provide the same cheaper rate during additional smart-charging periods arranged through the E.ON Next app.
Both are currently fixed for 12 months and have no exit fees.
Next Drive is the simpler option. Next Drive Smart may save slightly more when your equipment is compatible and you are comfortable allowing E.ON to schedule charging.
British Gas EV Power
British Gas EV Power provides whole-home electricity at 9p per kWh between midnight and 5am.
It works with any make of electric car and home charger, making it one of the more accessible fixed-window tariffs. The cheaper rate can also be used for appliances and other household electricity during those five hours.
Customers with a compatible charger may be able to add Hive Power+, which gives a further discount on eligible EV charging. British Gas currently describes the combined equivalent charging rate as 6.75p per kWh.
The five-hour period is shorter than EDF and E.ON, so check whether it provides enough time for your usual charging needs.
Good Energy EV Charge
Good Energy EV Charge provides five hours at 8p per kWh between midnight and 5am.
The cheaper rate applies across the home, and the tariff is open to households with an electric vehicle. Good Energy matches customers’ electricity use with power purchased from independent renewable generators.
It may appeal to drivers who value Good Energy’s approach to renewable sourcing, but the total annual cost still depends on the daytime rate and standing charge.
Octopus Go
Octopus Go is the simpler alternative to Intelligent Octopus Go.
It provides a fixed five-hour cheaper period and works with any EV or charger. There is no need to connect the car or charger to the Octopus app for automatic scheduling.
It is likely to suit drivers whose equipment is not compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go or who simply want to set a timer and charge during the same period every night.
See our Octopus Go guide for the current tariff rates in your area, off-peak hours, eligibility and how it compares with Intelligent Octopus Go.
OVO Charge Anytime
OVO Charge Anytime is different from a normal two-rate tariff.
Its monthly plans cover a set amount of eligible smart EV charging while the rest of the home remains on its normal OVO electricity tariff.
The current plans include:
- £27.50 a month for up to 175kWh of smart home charging
- £37.50 a month for up to 250kWh
- larger plans for higher-mileage drivers
The two lower plans also include annual public-charging credit. Electricity used beyond the monthly allowance or during urgent charging is billed at the normal home tariff rate.
Charge Anytime may suit drivers who want predictable car-charging costs without moving the rest of their household electricity onto a time-of-use tariff.
However, it does not give you a cheaper whole-home window for appliances, a battery or electric heating.
How much could an EV tariff save?
Consider a driver covering 8,000 miles a year in an EV that averages 3.5 miles per kWh.
The car would need approximately 2,286kWh of electricity each year.
At the July to September 2026 average price-cap rate of 26.11p per kWh, that electricity would cost approximately £597.
At an overnight EV tariff rate of 7p per kWh, it would cost approximately £160.
That is an illustrative saving of around £437 a year on charging alone, assuming all the charging takes place at the cheaper rate.
Your actual saving will depend on:
- annual mileage
- vehicle efficiency
- charging losses
- how much charging happens off-peak
- the tariff’s daytime rate
- the standing charge
- the tariff you are leaving
A whole-home EV tariff may provide additional savings if you can move appliances or battery charging into the cheaper period. However, a higher daytime rate can reduce the benefit, particularly in homes with high daytime electricity use.
Which tariff suits your driving and home?
You drive regularly and have compatible equipment
Intelligent Octopus Go is likely to be one of the strongest choices. Its smart scheduling provides more flexibility than a fixed overnight window, while the guaranteed six-hour period gives the whole home access to cheaper electricity.
E.ON Next Drive Smart is another option if your setup is compatible and you prefer a fixed 12-month tariff.
You want a simple overnight window
EDF GoElectric offers the longest fixed window among the main tariffs compared here.
E.ON Next Drive, British Gas EV Power, Good Energy EV Charge and Octopus Go are also straightforward options that do not rely on an intelligent connection to a specific car or charger.
Compare the complete day rate and standing charge before deciding.
You use a lot of electricity during the day
Pay close attention to the daytime rate.
A very low overnight price can be cancelled out if the tariff charges considerably more for electricity during the rest of the day. This is particularly important if you work from home, use electric heating or run energy-intensive equipment during daytime hours.
You have an EV and a heat pump
You will need to decide which device should shape the tariff.
An EV tariff may be stronger when most flexible electricity use comes from overnight car charging. A dedicated heat pump tariff may work better when heating is the larger load and you need several cheaper periods across the day.
Our guide to the best heat pump tariffs in the UK compares the main options.
You have solar panels or a home battery
An EV tariff can allow you to charge a home battery overnight and use the stored electricity during more expensive daytime periods.
If you export solar electricity, compare the compatible export tariffs as well. Intelligent Octopus Go can currently be combined with Outgoing Octopus, Agile Outgoing or Octopus SEG.
Our guide to the best solar export tariffs in the UK compares export rates and eligibility across the market.
You cannot charge reliably at home
An EV tariff may provide little benefit if most of your charging happens at public chargers or at work.
The main value comes from moving a significant amount of home charging into the cheaper periods. Without regular access to a home charger, compare public and workplace charging options instead.
What to check before switching
Your smart meter
The main EV tariffs require a smart meter that can provide half-hourly readings.
Check that your meter is communicating properly. A supplier may ask you to join one of its standard tariffs first while it connects to the meter and confirms eligibility.
Car and charger compatibility
Fixed-window tariffs generally work with any EV and charger.
Intelligent tariffs need to connect to a supported car or charger. Check the supplier’s current compatibility list before starting the switch.
Day and night rates
Do not compare only the overnight price.
Estimate how much electricity the car and home will use during both periods. Include the standing charge when comparing the estimated annual cost.
Length of the charging window
A five-hour window may be enough for normal top-ups but not for regularly charging a large battery from a low state of charge.
A longer window can be more valuable than saving an additional penny per kWh.
Whole-home or EV-only discount
Check whether cheaper electricity applies to everything in the home or only to smart EV charging.
Whole-home pricing can benefit appliances and batteries. An EV-only plan may be simpler if the rest of your household use cannot be moved overnight.
Exit fees and contract length
Some tariffs fix their rates for one or two years and charge an exit fee for leaving early. Others have no exit fee.
Once you have selected a tariff, our guide to switching energy supplier explains the practical process.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best EV tariff in the UK?
Intelligent Octopus Go is likely to be one of the best options for drivers with compatible equipment who want automatic smart charging.
EDF GoElectric may be better when you want a simple seven-hour overnight window that works with any EV and charger.
The best tariff for your home depends on the day rate, standing charge, compatibility and how much charging you can move into the cheaper period.
What is the cheapest EV tariff?
EDF GoElectric currently advertises rates from 6.99p per kWh between 11pm and 6am.
The lowest overnight rate does not necessarily produce the lowest total bill. Compare the tariff’s daytime rate, standing charge, contract length and exit fee as well.
Do I need a smart meter for an EV tariff?
Yes, for the main EV tariffs covered in this guide.
The supplier needs half-hourly readings to separate electricity used during the cheaper and more expensive periods.
Does the cheaper rate apply to the whole house?
It depends on the tariff.
EDF GoElectric, Intelligent Octopus Go’s core overnight window, E.ON Next Drive, British Gas EV Power, Good Energy EV Charge and Octopus Go provide cheaper whole-home electricity during their set off-peak periods.
OVO Charge Anytime applies its allowance or discount to eligible smart EV charging rather than all household electricity.
Do I need a compatible car or charger?
Only for intelligent tariffs that control the charging session.
Intelligent Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive Smart and OVO Charge Anytime require compatible equipment. Fixed-window options such as EDF GoElectric, E.ON Next Drive and British Gas EV Power are less restrictive.
Should I choose an EV tariff or heat pump tariff?
Choose according to where most of your flexible electricity use comes from.
An EV tariff may be better when you charge a car regularly overnight. A heat pump tariff may suit you better when heating is the larger load and cheaper periods spread throughout the day are more useful.
Can I use an EV tariff with solar panels?
Yes.
You can use cheap overnight electricity to charge your car or home battery, then use solar generation during the day. Check that your chosen EV tariff is compatible with the export tariff paying for electricity sent back to the grid.