Switching to an EV-specific energy tariff is the single easiest way to slash your home charging costs. The difference between a standard electricity rate and the best EV tariff can save you **£400–£500 per year** — and that's before you factor in running household appliances overnight too. But with Octopus, OVO, British Gas, E.ON, and others all competing for your business, choosing the right tariff can feel overwhelming. This guide compares every major UK EV tariff side by side, with verified rates as of March 2026, honest analysis, and clear recommendations.
⚡ The April 2026 update: From 1 April 2026, Ofgem's price cap drops the standard variable electricity rate to 24.67p/kWh. Several EV tariffs have also adjusted their rates — notably Intelligent Octopus Go, which has seen off-peak rates drop in some regions following the government's intervention on energy levies.
## The Big Comparison Table Here's every major UK EV tariff compared at a glance. All rates verified from supplier websites in March 2026.
TariffOff-Peak RateOff-Peak WindowPeak RateWhole-Home Benefit?Smart Scheduling?Charger Required
Intelligent Octopus Go8p/kWh11:30pm–5:30am~24.5p/kWh*✅ Yes✅ YesCompatible EV or Ohme charger
Octopus Go9.5p/kWh12:30am–5:30am~28p/kWh*✅ Yes❌ NoAny charger
British Gas EV Power+7.9p/kWhMidnight–5am~29p/kWh✅ Yes✅ Via Hive appHive EV charger
British Gas EV Power9p/kWhMidnight–5am~27p/kWh✅ Yes❌ NoAny charger
E.ON Next Drive Smart8.5p/kWhMidnight–6am~30.9p/kWh✅ Yes✅ YesCompatible EV & charger
E.ON Next Drive Fixed9.5p/kWhMidnight–6am~28p/kWh✅ Yes❌ NoAny charger
OVO Charge AnytimeFlat subscription†Any time (smart)Existing OVO rate❌ EV only✅ YesCompatible OVO charger
*\*Octopus peak rates vary by region. Figures shown are typical national averages.* *†OVO Charge Anytime uses a monthly subscription model rather than a per-kWh off-peak rate.* ## Each Tariff in Detail ### Intelligent Octopus Go — Our Top Pick **Off-peak rate: 8p/kWh | Window: 11:30pm–5:30am | Smart scheduling: Yes** 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 charger brands. It's our top recommendation for most UK EV drivers. The way it works is clever: you tell the Octopus app what time you need your car ready and what charge level you want. The system then automatically schedules your charging during the cheapest and greenest periods — primarily during the guaranteed off-peak window, but also at other cheap moments throughout the day if needed. You always pay the off-peak rate for smart-scheduled charging, regardless of when it actually happens. The 8p/kWh rate applies to your **entire home** during the off-peak window, not just your car. So your dishwasher, washing machine, and immersion heater all benefit too. **April 2026 rate changes:** Following the government's intervention on energy levies and the new Ofgem price cap, Octopus has confirmed rate reductions from 1 April. In some regions, the Intelligent Go overnight rate has dropped as low as 3.5p/kWh, though the standard advertised rate remains 8p/kWh nationally. Check the [Octopus rates page](https://octopus.energy/smart/go/rates/) for your specific region. **Compatible chargers:** The Ohme Home Pro and Ohme ePod are the most popular compatible chargers. Many EVs also connect directly — Tesla, Volkswagen, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, and others are supported. Check Octopus's full compatibility list before switching. **Best for:** Anyone with a compatible EV or an [Ohme Home Pro](/reviews/ohme-home-pro-review/) who wants the best combination of low rates and effortless smart scheduling. ### Octopus Go — Best for Simplicity **Off-peak rate: 9.5p/kWh | Window: 12:30am–5:30am | Smart scheduling: No** Octopus Go is the simpler sibling. No smart scheduling — you just set a timer on your car or wallbox to start at 12:30am. It works with **any EV and any charger**, making it the most accessible option on the market. The off-peak rate is slightly higher at 9.5p/kWh, but the trade-off is zero compatibility requirements. If your car isn't on the Intelligent Go compatibility list, or you'd rather use a non-Ohme charger, Octopus Go is the obvious fallback. The 5-hour off-peak window (12:30am–5:30am) is enough to fully charge most EVs from a typical daily depletion on a 7kW charger — you'll add around 35kWh in that window, which is more than most people need overnight. **Best for:** EV owners with any charger brand who want straightforward off-peak rates without compatibility requirements. ### British Gas EV Power+ — The Cheapest Off-Peak Rate **Off-peak rate: 7.9p/kWh | Window: Midnight–5am | Smart scheduling: Via Hive app** British Gas EV Power+ offers the lowest headline off-peak rate on the market at **7.9p/kWh**. The catch? You need a **Hive EV Charger** to access it. If you're already a British Gas customer, or you're happy to switch, and you don't mind being locked into the Hive ecosystem, this is an excellent deal. The Hive app handles smart scheduling, and the whole home benefits from the off-peak rate. British Gas also includes its **PeakSave** benefit: half-price electricity on Sunday afternoons (11am–4pm), which adds another layer of savings for households who can shift usage accordingly. **Best for:** British Gas customers with a Hive EV charger who want the absolute lowest per-kWh rate. ### British Gas EV Power — The No-Fuss Option **Off-peak rate: 9p/kWh | Window: Midnight–5am | Smart scheduling: No** The standard British Gas EV tariff offers 9p/kWh overnight with no restrictions on charger brand or EV model. Set a timer, charge overnight, save money. Simple. It's competitive with Octopus Go and arguably slightly better value at 9p versus 9.5p — though the off-peak window is half an hour shorter (5 hours versus 5 hours for Octopus Go). In practice, this rarely matters for daily overnight charging. **Best for:** Existing British Gas customers who want a competitive EV rate without changing their charger. ### E.ON Next Drive Smart — The Longest Off-Peak Window **Off-peak rate: 8.5p/kWh | Window: Midnight–6am | Smart scheduling: Yes** E.ON's smart EV tariff offers a **6-hour off-peak window** — the longest of any major tariff. That extra hour can make a meaningful difference for EVs with larger batteries, giving you up to 42kWh of charging per night on a 7kW charger. The 8.5p/kWh rate sits between Intelligent Octopus Go and Octopus Go, and the smart scheduling through the E.ON app works well. The tariff also comes with a free one-year subscription to Zoom EV for discounts on public charging. The peak rate is notably higher at ~30.9p/kWh, so households with significant daytime electricity usage should factor that in. **Best for:** Drivers with larger battery EVs who need a longer off-peak window, or those who prefer E.ON's ecosystem. ### E.ON Next Drive Fixed **Off-peak rate: 9.5p/kWh | Window: Midnight–6am | Smart scheduling: No** The simpler version of E.ON's tariff — same 6-hour window, slightly higher rate, but works with any EV and charger. No compatibility requirements. **Best for:** A solid alternative to Octopus Go with a longer off-peak window. ### OVO Charge Anytime — The Flexible Option **Rate: Monthly subscription | Window: Any time | Smart scheduling: Yes** OVO Charge Anytime works completely differently from the others. Instead of a fixed off-peak window, it's an **add-on** to your existing OVO tariff that uses smart technology to charge your car at the cheapest and greenest moments — at any time of day or night. OVO offers this as a flat monthly plan (from £59.50/month for the premium plan, which includes up to 175kWh of smart charging per month at a special rate). A PAYG option is also available. The key limitation: it's an **EV-only benefit**. Unlike the two-rate tariffs above, your home electricity stays on your existing OVO rate. And you must already be an OVO customer with a compatible smart charger. **Best for:** Existing OVO customers who don't want to switch supplier and prefer flexible charging times. ## Which Tariff Saves the Most Money? For an average UK driver doing 7,400 miles per year at a typical EV efficiency of 3.5 miles/kWh (requiring ~2,114 kWh of electricity annually):
TariffOff-Peak RateAnnual EV Charging CostSaving vs Standard Rate
Standard variable (Ofgem cap)24.67p/kWh£522—
British Gas EV Power+7.9p/kWh£167£355
Intelligent Octopus Go8p/kWh£169£353
E.ON Next Drive Smart8.5p/kWh£180£342
British Gas EV Power9p/kWh£190£332
Octopus Go / E.ON Next Drive Fixed9.5p/kWh£201£321
*These figures cover EV charging only. Two-rate tariffs also save money on overnight appliance usage, which can add £50–£150 per year.* The difference between the cheapest and most expensive EV tariff is only about £34 per year. The real gap is between **any** EV tariff and the standard variable rate — that's where the £300–£355 annual saving lives. ## Which Chargers Work With Which Tariffs? This matters more than most people realise. Here's the compatibility breakdown: **Works with ANY charger:** - Octopus Go - British Gas EV Power - E.ON Next Drive Fixed **Requires specific hardware:** - **Intelligent Octopus Go** → Compatible EV (Tesla, VW, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, etc.) OR an Ohme charger ([Ohme Home Pro](/reviews/ohme-home-pro-review/)) - **British Gas EV Power+** → Hive EV Charger - **E.ON Next Drive Smart** → Compatible EV and charger (check E.ON's list) - **OVO Charge Anytime** → Compatible smart charger on OVO's approved list If you haven't bought a charger yet, the [Ohme Home Pro](/reviews/ohme-home-pro-review/) is our top recommendation precisely because of its exceptional tariff compatibility — it works with Intelligent Octopus Go (the most popular tariff) and gives you the flexibility to switch tariffs in future. *For help choosing a charger, see our [Best Home EV Chargers UK 2026](/best-picks/best-home-ev-chargers-uk/) guide.* ## April 2026 Rate Changes — What's New? The Ofgem price cap effective 1 April 2026 has brought the standard variable electricity rate down to **24.67p/kWh** — a 6.7% reduction. This is partly driven by the government's decision to shift certain energy levies from electricity to gas, making electricity relatively cheaper. For EV tariffs specifically: - **Intelligent Octopus Go** has confirmed rate reductions in many regions. Some areas have seen off-peak rates as low as 3.5p/kWh, though the national advertised rate remains 8p/kWh. Day rates have also dropped to around 22.95p/kWh in some regions. - **Octopus Go** is offering regional variations — some customers report peak rates increasing while off-peak rates decrease. - **British Gas and E.ON** have not yet announced specific rate changes to their EV tariffs, but are expected to adjust in line with the new price cap. The direction of travel is clear: off-peak electricity is getting cheaper, making EV home charging even more attractive. Always check current rates directly with your supplier before switching. ## Our Recommendations **Best overall: Intelligent Octopus Go.** The combination of an 8p/kWh off-peak rate, excellent smart scheduling, wide EV/charger compatibility, and whole-home benefit makes this the best all-round choice. Pair it with an [Ohme Home Pro](/reviews/ohme-home-pro-review/) for the best experience. **Best for simplicity: Octopus Go.** Works with any charger, any EV. Set a timer and forget about it. The 1.5p premium over Intelligent Go amounts to about £32 more per year — worth it if your car isn't compatible with smart scheduling. **Cheapest off-peak rate: British Gas EV Power+.** At 7.9p/kWh, it's the cheapest per-kWh rate available. The trade-off is being locked into the Hive charger ecosystem. **Longest off-peak window: E.ON Next Drive Smart.** Six hours of off-peak charging gives you more flexibility, especially with larger battery EVs. **Most flexible: OVO Charge Anytime.** Charges at any time of day using smart scheduling, but works as an add-on to your existing OVO tariff rather than a standalone two-rate plan. Regardless of which you choose, the most important thing is to **switch away from a standard variable tariff**. Any EV tariff will save you £300+ per year — the differences between them are secondary. --- ## FAQs ### Do I need a smart meter for an EV tariff? Yes — every EV tariff listed here requires a smart meter capable of half-hourly readings (SMETS2, or a compatible SMETS1). If you don't have one, your energy supplier is legally required to install one free of charge on request. Most installations take about 30 minutes. ### Can I switch EV tariffs easily? Yes. Switching between energy suppliers and tariffs is straightforward in the UK. There are no exit fees on most EV tariffs (E.ON and Octopus are both exit-fee-free), and the switch typically takes 2–3 weeks. You can switch online without any disruption to your electricity supply. ### Are EV tariffs worth it if I work from home? It depends on your daytime usage. EV tariffs typically have higher peak (daytime) rates — often 28–31p/kWh versus 24.67p on the standard cap. If you use a lot of electricity during the day, the higher peak rate could offset some of your overnight savings. Calculate your full household costs across all hours before switching. ### What happens if I charge my EV during peak hours? You'll pay the peak rate, which is typically 25–31p/kWh depending on the tariff. Smart tariffs (Intelligent Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive Smart) avoid this by automatically scheduling charging during off-peak hours. On non-smart tariffs, you need to set a timer manually to avoid peak-rate charging. ### Can I have an EV tariff without a home charger? Technically yes — you could charge from a three-pin plug during off-peak hours. But a 3-pin socket only delivers about 2.3kW, meaning you'd add just 11.5kWh in a 5-hour off-peak window — enough for about 40 miles. A 7kW [home charger](/best-picks/best-home-ev-chargers-uk/) triples that to 35kWh, and makes off-peak charging far more practical. Plus, the [OZEV grant](/guides/ev-charger-government-grant-uk/) covers up to £350 of installation costs. --- *See also: [How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV?](/guides/ev-charging-cost-uk-2026/) · [How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV?](/guides/ev-charging-time-guide/) · [Ohme Home Pro Review](/reviews/ohme-home-pro-review/) · [Best Home EV Chargers UK](/best-picks/best-home-ev-chargers-uk/)*

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