Staying on a standard variable rate and charging an EV overnight is one of the most common ways UK EV owners overpay. Every major supplier now offers a cheap overnight window built for EV charging — the rates and conditions vary more than you'd expect, though.
~7–9p
typical off-peak EV rate, per kWh
26.11p
Ofgem price cap standard rate, for comparison
How the main tariffs compare
| Tariff | Off-peak rate | Window | Needs a compatible charger? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Go | 8p/kWh | 23:30–05:30 (6h, extends further when it schedules a smart charge) | Yes — one of ~280 EV/charger combinations |
| Octopus Go (standard) | ~9.5p/kWh | 00:30–05:30 (5h) | No — works with any EV or charger |
| EDF GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | 23:00–06:00 (7h) | No — cheapest headline rate, but you manage charging times yourself |
| E.ON Next Drive | ~8p/kWh | 00:00–06:00 (6h) | Yes — specific compatible EV/charger required |
| British Gas EV tariff | ~8p/kWh | 00:00–05:00 (5h) | Usually needs a Hive EV charger |
| ScottishPower EV Saver | 8.5p/kWh | 00:00–05:00 (5h) | No, but has an exit fee if you leave early |
What to check before switching
- Does your charger/EV need to be "compatible"? Smart tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go control charging automatically via your car or charger's own app connection — check the supplier's compatibility list before switching, or you may only get the standard (non-smart) version of that tariff.
- What happens to your whole house's electricity, not just the car? Most of these are whole-home tariffs — your day rate for everything else usually rises slightly to fund the cheap overnight window, so the saving is about your total bill, not just charging.
- Smart meter required. Every tariff above needs a working smart meter sending half-hourly readings — an old-style smart meter stuck in "dumb mode" won't qualify.
- Exit fees and lock-ins. Fixed-rate tariffs can carry an exit fee if you switch away early (ScottishPower's is currently £50) — check before committing if you might move house or switch supplier soon.
Rates, windows and compatibility lists change often and vary by region — treat this table as a starting shortlist, not a live price comparison, and check each supplier's own site for your postcode before switching.