The single biggest way to cut your Tesla running costs is switching to an EV electricity tariff. These tariffs offer drastically reduced overnight rates — from 6.99p to 9p/kWh — compared to the standard Ofgem cap rate of 24.67p/kWh. For a typical Tesla driver doing 200 miles a week, that is the difference between £693/year and under £253/year.
We have compared every major UK EV tariff available in April 2026 with real, verified rates. Here is what each provider actually charges.
All UK EV tariffs compared (April 2026)
| Tariff | Off-peak rate | Off-peak window | Day rate | Standing charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | 11PM–6AM (7hrs) | Standard variable | Standard |
| Intelligent Octopus Go | 8p/kWh | 11:30PM–5:30AM (6hrs) | 33.75p/kWh | 44.93p/day |
| E.ON Next Drive v22 | 9p/kWh (8p via app) | 12AM–6AM (6hrs) | 29.47p/kWh | 60p/day |
| ScottishPower EV Saver | 8.5p/kWh | 12AM–5AM (5hrs) | Standard variable | Standard |
| British Gas EV | 9p/kWh | 12AM–5AM (5hrs) | Standard variable | Standard |
| OVO Charge Anytime | Monthly plans from £27.50/mo or PAYG at 14p/kWh (see below) | |||
Rates verified April 2026. Standing charges and day rates labelled "standard" follow the Ofgem cap. Always confirm the latest rates directly with the provider before switching.
Annual EV charging cost by tariff
Based on a Tesla Model Y Long Range doing 200 miles/week at 3.7 mi/kWh efficiency (2,811 kWh/year for EV charging), assuming all charging is done during off-peak hours:
| Tariff | EV rate | Annual EV cost | Saving vs Ofgem cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Ofgem rate | 24.67p/kWh | £693 | — |
| EDF GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | £197 | £497/year |
| Intelligent Octopus Go | 8p/kWh | £225 | £468/year |
| E.ON Next Drive (via app) | 8p/kWh | £225 | £468/year |
| ScottishPower EV Saver | 8.5p/kWh | £239 | £454/year |
| E.ON Next Drive (off-peak) | 9p/kWh | £253 | £440/year |
| British Gas EV | 9p/kWh | £253 | £440/year |
| OVO PAYG smart charging | 14p/kWh | £394 | £300/year |
| OVO Standard plan | £27.50/mo flat | £330 | £363/year |
The cheapest per-kWh rate is EDF GoElectric at 6.99p, saving nearly £500/year vs the Ofgem cap. Over three years of Tesla ownership, that is £1,490 saved — enough to pay for a home charger installation.
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Calculate your exact savings with an EV tariff →1. EDF GoElectric — cheapest per-kWh rate
EDF GoElectric has the lowest overnight rate of any UK EV tariff at just 6.99p/kWh between 11PM and 6AM — a generous 7-hour window. That is enough to add over 200 miles of range on a 7kW home charger in a single overnight session.
It is a one-year fixed-price tariff, locking in your rate for 12 months. EDF also offers a Smart Charging bolt-on that pays you £60/year just for plugging in. At 6.99p, a full charge on a Model Y Long Range costs just £5.38.
EDF advertise that you can drive a 20-mile commute for as little as 40p — and the maths checks out.
2. Intelligent Octopus Go — best smart charging
Intelligent Octopus Go offers 8p/kWh between 11:30PM and 5:30AM (6 hours). The day rate is 33.75p/kWh with a standing charge of 44.93p/day (£164/year).
What sets Octopus apart is their smart chargingintegration. Tesla is directly compatible — Octopus communicates with your car to schedule charging during the cheapest and greenest grid periods within your off-peak window. You just set your departure time and it handles the rest.
This is a 12-month fixed tariff, locking in your rates. For most Tesla drivers with a home charger, Intelligent Octopus Go offers the best balance of low rate, long off-peak window, and smart charging integration.
Note: The standing charge (44.93p/day) is the lowest of any EV tariff in this comparison — £55/year cheaper than E.ON's standing charge.
3. E.ON Next Drive Fixed v22 — longest effective off-peak
E.ON Next Drive has a standard off-peak rate of 9p/kWh between midnight and 6AM. But here is the clever part: whenever you schedule charging via the E.ON Next Home app, your electricity is billed at 8p/kWh — even outside the off-peak window.
This effectively gives you the longest off-peak window on the market — any time you are smart-charging, you pay 8p. The daytime rate for non-EV usage is 29.47p/kWh.
The standing charge is 60p/day (£219/year) — the highest in this comparison and £55/year more than Octopus. Factor this in when comparing total costs. E.ON works best for drivers with unpredictable schedules who cannot always charge overnight.
4. ScottishPower EV Saver — simple overnight rate
ScottishPower EV Saver offers an overnight rate of 8.5p/kWh between midnight and 5AM (5 hours). It includes 100% green electricity and energy tracking via the ScottishPower app.
The 5-hour window is slightly shorter than Octopus (6 hours) or EDF (7 hours), but still adds approximately 150 miles of range on a 7kW charger — comfortably enough for most daily driving.
5. British Gas EV — easiest to switch
British Gas EV tariff offers 9p/kWh between midnight and 5AM. While not the cheapest rate, British Gas is the UK's largest energy supplier and switching is straightforward — existing customers can switch via their online account in minutes.
If you already have a British Gas smart meter, this is the lowest-friction way to start saving on EV charging.
6. OVO Charge Anytime — fixed monthly plans
OVO takes a different approach — instead of a per-kWh rate, they offer fixed monthly plans that include a set number of miles:
| Plan | Monthly cost | Miles included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | £27.50 | 700 mi/month | ~8,000 mi/year |
| Premium | £37.50 | 1,000 mi/month | ~12,000 mi/year |
| Standard Plus | £59.50 | 1,400 mi/month | Multi-car / ~16,000 mi |
| Premium Plus | £79.50 | 2,000 mi/month | Multi-car / ~24,000 mi |
| Pay As You Go | ~4p/mile | Unlimited | Low mileage drivers |
All plans include smart charging any time of day (OVO picks the cheapest grid periods), a public charging voucher worth up to £240, and EV Charger Cover. Premium adds a battery health test worth £55 and 15% off KwikFit tyres. No long-term contract — you can switch or cancel monthly.
The PAYG option discounts your home electricity to 14p/kWh for smart charging, which is cheaper than the Ofgem cap but more expensive than overnight-only tariffs. It works best for very low-mileage drivers or those without a predictable charging schedule.
For a driver doing 200 miles/week (~10,400 mi/year), the Premium plan at £37.50/month (£450/year) is the best fit — but is more expensive than a per-kWh tariff. The OVO advantage is convenience: charge any time, no need to schedule around off-peak windows.
Standing charges: the hidden cost
Standing charges vary significantly between providers and affect your total bill regardless of how much electricity you use:
- Intelligent Octopus Go: 44.93p/day (£164/year) — the lowest
- E.ON Next Drive: 60p/day (£219/year) — the highest
- Ofgem cap (standard): ~57p/day (£208/year)
That £55/year difference between Octopus and E.ON almost wipes out E.ON's 1p/kWh advantage via their app. When comparing tariffs, always factor in the standing charge — it is easy to overlook.
Day rate warning: check before you switch
EV tariffs often have higher daytime rates than the standard Ofgem cap. The biggest offender is Intelligent Octopus Go at 33.75p/kWh during the day — that is 9p/kWh more than the Ofgem cap of 24.67p.
If your household uses a lot of electricity during the day (working from home, electric heating, tumble dryer), a higher day rate could offset your overnight EV savings. Run the numbers on your actual usage before switching. E.ON's day rate of 29.47p/kWh is the most competitive among EV tariffs with confirmed rates.
How to switch
- Get a smart meter — all EV tariffs require one. Your current provider will install one for free if you do not have one yet.
- Check your day usage — look at your annual consumption split between day and night on your smart meter data. If you use significantly more during the day, a tariff with a lower day rate (E.ON at 29.47p) may beat one with the cheapest overnight rate.
- Switch provider — the switch typically takes 2–3 weeks. There are no exit fees on most standard variable tariffs. Fixed tariffs may have early exit fees.
- Schedule charging — set your Tesla to charge during the off-peak window via the Tesla app (Charging → Schedule). For Intelligent Octopus Go, use the Octopus app to set a departure time and it handles scheduling for you.
A 7kW home charger adds roughly 30 miles per hour. Even the shortest off-peak window (5 hours on British Gas or ScottishPower) gives you 150 miles of range — more than enough for most daily driving.
Our verdict
Best overall: EDF GoElectric — lowest per-kWh rate (6.99p), longest off-peak window (7 hours), fixed for 12 months, and a potential £60/year smart charging bonus.
Best smart charging: Intelligent Octopus Go — 8p/kWh, lowest standing charge, excellent Tesla integration, and automatic scheduling.
Best for flexible schedules: E.ON Next Drive — 8p/kWh any time you smart-charge via the app, not just overnight. Ideal if you cannot always charge between midnight and 6AM.
Best for convenience: OVO Charge Anytime — fixed monthly cost, charge any time, no need to schedule. Best if you value simplicity over getting the absolute lowest rate.
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Which is the cheapest EV tariff in the UK?
EDF GoElectric at 6.99p/kWh (11PM–6AM) is the cheapest per-kWh rate as of April 2026. Intelligent Octopus Go (8p/kWh) is a close second with the lowest standing charge. E.ON Next Drive offers 8p via their app at any time of day.
Do I need a home charger for an EV tariff?
You do not need a dedicated home charger — you can charge using a 3-pin plug (granny charger) on an EV tariff. However, a 7kW wall charger is strongly recommended: it charges roughly 3× faster, meaning you can fully utilise a 5-hour off-peak window to add 150+ miles of range.
Can I use an EV tariff if I do not have a Tesla?
Yes — EV tariffs work with any electric vehicle, not just Teslas. The only requirement is a smart meter. Some tariffs (Intelligent Octopus Go, E.ON smart charging) require a compatible charger or vehicle for the lowest rates.
How much can I save with an EV tariff vs standard electricity?
A typical Tesla driver covering 200 miles/week saves £440–£497 per year by switching from the Ofgem cap (24.67p/kWh) to an EV tariff (6.99–9p/kWh). Over three years, that is £1,320–£1,490 saved.
What about standing charges — do they change when I switch?
Yes. Standing charges vary significantly: Intelligent Octopus Go charges 44.93p/day (£164/year) while E.ON charges 60p/day (£219/year). This £55/year difference matters — always compare total cost, not just the per-kWh rate.