Best EV Electricity Tariffs UK 2026: Octopus, British Gas, E.ON & More

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 8p 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)

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:

The difference between the cheapest (Octopus/E.ON at 8p) and the most expensive per-kWh tariff (British Gas at 9p) is just £28/year — all of these tariffs save you roughly £440–£468/year vs the Ofgem cap. The real differences come down to day rates, standing charges, and the switching experience.

1. British Gas EV — easiest switch + £50 bonus

British Gas EV tariff offers 9p/kWh between midnight and 5AM. At just 1p/kWh more than Octopus (a £28/year difference), the overnight rate difference is negligible for most drivers.

Where British Gas stands out:

• Standard day rate — unlike Octopus (33.75p) or E.ON (29.47p), British Gas uses the Ofgem cap rate for daytime electricity (~24.67p). If you use a lot of electricity during the day (working from home, electric heating), this can save you more than the 1p/kWh you "lose" on the overnight rate.
• Standard standing charge — follows the Ofgem cap (~57p/day), not the inflated 60p/day charged by E.ON.
• UK's largest supplier — 8 million+ customers, strong customer service, and a straightforward online switching experience.
• No special hardware required — just a smart meter. No need for a specific charger brand or compatible EV app integration.
• £50 sign-up bonus — switch using a referral link and both you and the referrer get a £50 Amazon gift card (£25 if switching just electricity). Details below.

For Tesla drivers who use electricity during the day, British Gas can actually work out cheaper overall than Octopus despite the higher overnight rate — because of the lower day rate. A household using 2,700 kWh during the day saves £244/year on day rate vs Octopus (24.67p vs 33.75p), far more than the £28/year difference on overnight EV charging.

2. Intelligent Octopus Go — best per-kWh rate

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. The standing charge (44.93p/day) is the lowest of any EV tariff in this comparison.

The catch: The day rate of 33.75p/kWh is 9p more than the Ofgem cap. If your household uses significant daytime electricity, this can wipe out the overnight savings. For households with low daytime usage, Octopus is hard to beat on per-kWh overnight rate.

3. E.ON Next Drive Fixed v22 — charge anytime at 8p

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 catch: The standing charge is 60p/day (£219/year) — the highest in this comparison and £55/year more than Octopus. That almost wipes out E.ON's per-kWh advantage. E.ON works best for drivers with unpredictable schedules who cannot always charge overnight.

4. ScottishPower EV Saver — simple and green

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. Standard day rate and standing charge.

The 5-hour window is slightly shorter than Octopus (6 hours), but still adds approximately 150 miles of range on a 7kW charger — comfortably enough for most daily driving.

5. 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:

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.

The real cost: day rates and standing charges

The overnight rate is only part of the picture. Your total energy bill depends on day rate and standing charge too:

For a household using the UK average of 2,700 kWh daytime electricity per year, the day rate difference is significant:

• British Gas / ScottishPower: £666/year on day electricity
• E.ON: £796/year (+£130 vs British Gas)
• Octopus: £911/year (+£244 vs British Gas)

So while Octopus saves you £28/year on overnight EV charging vs British Gas, it costs you £244/year more on daytime electricity — a net loss of £216/year for an average household. This is why looking at overnight rate alone can be misleading.

How to switch

1. Get a smart meter — all EV tariffs require one. Your current provider will install one for free if you do not have one yet.
2. Check your day usage — look at your annual consumption split between day and night on your smart meter data. High daytime usage? A tariff with a standard day rate (British Gas, ScottishPower) will likely save you more overall.
3. 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.
4. Schedule charging — set your Tesla to charge during the off-peak window via the Tesla app (Charging → Schedule).

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 value: British Gas EV — 9p/kWh overnight with a standard day rate and standing charge. Only £28/year more than Octopus for EV charging, but potentially hundreds less on daytime electricity. Plus a £50 Amazon gift card for switching. Best for households that use electricity during the day.

Best overnight rate: Intelligent Octopus Go — 8p/kWh with the lowest standing charge and excellent Tesla smart charging. Best for households with very low daytime electricity usage.

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 simplicity: OVO Charge Anytime — fixed monthly cost, charge any time, no scheduling needed.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the cheapest EV tariff in the UK?

Intelligent Octopus Go (8p/kWh) and E.ON Next Drive (8p via app) have the lowest overnight rates. However, both have higher daytime rates than the Ofgem cap. For total household cost (day + night), British Gas EV (9p overnight, standard day rate) can work out cheaper overall for households with typical daytime usage.

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 3x 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. British Gas EV only requires a smart meter.

How much can I save with an EV tariff vs standard electricity?

A typical Tesla driver covering 200 miles/week saves £440–£468 per year by switching from the Ofgem cap (24.67p/kWh) to an EV tariff (8–9p/kWh). Over three years, that is £1,320–£1,404 saved.

Is British Gas EV tariff worth it if it is not the cheapest?

Yes, for most households. The 1p/kWh difference vs Octopus costs just £28/year more on EV charging. But British Gas uses the Ofgem cap for daytime electricity (24.67p) vs Octopus at 33.75p — saving you up to £244/year on daytime usage. Plus you get a £50 Amazon gift card for switching via referral. For most households, the total bill is lower with British Gas.

What about standing charges — do they change when I switch?

Yes. Standing charges vary: Intelligent Octopus Go charges 44.93p/day (£164/year), E.ON charges 60p/day (£219/year), and British Gas follows the Ofgem cap at approximately 57p/day (£208/year).