Best EV tariffs in the UK: off-peak rates compared
An EV tariff gives you a much cheaper electricity rate for a few hours overnight. That's when you charge the car. The cheapest off-peak rate is now 6.5p per kWh, against 26.32p on the standard price cap. For most drivers who can charge at home, that's the single biggest saving available.
| Tariff | Off-peak rate | Off-peak hours | Peak rate | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF GoElectric | 6.66p | 11pm to 6am (7 hours) | About 27.5p | Smart meter. No smart charger needed |
| Intelligent Octopus Go | 8p | 11:30pm to 5:30am (6 hours), plus smart slots | About 38.90p | Smart meter and a compatible car or charger |
| British Gas EV Power | 9.5p | Midnight to 5am (5 hours) | About 36.90p | Smart meter. Any charger |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | 6.5p | Midnight to 6am (6 hours), plus smart slots | 34.042p | Smart meter and a compatible car or charger |
| E.ON Next Drive | 8.5p | Midnight to 6am (6 hours) | Check your quote | Smart meter. Any charger |
Unit rates in pence per kWh. Peak rates are averages and vary by region. Standard price cap rate for comparison: 26.32p.
EDF GoElectric
EDF charges 6.66p per kWh for seven hours from 11pm, the cheapest rate we found that works with any charger, and its peak rate of about 27.5p is close to the price cap. You don't need a smart charger, so it suits almost any home charging setup. There's a 12-month fix with a £75 per fuel exit fee. Read our EDF GoElectric review.
Intelligent Octopus Go
Octopus charges 8p per kWh for six hours from 11:30pm, and can schedule up to six hours of extra smart charging at 8p outside that window. Your car or charger has to be on Octopus's compatible list. The peak rate averages about 38.90p, and the exit fee is £50. Read our Intelligent Octopus Go review.
British Gas EV Power
British Gas offers 9.5p per kWh from midnight to 5am, with rates fixed until March 2028. It works with any car and charger, and the cheap rate covers your whole home. The exit fee is high, at £200 per fuel. Read our British Gas EV tariff review.
E.ON Next Drive
E.ON Next Drive Smart has the lowest off-peak rate we found, at 6.5p per kWh from midnight to 6am, plus any smart charging E.ON schedules. It needs a compatible car or charger. The simpler Next Drive costs 8.5p with any charger. Both are fixed for 12 months with no exit fees. Read our E.ON Next Drive review.
Which EV tariff saves the most?
EV tariffs charge more than the price cap during the day, so the saving on your car has to outweigh what you pay extra for daytime use. Here's a rough illustration for a household using 2,700 kWh a year at home outside the cheap hours, plus 2,400 kWh a year charging the car overnight:
| Tariff | Saving on the car | Extra on daytime use | Better off by |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDF GoElectric | £472 | £32 | About £440 a year |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | £476 | £208 | About £267 a year |
| British Gas EV Power | £404 | £286 | About £118 a year |
| Intelligent Octopus Go | £440 | £340 | About £100 a year |
Compared with the 26.32p price cap rate, using average peak rates. Standing charges excluded. Moving appliances into the cheap hours increases the saving on every tariff.
On these numbers EDF comes out ahead overall because of its lower peak rate, even though E.ON Next Drive Smart has the cheaper overnight rate. Peak rates vary by region, though, so compare quotes for your postcode. As a rule of thumb, an EV tariff pays off if you drive a few thousand miles a year and charge mostly at home.
Use the charging cost calculator with your own mileage to see what you'd save.
Sources
Intelligent Octopus Go rates from Octopus Energy, with peak rates as reported by BestChargers. E.ON Next rates from E.ON Next (21 October 2026). EDF and British Gas rates as reported by TeslaCharger, BestChargers and EV Compared. Price cap rate as reported by EnergyPlus for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Always confirm the rate for your region with the supplier before switching.