One of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle is the potential for incredibly cheap "fuel" - but only if you're smart about when and how you charge. With the right setup, you can pay as little as 7-9p per kWh, compared to 24p or more on a standard tariff.
The Secret: Time-of-Use Tariffs
Time-of-use tariffs offer different electricity rates depending on when you use power:
- Off-peak (typically midnight to 5am): 7-10p per kWh
- Standard: 15-20p per kWh
- Peak (4pm to 9pm): 30-40p per kWh
By charging your EV during off-peak hours, you can dramatically reduce your running costs.
Best EV Tariffs in 2026
| Provider | Tariff Name | Off-Peak Rate | Off-Peak Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus | Intelligent Go | 7.5p/kWh | 23:30-05:30 |
| OVO | Charge Anytime | 8p/kWh | 00:00-05:00 |
| EDF | GoElectric | 9p/kWh | 00:00-07:00 |
| British Gas | Electric Drivers | 8.5p/kWh | 00:00-05:00 |
| E.ON | Drive | 9.5p/kWh | 00:00-06:00 |
What You Need
To take advantage of these tariffs, you typically need:
1. A Smart Charger
Your home charger must be able to schedule charging sessions. Most modern chargers from brands like Ohme, Wallbox, and Pod Point support this.
2. A Smart Meter
Energy suppliers require a smart meter to offer time-of-use tariffs. Installation is free - contact your supplier to arrange.
3. Compatible EV (for some tariffs)
Some tariffs like Octopus Intelligent Go require certain EVs that can communicate with the grid.
The Maths: Real Savings
Let's calculate the savings for a typical EV driver covering 8,000 miles per year:
| Charging Method | Cost per Mile | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tariff (24p/kWh) | 6p | £480 |
| Smart tariff (8p/kWh) | 2p | £160 |
| Public rapid charging | 15p | £1,200 |
Annual savings with smart charging: £320 compared to standard home charging, or over £1,000 compared to relying on public chargers.
Going Further: Solar + EV
If you have solar panels, the economics get even better:
- Charge from solar during the day (effectively free)
- Use cheap overnight rates when solar isn't available
- Consider a home battery to store excess solar for evening use
Setting Up Scheduled Charging
Most smart chargers and EVs allow you to set charging schedules:
Via Your Charger App
- Set your target departure time (e.g., 7:30am)
- Set your required charge level (e.g., 80%)
- Let the charger optimise when to charge
Via Your EV
Most EVs have built-in scheduling: 1. Go to charging settings 2. Set "departure time charging" 3. The car will calculate when to start charging
Tips for Maximum Savings
- Aim for 80% charge - faster and better for battery health
- Precondition while plugged in - heat/cool the car on grid power, not battery
- Check your tariff annually - better deals appear regularly
- Consider Octopus Agile - for advanced users, rates can go negative
Smart charging isn't just about saving money - it's better for the grid and helps integrate more renewable energy. Your EV can be part of the solution.