The Best EV Tariffs in 2026: Cheap Overnight Charging Compared
We compare the top EV-specific energy tariffs available in 2026, showing you exactly how much you'll pay to charge at home overnight.
If you're charging an EV at home on a standard tariff, you're overpaying by hundreds of pounds a year. EV-specific tariffs offer dramatically cheaper overnight electricity, and the savings are significant.
The top EV tariffs compared
| Tariff | Off-peak rate | Off-peak hours | Peak rate | Standing charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Go | 7.5p/kWh | 00:30-05:30 | 25p/kWh | 53p/day |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 7.5p/kWh | 23:30-05:30 | 25p/kWh | 53p/day |
| OVO Charge Anytime | 8p/kWh | 00:00-07:00 | 24.5p/kWh | 48p/day |
| British Gas Electric Drivers | 8.5p/kWh | 00:00-05:00 | 26p/kWh | 55p/day |
| EDF GoElectric | 9p/kWh | 00:00-07:00 | 28p/kWh | 46p/day |
Rates as of January 2026. Check current tariffs as these change quarterly.
Annual cost comparison
For a driver doing 10,000 miles/year in a car averaging 3.5 miles/kWh:
| Tariff | Charging cost/year | vs Standard tariff saving |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Go | £214 | £486 |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | £214 | £486 |
| OVO Charge Anytime | £229 | £471 |
| British Gas | £243 | £457 |
| Standard variable (24.5p) | £700 | - |
The saving is roughly £450-500 per year just by switching tariff. That's before you consider the saving versus petrol, which we covered in our home vs public charging comparison.
Octopus Intelligent Go: the standout
If you have a compatible EV and home charger, Octopus Intelligent Go is currently the best option. It integrates with your car and charger to automatically schedule charging during off-peak hours, and will even extend the off-peak window if your car needs more charge.
The "intelligent" part means you just plug in and set your desired charge level and departure time. The system handles the rest, charging during the cheapest periods.
Things to watch
Peak rates matter too. Your EV charging is cheap, but everything else you use during the day is at the peak rate. If you work from home and use a lot of daytime electricity, check whether the overall cost is still better than a flat-rate tariff.
Smart meter required. All EV tariffs require a smart meter. If you don't have one, your supplier will install one for free.
Charger compatibility. Intelligent tariffs work best with compatible smart chargers. Most OZEV-approved chargers qualify. If you're getting a new one, check compatibility. Our EV charger installation guide covers what to look for.
Combining with solar
If you have solar panels, the picture gets even better. Charge from solar during the day (free) and from cheap overnight electricity when needed. Some households with solar + battery + EV tariff spend under £100/year on all their car charging.
Compare the latest tariffs and switch - it takes 15 minutes and starts saving immediately.
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