The top EV home charging tariffs
Back to 'Expert guides'Just as it’s a good idea to shop around for the best price of fuel when filling up with petrol, if you drive an EV it’s wise to see if switching energy tariffs can make a difference.
Choosing an EV or plug-in hybrid might reduce your impact on the environment, but you’ll still be paying to charge it up. Obviously, charging during peak times will cost you the most, and the best time to charge is often overnight.
This is why a growing number of energy companies are starting to introduce tariffs specifically tailored to EV drivers. There are several benefits to these tariffs, including the use of renewable energy and of course a reduction in rates.
We caught up with our advertising partner LeasePlan to examine some of the best offers currently available.
British Gas Electric Vehicle tariff
British Gas offers a dual-rate deal that gives EV drivers cheaper off-peak electricity between 12am and 5am. The price is fixed for 12 months and you won’t be charged any exit fees. You can find more info on British Gas’ latest tariffs here. Find out more here: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/ev-tariff-home.html
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 6.3p/kWh (midnight – 5am) Day rates will vary between regions. | A British Gas smart meter (fitted free of charge) | Yes (100%) |
Bulb EV Energy Plan
Bulb is currently trialling a new smartphone app that enables to its users to remotely schedule their vehicle charging and monitor costs. Apparently it is compatible with 80% of electric vehicles. The plan EV tariff has an off-peak rate between 2am and 6am, while you’ll pay a standard flat rate at other times. More info here: https://bulb.co.uk/electric-vehicles/
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 4p/kWh (2am – 6am) 21.37p/kWh (standard rate, will vary between regions) | A smart meter capable of half-hourly readings | Yes (100%) |
E.ON Charge V3
E.On offers flat or dual-rate tariffs that are designed to minimise the cost of charging EVs. After six months, customers also receive £0 of credit – which is estimated to equate to 850 miles of driving. Pricing is fixed for 12 months.
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 11.5p/kWh (12am – 4am) 21.9p/kWh (standard rate, will vary between regions) | Smart meter and proof you lease an EV. | Yes (100%) |
E.on Next Drive
E.ON also offers a tariff that you can control via your smartphone. The app automatically schedules and pauses charging based on cost, grid carbon density and even the time of your departure. More info here: https://www.eonnext.com/tariffs/next-drive
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 4.2p/kWh (midnight – 4am) or 17.6p/kWh at other times. Day rates will vary between regions | A compatible home charger and a Tesla | Yes (100%) |
Ecotricity Green Electricity + EV
Ecotricity is a well-known EV charger provider, and it now has its own EV tariff. It uses reneable energy and is even “vegan certified”. Profits are reinvested into the growing number of wind and solar energy generation sites across the UK.
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 11.5p/kWh (midnight – 7am) or 19.6p/kWh at other times. Day rates will vary between regions. | A smart meter | Yes (100%) |
EDF Energy GoElectric
EDF Energy offers three tariffs for EV drivers, all of which featuring different off-peak hours to suit a range of customers and usage patterns. Fixed rates are also available to those that don’t use a smart meter. More information here: https://www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/tariffs
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| GoElectric: 14.4p/kWh (flat rate) GoElectric 35: 4.5p/kWh (midnight – 5am) GoElectric 98: 4.5p/kWh (9pm – 7am plus weekends). Day rates vary depending on plan and region. | A smart meter | Yes (100%) |
Good Energy EV Driver 4
Good Energy EV Driver 4 is a fixed-rate tariff with reduced rates for EV drivers, with prices fixed for 12 months. Off-peak rates start from 10pm and trials are underway for a dual-rate Green Driver tariff.
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 16.3p/kWh flat rate. Day rates will vary between regions. | Proof of an EV lease | Yes (100%) |
Octopus Go
This is a dual-rate tariff that’s designed specifically for EV drivers. The price is fixed for 12 months and Octopus offers a discounted smart cable for cars that don’t automatically schedule charging. Check it out here: https://octopus.energy/go/
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 5p/kWh (00:30am – 4am) or 14p/kWh at other times. Day rates will vary between regions. | A smart meter able to deliver half-hourly readings | Yes (100%) |
Ovo Drive
Ovo Drive offers a fixed-rate tariff for EV drivers that’s only available for fuel fuel customers. It offers a separate unit rate for charging, so it is not linked to the rest of your home. Full lowdown here: https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| From 13.5p/kWh. Day rates will vary between regions. | Proof of an EV lease | Yes (100%) |
Scottish Power EV Time of Use
This is a dual-rate charging tariff. It’s part of a bundle that’s available with a charge point. There are discounted rates for public charging networks that are currently under discussion. More info here: https://quote.scottishpower.co.uk/electric-vehicles/tariffs
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 6.2p/kWh (midnight – 5am) Day rates will vary between regions. | A compatible smart meter | Yes (100%) |
Shell Energy Charge & Drive
This is Shell Energy’s fixed-rate tariff that includes a monthly credit of £6.67 – enough to add up to 2,000 mil of range for your EV every year. Prices are fixed until January 2023, and customers get discounts on NewMotion charging points. More info here: https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/smart-home/ev-charging
| Cost | Requirements | Renewable energy used |
| 18.3p/kWh flat rate. Day rates will vary between regions. | A smart meter and proof of an EV lease | Yes (100%) |
Ready to make the switch to electric?
If you’re considering going electric with your next lease, check out the very best deals from our advertising partner LeasePlan – they have hundreds of deals on the very latest fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Click on the button below to start your search, or read some of the top reasons to go electric here.
*Leasing.com and LeasePlan UK isn’t affiliated, associated or in any way officially connected to energy providers listed here. There may be variation between regions, and prices are only correct at the time of publication. With energy prices at record highs, we strongly recommend that consumers conduct independent research into the best tariff for their circumstances.
