Best EV Charging Tariffs UK 2026: Octopus vs OVO vs British Gas Compared

Why Your Tariff Matters More Than Your Charger

Here's something most new EV owners don't realise: your electricity tariff has a bigger impact on running costs than which charger you buy. The difference between charging at standard rates (~28p/kWh) and an off-peak EV tariff (~7p/kWh) is roughly £800–1,000 per year for an average driver.

All four of the major UK EV tariffs offer some form of cheap overnight electricity. The differences come down to how smart they are, which chargers they work with, and whether they're truly the cheapest option for your setup.

The Tariffs at a Glance

*Rates as of February 2026. All tariffs also charge standard or higher peak rates outside off-peak windows.*

Octopus Intelligent Go — Best Overall

Off-peak rate: ~7p/kWh (11:30pm–5:30am)

Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK's most popular EV tariff, and for good reason. It's the cheapest off-peak rate available and it's genuinely smart — it communicates directly with your Tesla (or compatible charger) to schedule charging at the cheapest and greenest times overnight.

You don't need to set a timer on your charger or in the Tesla app. Just plug in whenever you get home, set your ready-by time, and Octopus handles the rest. The entire home benefits from the off-peak rate during the 11:30pm–5:30am window, so you can schedule dishwashers and washing machines too.

What you need: A compatible EV (all Teslas qualify) or a compatible smart charger (Ohme, Wallbox, Hypervolt, or Indra). A smart meter is required.

Annual savings: Octopus estimates £400–600 per year compared to a standard tariff for an average EV driver.

Best paired with: The Ohme Home Pro is the officially recommended charger for Intelligent Octopus Go — it integrates directly and unlocks extended off-peak hours. But any Tesla works natively without needing a specific charger.

Pros

• Cheapest off-peak rate on the market (~7p/kWh)
• Longest off-peak window (6 hours)
• True smart charging — no manual schedules needed
• Works directly with Tesla vehicles (no special charger required)
• Whole-home off-peak rate, not just EV charging

Cons

• Peak rates can be slightly higher than standard variable tariffs
• Requires a smart meter
• You need a compatible EV or charger (most are compatible)

Octopus Go — Best for Any Charger

Off-peak rate: ~8.5p/kWh (12:30am–5:30am)

Octopus Go is the simpler sibling of Intelligent Go. It gives you a flat off-peak rate during a 5-hour window, but it doesn't do any smart scheduling — you set a charging timer on your car or charger to start at 12:30am and stop by 5:30am.

This tariff works with any EV and any charger, including dumb chargers with no smart features. If you have a basic setup or prefer to keep things simple, Octopus Go is a solid choice.

What you need: A smart meter. That's it — any EV, any charger.

Annual savings: Around £300–500 per year compared to standard rates, slightly less than Intelligent Go due to the higher off-peak rate and shorter window.

Best paired with: Any charger. If you have the Tesla Wall Connector, you can schedule charging via the Tesla app to align with the off-peak window.

Pros

• Works with any EV and any charger — no compatibility requirements
• Simple, predictable pricing
• Whole-home off-peak rate
• No complex setup needed

Cons

• Higher off-peak rate than Intelligent Go (~8.5p vs ~7p)
• Shorter off-peak window (5 hours vs 6 hours)
• Manual scheduling required — no smart optimisation
• Peak rates may be higher than standard variable tariff

British Gas EV Power+ — Best with Hive Charger

Off-peak rate: ~7.9p/kWh (12am–5am)

British Gas relaunched their EV tariff as EV Power, with a premium tier (EV Power+) that drops the rate further if you use a Hive-compatible charger. The off-peak rate of ~7.9p/kWh is competitive and slots between Octopus Intelligent Go and Octopus Go.

The off-peak window is 5 hours (midnight to 5am), and the whole home benefits during that period. British Gas estimates savings of around £490 per year compared to the standard variable tariff.

What you need: A smart meter. For the best rates, a Hive-compatible EV charger is recommended but not required.

Annual savings: Around £400–500 per year compared to the January 2026 price cap.

Best paired with: A Hive-compatible charger for the best rates, but any of our reviewed chargers will work on this tariff.

Pros

• Competitive off-peak rate (~7.9p/kWh)
• British Gas brand trust and customer service
• Whole-home off-peak rate
• No specific EV required

Cons

• Best rates require a Hive charger
• Shorter off-peak window (5 hours) than Octopus Intelligent Go
• No true smart charging optimisation
• Less flexibility than Octopus tariffs

OVO Charge Anytime — Different Approach

Rate: ~14p/kWh (smart scheduled)

OVO's Charge Anytime takes a different approach — instead of fixed off-peak hours, it uses smart technology to charge your EV at the cheapest and greenest times, whenever they happen to be. The rate was originally 7p/kWh but increased to 14p/kWh in November 2025.

OVO also offers monthly subscription plans (Standard at £27.50/month and Premium at £37.50/month) that bundle home charging, public charging credits, and charger insurance.

What you need: A compatible smart charger and a smart meter. OVO manages the charging schedule through their app.

Annual savings: Lower than Octopus or British Gas since the rate increase. At 14p/kWh, savings are around £200–350 per year compared to standard rates — roughly half what Octopus offers.

Pros

• Flexible smart scheduling (not fixed to specific hours)
• Monthly plans bundle home + public charging
• No fixed off-peak window means more flexibility

Cons

• Rate doubled from 7p to 14p/kWh in November 2025
• Significantly more expensive than Octopus Intelligent Go
• Monthly plans add recurring costs
• Requires compatible charger

Head-to-Head: Annual Charging Costs

Here's what a typical Tesla Model 3 owner driving 8,000 miles per year would pay on each tariff:

*Based on Tesla Model 3 efficiency of ~4 miles per kWh, 100% home charging.*

Our Recommendation

For most Tesla owners, Octopus Intelligent Go is the clear winner. It has the cheapest rate, the longest off-peak window, genuine smart scheduling, and it works directly with your Tesla without needing a specific charger.

If you want the absolute cheapest running costs, pair Intelligent Go with an Ohme Home Pro — it's the officially recommended charger and integrates directly with Octopus to optimise your charging.

If you're already with British Gas and don't want to switch, EV Power+ is a solid alternative with competitive rates.

We'd recommend avoiding OVO Charge Anytime at the current 14p/kWh rate — it's nearly double the cost of Octopus Intelligent Go.

How to Switch

Switching energy tariff is straightforward:

1. Check you have a smart meter (or request one from your current supplier — it's free)
2. Go to your chosen supplier's website and sign up for the EV tariff
3. The switch typically takes 2–3 weeks
4. Set up your charger or Tesla to charge during off-peak hours

Once you're on a smart tariff, the savings are immediate. It's the single best thing you can do to reduce your Tesla running costs.

Compare chargers that work with smart tariffs →

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