Should You Switch Energy Tariff When You Get an EV? (UK Guide)
The Short Answer: Yes, Almost Certainly
Switching to an EV tariff is the single most impactful financial decision you can make as a new EV owner. It costs nothing, takes 10 minutes, and saves £400-600 per year.
If you are charging on a standard tariff at ~24.5p/kWh, you are paying roughly 3.5 times more per charge than you need to.
The Numbers (10,000 miles/year)
| Tariff | Off-Peak Rate | Annual Cost | Saving vs Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 7p/kWh | £200 | £501 |
| Octopus Go | 8.5p/kWh | £243 | £458 |
| British Gas Electric Drivers | 8p/kWh | £229 | £472 |
| Economy 7 (typical) | ~12p/kWh | £343 | £358 |
| Standard variable | 24.5p/kWh | £701 | — |
Full comparison at our tariff comparison page.
Which Tariff?
Octopus Intelligent Go — Best Overall
7p/kWh, 6-hour off-peak window, smart scheduling with bonus cheap slots. Best for most EV owners.
Octopus Go — Best for Simplicity
8.5p/kWh, 5-hour window, works with any charger. Just set a timer.
British Gas Electric Drivers — Best Non-Octopus
8p/kWh, 5-hour window. Good if Octopus is not available in your area.
Economy 7 — Outdated
| Factor | Economy 7 | Modern EV Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak rate | 10-15p/kWh | 7-8.5p/kWh |
| Peak rate | 28-35p/kWh | 28-32p/kWh |
| Smart features | None | Tariff integration |
Switching from Economy 7 to Intelligent Go saves roughly £100-200/year on EV charging alone.
When NOT to Switch
- Very cheap fixed deal (under 15p/kWh flat) — ride it out
- Very high daytime usage — model total costs first, though for most households EV savings still dominate
- Cannot get a smart meter — most EV tariffs require one
Impact on Your Overall Bill
| Tariff | Household Cost | EV Charging | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (24.5p flat) | £661 | £701 | £1,362 |
| Octopus Go | £666 | £243 | £909 |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | £654 | £200 | £854 |
Even accounting for slightly higher peak rates, Intelligent Go saves over £500/year on combined costs.
Charger Pairing
- Ohme Home Pro — integrates with Octopus Intelligent Go and Agile
- Tesla Wall Connector — Tesla vehicles schedule charging natively
- Any charger with a timer — works with Octopus Go or British Gas
See our best EV tariff guide for detailed pairing advice, and the UK EV Charging Cost Index for per-mile costs.
How to Switch
- Check your current tariff and any exit fees
- Compare options on our tariff comparison
- Apply online (10-15 minutes)
- Book smart meter installation if needed (free)
- Set your charging schedule for the off-peak window
The whole process takes 2-4 weeks.
The Bottom Line
Switching saves £400-600/year with zero upfront cost. Every month you delay costs £40-50 in unnecessary charging expenses.
Compare all EV tariffs → | Charging cost breakdown → | Compare chargers →
Frequently Asked Questions
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