Updated
Should You Switch Energy Tariff When You Get an EV?
The Short Answer: Yes, Almost Certainly
Switching to an EV tariff is the biggest saving available to a new EV owner. It costs nothing, takes ten minutes, and typically saves £400-600 a year.
A standard tariff at ~24.5p/kWh is roughly 3.5 times the off-peak rate on a modern EV tariff.
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. Set a timer and that's it.
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Economy 7 — Outdated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 a 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 a year with zero upfront cost. Every month of delay is roughly £40-50 in unnecessary charging expense.
See our EV tariff comparison or the charging cost breakdown for the numbers behind those figures.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
When you're ready, compare the chargers we've tested, or — no obligation, no sign-up.