Updated
Should You Switch Energy Tariff When You Get an EV?
How to
Why switching to an EV tariff is the single biggest money-saving move for UK EV owners — and how to choose the right one for your setup.
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 saves £490-550 a year.
A standard tariff at 26.32p/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDF GoElectric | 6.66p/kWh | £191 | £561 |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 7.6p/kWh | £218 | £534 |
| Octopus Go | 9.5p/kWh | £272 | £480 |
| British Gas EV Power | 9.5p/kWh | £271 | £481 |
| Economy 7 (typical) | ~12p/kWh | £343 | £403 |
| Standard variable | 26.32p/kWh | £752 | — |
Full comparison at our tariff comparison page.
Which Tariff?
EDF GoElectric — Cheapest Fixed Rate
6.66p/kWh across a seven-hour window, 11pm to 6am. The lowest fixed overnight rate on the market and the longest guaranteed window. No smart scheduling — you set a timer.
Octopus Intelligent Go — Best for Automation
7.6p/kWh, six-hour off-peak window, and the tariff talks to the car directly so the charger need not be smart. Since 7 May 2026, smart-scheduled charging is capped at six hours in any 24; overflow bills at the peak rate.
Octopus Go — Best for Simplicity
9.5p/kWh, 5-hour window, works with any charger. Set a timer and that's it.
British Gas EV Power — Gentlest Peak Rate
9.5p/kWh off-peak, five-hour window, and a peak rate of around 27.5p/kWh — close to the Ofgem cap and among the lowest of the group. Worth a look if you cannot push the household load overnight.
Economy 7 — Outdated
| Factor | Economy 7 | Modern EV Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak rate | 10-15p/kWh | 6.66-9.5p/kWh |
| Peak rate | 28-35p/kWh | 27-37p/kWh |
| Smart features | None | Tariff integration |
Switching from Economy 7 to Intelligent Go saves roughly £114 a 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 (26.32p/kWh flat) | £710 | £752 | £1,462 |
| Octopus Go | £666 | £243 | £909 |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | £654 | £229 | £883 |
Even accounting for slightly higher peak rates, Intelligent Go saves around £570 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 £490-550 a year with zero upfront cost. Every month of delay is roughly £40-45 in unnecessary charging expense.
See our EV tariff comparison or the charging cost breakdown for the numbers behind those figures.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Your next useful step: compare EV tariffs with the same assumptions.
Already chosen the tariff and charger? .