How to Charge Your EV for 6.5p per kWh (Yes, Really)

If you've just had a home EV charger installed, or you're about to, the charger itself is only half the equation. The electricity tariff you're on can be the difference between charging your car for pennies or paying through the nose. The good news? In 2026, there are more EV-specific tariffs available than ever, and the savings are genuinely impressive.

What Is a Smart EV Tariff?

A smart EV tariff is an electricity plan designed specifically for electric vehicle owners. These tariffs offer significantly cheaper electricity rates during off-peak hours, typically overnight, when demand on the national grid is lowest. Most require a smart meter, and some need a compatible charger or EV to unlock the cheapest rates.

The idea is simple: you plug in when you get home, schedule your car to charge overnight at the cheap rate, and wake up to a full battery every morning. It's the electric equivalent of finding petrol at 40p a litre.

The Best EV Tariffs in the UK (2026)

Here's how the leading tariffs compare:

Supplier and TariffOff-Peak Rate (p/kWh)Off-Peak WindowPeak Rate (p/kWh)Best ForE.ON Next Drive Smart6.5p12am to 6am~30pLongest cheap windowSo Energy, So EV6.5p12am to 5am~30pLow off-peak rateUtility Warehouse EV Double Gold6.9p12am to 5am~29pDual benefit savingsOctopus Intelligent Go7.0p11:30pm to 5:30am (smart)~31pSmart scheduling flexibilityOctopus Go8.5p12:30am to 5:30am~31pSimple fixed windowBritish Gas EV Power9.0p12am to 5am~27pReliable basics

Rates vary by region. Always check your postcode for an exact quote.

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Let's put it into real numbers. The average UK EV driver covers around 8,000 miles per year. At a typical efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh:

• On a standard tariff (28p/kWh): approximately £640 per year

• On a smart EV tariff (7p/kWh): approximately £160 per year

That's a potential saving of around £480 per year, just by switching your electricity tariff. Some drivers save even more, particularly those with longer commutes or larger battery vehicles.

Smart Charging: Set It and Forget It

Most modern EV chargers, including the ones we install at Plug In Stations, come with app-based scheduling. You simply set your preferred charging window (matching your tariff's off-peak hours), plug in whenever you get home, and the charger handles the rest. No alarm clocks, no midnight dashes to the driveway.

Chargers like the Ohme Home Pro take it a step further with tariff-aware charging. They connect directly to your energy supplier's API and automatically charge at the cheapest possible times, even shifting mid-session if rates change.

What About Solar Owners?

If you've got solar panels, the game changes again. A solar-compatible charger (like the Zappi) can divert excess solar generation directly into your EV during the day, then switch to off-peak grid charging overnight. This blended approach can bring your annual charging cost below £100.

We'll cover solar and EV charging in detail in a separate blog, but the short version is: solar plus a smart tariff is the sweet spot for UK EV owners in 2026.

How to Switch

Switching to an EV tariff is straightforward:

1. Ensure you have a smart meter. Contact your current supplier if you don't.

1. Compare tariffs using your postcode on each supplier's website.

1. Check compatibility. Some tariffs require specific chargers or EVs.

1. Switch. Most suppliers handle the process online in minutes.

The Plug In Stations Perspective

When we install your charger, we'll walk you through the smart charging features and help you understand which tariffs work best with your setup. It's all part of the service, because getting the right charger is only valuable if you're charging it the smart way.

Want a home charger that makes the most of cheap overnight rates? Get a free quote from Plug In Stations.