Updated November 2023
Let’s face it, running an Electric Car is much cheaper than traditional petrol or diesel-engined vehicle. But in order for you to make EV ownership beneficial, it is a good idea to make sure you’re on the right energy tariff.
Are the rates higher to charge an EV car?
It is very likely that your bills will rise once you’ve got that Electric Car plugged into your household electricity supply, saying that Energy Suppliers do not charge any more per kWh to charge your car.
This is why it is essential to make sure you’re on the best home energy tariff to suit your household and electric vehicle needs.
Do I need to tell my Energy Company I have an EV?
No, there is no need to tell your energy provider that you’ve now got an EV, but it might be a good idea to give them a bell and ask them if they have any specialist tariffs for customers who have an electric car.
Best Energy Suppliers for EV’s
We’ll cover a few of the energy providers who offer specialist EV tariffs below, please note that some of the links provided may be affiliate links and should you go ahead, we may be compensated if you should go ahead with the deal offered. Some may actually give you additional incentives.
Octopus Energy
Our favourite of all of the Energy Suppliers is Octopus Energy, two simple tariffs for EV owners the first one is:
Octopus Go
A fantastic tariff for those who like to know the costs of charging their Electric Vehicle. Currently charging 7.5p with a minimum of a six-hour off-peak period for charging. Schedule your car to charge via these times or use a Smart Home-Charger to get the best prices.
Octopus Referral Code
If you change to Octopus Energy using our referral link below, you (and us) will both receive £50 off your first bill. If you are a business looking at changing you could receive up to £100.
British Gas
British Gas won’t leave UK consumers out when it comes to an EV tariff and they are currently offering a scheme called “Electric Drivers June 2022” – This tariff gives you access to cheaper energy between the hours of Midnight and 5am in the morning.
There are no exit fees and you can get a free smart meter so you can keep an eye on how much you have spent at a glance.
To access this tariff you will have to prove to British Gas that you have an EV and a home charger, you will also need to take Gas and Electricity from them.
E.On
E.On offer a fantastic tariff called E.On Charge, this energy tariff fixes your gas and electricity rates for 12 months and offers £30 cashback after 6 months.
E.On states that all of the energy comes from 100% renewable sources so you really can imagine you have green fluffy clouds come from the rear of your Electric Car.
You will need a smart meter installed by E.On and they may charge an exit fee of £30 if you decide to go elsewhere during your contract term
Shell Energy
You’ll be used to seeing the Shell Branding from all those years of filling up your old ICE car, but Shell isn’t to be dismissed when it comes to home energy tariffs for an EV.
They offer a great deal using 100% renewable energy and offering 2000 miles free charging over a 1 year period. The tariff is called Charge and Drive 2021 and you can do this online.
You will require a smart meter but they do offer other incentives such as home charger discounts. They do charge an exit fee if you leave before your contract period.
OVO
As well as a 100% renewable energy tariff for your home and special rates for charging your EV overnight. OVO are currently offering a free subscription to BP Pulse so you can rapid charge when your on the UK roads.
You may need to prove ownership or hand over a copy of your lease agreement before signing up with OVO, but the process is pretty simple and feedback from customers is excellent.
edf Energy
This French-owned energy company is no stranger to EV tariffs, offering two options under a brand called GoElectric.
The 35 allows off-peak charging at a great price and the 98 gives you half-price electricity over weekday evenings and all weekend.
You will require a smart meter installed and you’ll need an edf tariff to make the switch.
Compare Energy Providers
Many of the comparison sites offer an option for EV ownership, so it’s always a good place to start when deciding who to have your energy supply with. MoneySupermarket Energy is a good pace to compare energy providers and before you go ahead with the quote provided, have a look at the Cashback sites such as Quidco to see if there are any additional pennies to be had.
More Ways To Save On Home Charging
Once you’ve found the right energy tariff for your EV, it is time to look at your house to see if there are other ways to save money especially when it comes to cleaner energy.
For examples you could opt for solar panels and battery storage, in some cases you could actually sell electricity back to the grid to offset your EV charging costs.
Of course, there are other ways including buying shares in a wind farm or solar farm, we use Freetrade for this as it offers an app solution. Click the link for more details. Get started with a free share worth £10 to £100. The probability is weighted so more expensive shares will be rarer. Capital at risk.
What is an EV Tariff?
Electric Vehicle (EV) energy tariffs offer a cheaper rate of electricity for charging your car at off-peak times, which is usually through the night. Most EV tariffs offer a minimum of 4 hours charging which for most, is plenty to top your car up for your daily commute or school run.
There can be negatives to EV tariffs, these include a higher standing charge or the restricted hours, so it is important you work out your usage and to see if these are worth opting for.
