An Overview of Electric Vehicle Home Charging Tariffs

Switching to an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle can reduce both your environmental impact and 'fuel' costs, but unlocking the full potential takes a little planning. Charging during peak times uses the most expensive energy, with carbon emissions that can be a third higher than the quietest hours of the same day (April 2021 average, via National Grid ESO).

To incentivise smarter and more sustainable charging routines, a growing list of utility companies are introducing home energy tariffs specifically for electric vehicle drivers. These offer attractive rates for high use customers and incentivise plugging in when it's cheapest and greenest. Here's an overview of what's available.

What is it? A dual-rate tariff providing discounted overnight rates for electric vehicle charging. Prices are fixed for 12 months, and there are no exit fees.

How much does it cost?* 6.3p/kWh (midnight-5am). Day rate varies by region.

What else do I need? A British Gas smart meter (fitted free of charge).

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/ev-tariff-home.html

What is it? Bulb is trialling a smartphone app which is compatible with a claimed 80% of electric vehicles, enabling remote charge scheduling and monitoring of energy use.

How much does it cost?* From 4p/kWh (2am-6am) or 20p/kWh at other times.

What do you need? A smart meter capable of half-hourly readings.

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://bulb.co.uk/electric-vehicles/

What is it? Flat or dual-rate tariffs designed to reduce costs for electric vehicle charging. Customers get a £30 credit after six months, said to equate to 850 miles of driving. Prices are fixed for 12 months.

How much does it cost?* 11.5p/kWh (midnight-4am), or 21.9p/kWh at other times. 18.9p (flat rate).

What do you need? A smart meter (fitted free of charge) and proof of an electric vehicle lease or ownership.

Renewable energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://www.eonenergy.com/electric-vehicle-charging/ev-tariff.html

What is it? A smartphone app-controlled tariff which automatically schedules and pauses charging based on grid carbon intensity, unit cost and departure time.

How much does it cost?* 4.2p/kWh (midnight-4am) or 17.6p/kWh at other times.

What do you need? One of three compatible home chargepoints, and a Tesla car.

Renewable Energy: Yes, 100%.

More information: https://www.eonnext.com/tariffs/next-drive

What is it? Reduced rates for Ecotricity's renewable and (uniquely) Vegan-certified energy. Profits are re-invested into a growing network of wind and solar generation sites UK-wide.

How much does it cost?* 11.5p/kWh (midnight-7am) or 19.6p/kWh at other times. Flat rate 17.71p/kWh.

What do you need: Dual-rate tariffs require a smart meter.

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/your-green-energy/electric-car-bundle

What is it? EDF Energy offers three tariffs for electric vehicle drivers, with different off-peak hours to suit usage patterns and a fixed rate for customers without a smart meter.

How much does it cost?*

GoElectric: 14.4p/kWh (flat rate)

GoElectric 35: 4.5p/kWh (midnight-5am) or 17.01p/kWh at other times.

GoElectric 98: 4.5p/kWh (9pm-7am and all weekend) or 20.2p/kWh at other times.

What do you need: Dual-rate tariffs require a smart meter.

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/tariffs

What is it? A fixed-rate tariff with reduced rates for electric vehicle drivers, with prices fixed for 12 months. Trials are underway for a dual-rate Green Driver tariff, with an off-peak rate beginning at 10pm in line with aggregated charging routine data.

How much does it cost?* 16.3p/kWh (flat rate)

What do you need? Proof of an electric vehicle ownership or lease.

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/our-tariffs/electric-vehicle-driver-4/

What is it? A dual-rate tariff designed for electric vehicle drivers, with fixed prices for 12 months. Octopus also offers a discounted smart cable for cars without charge scheduling.

How much does it cost?* 5p/kWh (00.30-4.30am) or 13-14p/kWh at other times.

What do you need? A smart meter capable of half-hourly readings, fitted free of charge.

Renewable Energy: Yes, 100%

More information: https://octopus.energy/go/

What is it? A continuously variable tariff that tracks wholesale electricity prices in half-hour segments. Octopus also offers single-account access to multiple UK and international public charging networks.

How much does it cost?* Rates vary, but Octopus claims frequent 2p/kWh opportunities and will alert customers when the can be paid to take excess energy from the grid. Unit costs are capped at 35p/kWh.

What do you need? A smart meter capable of half-hourly readings, fitted free of charge.

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://octopus.energy/agile/

What is it? A fixed-rate tariff for electric vehicle drivers, only available to dual fuel customers. Ovo Drive Anytime, due to launch in the autumn, will offer separate, reduced unit rates for charging and the rest of the home.

How much does it cost?* From 13.5p/kWh

What do you need? Proof of electric vehicle lease or ownership

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%. Ovo also plants a tree per customer every year.

More information: https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff

What is it? Dual-rate charging for EV drivers. Available as a bundle with a chargepoint. Discounted rates for public charging networks are also under discussion.

How much does it cost?* 6.2p/kwh (midnight-5am), other rates vary by region.

What do you need? A smart meter.

Renewable Energy: Yes, 100%.

More information: https://quote.scottishpower.co.uk/electric-vehicles/tariffs

What is it? Shell Energy's fixed-rate tariff includes a monthly credit of £6.67, claimed to add up to 2,000 free miles of driving per year. Prices are fixed to January 2023, and customers get discounts on NewMotion charging points.

How much does it cost?* 18.3p/kWh (flat rate)

What do you need? A compatible smart meter and proof of an electric vehicle lease or ownership.

Renewable Energy? Yes, 100%.

More information: https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/smart-home/ev-charging

* Unit costs are indicative, and vary by region. Standing charge not included. Prices correct as of July 2021.

LeasePlan UK is not affiliated, associated, authorised, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with of the Energy providers listed in this summary. This list has been compiled to provide an overview of the current market. There may be some variation between regions and the rates will change over time. We urge users to conduct their own, independent research into suitable tariffs for their circumstances.