Electric car tariffs
As the EV market grows, so does the demand from drivers for tariffs that meet their needs. If you're purchasing an electric vehicle, find out how you can get an EV tariff here.
Which energy suppliers have EV tariffs?
As the EV market grows, so does the demand from drivers for EV-specific tariffs. As a result, the number of suppliers offering those tariffs has grown over the past couple of years. With the ongoing energy market challenges leading to high prices and many small suppliers going out of business, you’ll likely only find EV energy tariffs from bigger suppliers, like members of the big six.
You can find out more about individual suppliers’ electric car tariffs by clicking on the links below.
What is an EV tariff and how does it work?
EV tariffs are specifically designed for owners of electric vehicles who want to be able to charge them at home in the most affordable way. Electricity is used to charge the vehicle, so it makes sense that electricity suppliers should offer specific tariffs for EV owners.
These tariffs usually offer a lower rate per unit of electricity used at night, similarly to domestic Economy 7 tariffs, with the rationale that car owners can charge overnight when they’re less likely to be away from home, and therefore pay less to do so.
It’s also worth noting that most, if not all, of these electric car tariffs will require you to have a smart meter so the supplier can track your usage at different times of the day and charge you the right amount (i.e. less for the lower night-time hours). If you don’t (or can’t) have a smart meter, you probably won’t be able to take advantage of these EV charging tariffs.
Am I eligible for an EV tariff?
As mentioned above, you’ll need a smart meter that works alongside a home EV charger to be eligible for an EV tariff.
You’ll also need a home EV charger - there’s no point having an EV tariff if you can’t actually charge your EV when you’re at home. You may be able to get one from a supplier as part of a bundle that includes the tariff, which could be worth looking into.
You may need to be an existing customer of a supplier. If you want to switch to a specific supplier but you’re not already its customer, you might have to switch to another of its tariffs (make sure it’s the cheapest possible one) and then switch to the EV tariff.
Finally, you may need to prove that you own an electric vehicle so suppliers can be sure you’re not signing up to the wrong kind of tariff. Some suppliers may only supply energy for certain kinds or makes and models of EV.
Is it worth moving to an EV tariff?
There are a lot of variables when it comes to figuring out whether it’s worth moving to an EV tariff. Some of the factors to consider include:
- The type of EV you have
- How often you use it
- How quickly it charges
- Whether most of the charging will happen at home or at public charging points
- Whether an EV tariff in general works for your lifestyle (bearing in mind they’re most cost-effective when the majority of energy usage happens during the cheaper hours).
Given the increased energy consumption that comes with charging an EV, it’s a safe bet that an EV tariff will be a more affordable option than a normal variable tariff as long as the charging is happening during the off-peak time period.
How to find the best tariff for your EV
The best EV tariff for you will depend on several factors, but ultimately your decision should be based on the amount it will likely cost you to charge your vehicle. You can also compare the potential costs of using energy on an EV tariff against a non-EV tariff to be sure the savings are worth the switch.
You need to consider:
- Your consumption
How much will you be using the car each day? Charging a battery from 0% to 100% costs more than charging from 30% to 100%.
- Your EV’s battery size
A bigger battery takes longer to charge, which could run into peak hours depending on the tariff.
- Higher daytime rates
It's important to be aware of how much it might cost you to use energy during the day bearing in mind the likely higher costs of doing so.
- Other energy usage
How much will you be able to save on a certain tariff by running your washing machine or dishwasher overnight instead of during the day?
How do I switch to an EV tariff?
To switch to an EV tariff, you’ll need a home EV charger, a smart meter and (maybe) already be signed up to a tariff from the supplier you want to switch to.
Compare energy deals
You can compare energy deals in a few minutes using Uswitch as you would do normally, but we'll ask you a couple of questions about EVs to make sure we're showing you EV tariff options where relevant.
Choose an EV tariff
When you see the results table, you'll also see clearly marked EV tariff options alongside non-EV tariffs. We'll show you which hours are on-peak and off-peak, and how much the unit rates are for each time period.
Confirm your switch
Once you've chosen a deal, we'll show you how the switching process works. It might be different to other energy switches you've done because you might need to sign up to a different tariff before you can be transferred to the supplier's EV tariff.
What is the best EV tariff?
Like regular energy tariffs, there is no single “best” EV tariff. Different people have different requirements for their energy deals, and EV-specific deals follow suit. There may be a deal which works for you because you’re already with the supplier that offers it, or there might be lower unit costs if you join someone else. Different suppliers might have certain added benefits, too.
It’s not easy to compare EV tariffs specifically in the same way that you would compare standard energy deals, so you’ll need to put in the time to research the different options to find the one that most closely matches your needs.
“The UK EV market is projected to grow significantly in the next five to ten years.
“In 2021, 19.1% of newly registered cars were alternative fuel vehicles. However, with more electric cars on the road, there’s going to be more demand for public charging points. The European Alternative Fuels Observatory found that last year there were 19 cars for every Plugin Electric Vehicle charging point.
“For many people, the most convenient way to charge their electric car will be at home. A home charger enables EV owners to always have access to a charging point when they need.
“If you’re getting a home charger, you may want to get an EV tariff to ensure you’re charging your car in the most affordable way. As the EV market grows, so does the demand from drivers for EV-specific tariffs. It’s worth researching the best EV tariff for your needs.”
EV tariff FAQs
What’s the difference between normal tariffs and EV tariffs?
EV tariffs are specifically designed to make it cheaper for EV owners to charge their cars at home. They offer cheaper rates at night to help achieve this. Normal tariffs just offer one rate for both day and night hours.
Can I switch to an EV tariff if I already have an energy supplier?
Yes, but if you’re changing to a different supplier, you may need to sign up to one of its non-EV tariffs first and then switch to an EV option.
Which energy supplier is best for EV charging?
It’s difficult to say that there’s a “best” energy supplier for EV charging. The best EV energy tariff for you could be determined by a number of factors, including price, add-ons, the supplier you’re currently with and so on.
What is the cheapest way to charge an EV?
The cheapest way to charge an EV is probably going to be at home - while there are some free public chargepoints throughout the UK, most will require you to pay. Charging at home will also be quicker, not least because the chargepoint will solely be for your use and you won’t have to wait for someone else to finish using it before you can.
Is it cheaper to charge an electric car at night?
As noted above, many EV tariffs are designed so that customers are charged a lower unit rate during night-time hours when it’s more likely they’ll be charging their cars for the next day. This isn’t necessarily the case with every tariff - some simply offer a flat rate both day and night - so check before you sign up.
Do you have to pay for EV charging?
You do have to pay for EV charging - and the cost is sometimes quite high. However, this is offset by the fact that you’re not paying for petrol or diesel (unless you have a hybrid), and you won’t be stranded if there’s a fuel shortage.
Are electric cars cheaper than petrol?
Generally, electric cars are more expensive to buy than their petrol and diesel counterparts. However, when it comes to maintaining them, it’s likely that you’ll pay less to keep an electric car going because the lack of an internal combustion engine significantly decreases the number of moving parts which might wear down over the course of the vehicle’s life. Additionally, as noted above, it’s cheaper to charge an electric car than pay for petrol or diesel.
Purely electric cars also enjoy vehicle tax exemption, while schemes like salary sacrifice allow them to be purchased in a more affordable way.
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