The Smarter Way to... Get a British Gas EV Tariff
Unlock ultra low midnight money saving rates that juice your EV, heat pump & home battery while you sleep.
What is an EV tariff...Really?
Think of it as “cheap night power on tap.”
How it works
Your supplier opens a special low-cost lane during off-peak hours (usually around midnight-to-5 am). Any electricity you draw in that window, whether it’s topping up your car, heating water with a heat pump, or stuffing electrons into a home battery, costs a fraction of the daytime rate.
When the cheap-rate window opens, your supplier pings your smart meter and your tariff glides into an ultra-low, “economy-7-plus” gear. Every off-peak watt, from car charging to tumble-drying to heat-pumping, now costs pennies, so cue your kit to run while you dream.
Wake up to a full battery, a warm home, and a bill that snoozes right alongside you.
Why Switcheroo?
Switcheroo lines up the juiciest EV-ready night-rate deals side-by-side, lets you lock in the winner with a single tap in under 60 seconds, and backs it all with our Bill-Drop Guarantee, save in year one or we’ll keep switching you for free.
Ready to ride the night rate wave?
Pop in your postcode, pick your plan, and let Switcheroo transfer you to cheaper, cleaner power while the rest of the world is asleep.
How to Switch to an EV Tariff in 3 Simple Steps
Whether you’re charging overnight or powering your whole home more efficiently, the right tariff can help you save money and reduce waste. Follow these three simple steps to get set up, start saving, and make your energy work smarter for you.
1. Pick the Right EV Tariff
Start by comparing EV tariffs based on your charging habits. Look at off peak rates (usually overnight), and make sure they balance out any higher peak costs. Some deals even bundle charger installation with the tariff, so keep an eye out.
2. Choose a Supplier
To access an EV tariff, you may need to switch your electricity supplier first. Most providers only offer these tariffs to existing customers, so you might need to be on a standard plan for a few weeks before switching to their EV deal. If you’re already with them, great, you can skip ahead.
3. Install Hardware
Smart meters are essential, they track when and how much energy you use, which is how the off peak savings work. Your supplier will usually install one for free. You’ll also need a compatible EV charger at home, ideally installed while you’re sorting your tariff.
Are EV tariffs covered by the price cap?
The Ofgem energy price cap only applies to so-called default tariffs, also known as standard variable tariffs (SVTs). So an EV tariff will only be covered by the price cap if it falls into this category.
But, a standard variable EV tariff will be a bit different from a typical household SVT because it has two different rates depending on the time of day. Ofgem handles this by taking a typical household’s peak and off-peak usage into account and setting a cap based on the two figures. Your EV tariff supplier then can’t go over this cap.
The energy price cap doesn’t cover fixed-rate deals, so it won’t cover a fixed-rate EV tariff.
How many public EV charging points are there in the UK?
There are thousands of public charging points across the UK which help make electric vehicles accessible for drivers.
As of February 2024, Zap-Map estimates that there are over 32,000 locations with public charging points installed with over 87,000 EV connectors.
This matches the demand for charging stations. In the past ten years, the number of cars per Plugin Electric Vehicle charging point has risen from just one EV in 2011 to 19 EVs in 2021.
Finding an available public charging point may become increasingly competitive.
For many, the reliability and convenience of a home charger will outweigh the initial cost of installation.
Source: European Alternative Fuels Observatory
Get More for Less When You Compare Energy the Smart Way
We make switching simple, secure, and stress free. With Roo by your side, you’ll compare energy offers from trusted providers and unlock smarter ways to save, all in just a few clicks.
Trusted & Secure
Your privacy matters. At Switcheroo, we’re committed to protecting your data and helping you switch with confidence. Every comparison you make is secure, transparent, and backed by our promise of no hidden catches.
Exceptional Savings
We work directly with suppliers and tap into exclusive partner deals, giving you access to offers you won’t see anywhere else. Roo’s algorithms surface the strongest value options fast, so you can switch and save without the guesswork.
Direct Comparison
Roo does the legwork. Our platform lets you compare energy rates from multiple providers side by side, showing you real-time deals based on your home, habits, and preferences. No fluff, just the facts, clearly laid out.
Smart Moves Start Here
Big brands. Better deals. Smarter savings. At Switcheroo, we partner with the UK’s top energy suppliers to bring you exclusive access to the best offers. Whether you’re after greener energy, cheaper bills, or faster more reliable switching, we make it easy to compare energy providers UK wide.
How to choose the best EV tariff for me?
Sure, switching to a better tariff is the big one (and Roo can help you compare energy deals for that). But what about the little wins? Here are 6 super simple ways to cut your costs, starting today, without flipping your whole routine upside down.
1. Estimate your EV’s fuel efficiency
Divide the car’s range in miles by the battery size in kWh to get the efficiency, measured in miles per kilowatt hour. If the range is 180 miles and the battery size is 60kWh, the efficiency would be three miles/kWh.
2. Calculate your typical consumption
This is your known or estimated mileage divided by the fuel efficiency. Say you drive roughly 90 miles a week. If the fuel efficiency is three miles/kWh, your weekly consumption will be: 90 miles ÷ 3 miles/kWh = 30kWh. The higher the consumption, the more the differences in EV tariff rates will add up.
3. Think beyond charging
An EV tariff at 10p/kWh off peak will cover our hypothetical car’s weekly consumption in about £3. At 8p/kWh, it’s more like £2.40. But the real savings from EV tariffs come from your wider use of the cheap rate. Can you run your washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher overnight? Most EV tariffs offer a cheap rate for household appliances, but some are restricted just to your EV charger. Think about your usage patterns when choosing.
4. Compare charging times
If your consumption is high, or you’re not home every night to charge up your EV, you’ll need longer charging times (although this depends on the type of charger you have). So you need to know exactly how long the tariff’s off-peak rate lasts.
5. Compare the higher rates too
The daytime/peak rate of your EV tariff is likely to be significantly higher than you’d get with a standard household energy tariff. You’ll almost certainly be consuming some energy at this rate, so be clear on exactly what the rate is and have a rough idea of what busy mornings and evenings will cost you.
6. Consider your priorities
Choosing the best EV tariff for you means thinking about your own circumstances. If you’re shopping around for a charger, maybe it makes sense to pick a deal that saves you money even if the overall rate is a little higher. If your motivation for going electric was about cutting carbon emissions, perhaps you would pay slightly more for an all-renewable tariff.
How to save money with an EV tariff
EV tariffs are a smart way to lower your electricity bills, not just for your car, but for your entire home. By understanding how they work and making a few savvy adjustments, you can unlock serious savings without lifting a finger (well, maybe just to set a timer). Here’s how to make the most of it.
Optimise with a Smart Charger
Smart chargers skip peak-time costs and sync with your EV tariff to save you money, automatically. They learn your habits, protect your battery, and even pair with your solar panels to charge using sunshine. Smarter charging, bigger savings.
Schedule Correctly & Save Big
Maximise your EV tariff by charging during off-peak hours. Smart chargers can automate this overnight, hitting the lowest rates. Set a minimum battery level, and you’re sorted, safe, efficient, and effortlessly aligned with your cheapest energy window.
Shift Your Home Energy Use
EV tariffs lower costs on all off-peak electricity. Run appliances like your washer or dishwasher early in the morning, when you’re up. It’s safer, smarter, and helps your whole home take advantage of cheaper energy.
Be Aware of Time Changes
Don’t get caught out by daylight saving! Clock changes might shift your off-peak window by an hour. Always check with your energy provider if you need to adjust your smart charging schedule when the clocks go forward or back. A quick tweak could protect your savings.
Cut Costs on Installation
Installing a home charge point typically costs £800–£1,000 including hardware and labour. But there are ways to reduce that:
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Bundle with a supplier: Some EV tariffs include discounted chargers and installation, just check what models are included.
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Check with your employer: Salary sacrifice schemes or company car setups can lower upfront costs.
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Ask about support: If you drive for work, employers may help fund your charger, especially if it saves on fuel reimbursements.
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Apply for a government grant: If you live in a flat with a private parking space, you could claim up to £350 toward installation through the EV chargepoint grant.
Roo’s got your back...
It only takes a few clicks to compare energy tariffs, understand your options, and find a deal that works for you, no stress, no pressure, no roo-nonsense.
Mark Labbett Says...
Still charging your EV on a standard tariff? You could be paying way more than you need to—especially at peak times. And with rates that can spike without warning, that’s a shock no one wants.
The good news?
EV tariffs are here to help. They offer cheaper overnight rates and smarter savings across your whole home. And with a smart charger, you don’t even have to think about it, just plug in and let the tech do the rest.
When you compare EV tariffs with Roo, you’ll see the best options laid out clearly, so you can lock in lower costs with total confidence.
Electric vehicle charging FAQs
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Can I charge my EV for free?
While charging your EV at home will cost you depending on your electricity tariff and the time of day you’re charging, there are many free public charging points available across the UK. Supermarkets are a particularly good place to look – Tesco, for example, has over 600 around the country. Additionally, many hotels have free charging points for guests’ use, and workplaces are increasingly investing in EV charging point installation for employees.
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How much does it cost to charge an EV?
A home EV charging station could cost as much as £1,600 for the charger and installation combined. The ongoing cost you then need to consider is the daily cost of charging the electric car, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re on an electricity deal that works for you, whether it’s an EV-specific tariff or not.
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How do I pay for charging my electric car?
You’ll pay for electric car charging in the same way you pay for your electricity currently – whichever method you use and how often you pay it. It’ll probably be included in your current electricity bill, though, so you should be prepared to pay more for that than you used to (though this will be offset by the money you were spending on diesel or petrol).
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Can you charge an electric car at home with a normal plug?
Electric car charging at home with a normal plug is possible, but it should be a last resort. This is because it’s incredibly slow and if the car has a large battery, which many increasingly do, it could take over a day to fully charge it with a standard three-point plug that runs at 3kW.
This is why specific chargers are recommended – they can charge at up to 22kW, though most suppliers offer 3kW or 7kW as standard.
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Is charging electric cars at home expensive?
The cost of electric car charging at home varies significantly depending on your car, your charger, the amount you need to drive and therefore charge, the type of electricity tariff you have and subsequently the time of day (or night) you’re charging your car. It can significantly increase your electricity bill, but you won’t be paying for petrol or diesel (unless you have a hybrid) so there may not be too much of a difference in terms of your overall outgoings.
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