Time-of-Use EV Charging Tariffs: Complete UK Optimization Guide 2025
Time-of-use (TOU) energy tariffs can slash your home EV charging costs by 60-75% compared to standard flat-rate tariffs. For UK homeowners driving 10,000 miles annually, that's a saving of £400-£600 per year—enough to recover your charger investment in less than two years.
This comprehensive guide explains how time-of-use tariffs work, compares the best UK EV-specific tariffs available in 2025, and provides step-by-step strategies for maximising your savings through smart charging schedules.
What Are Time-of-Use Energy Tariffs?
Time-of-use tariffs charge different electricity rates depending on the time of day. These tariffs reflect the actual cost of generating and distributing electricity, which varies significantly throughout the day.
Standard flat-rate tariff: Same price 24/7 (typically 24-27p/kWh in 2025)
Time-of-use tariff: Variable pricing based on demand:
- Off-peak (typically 00:00-07:00): 7-10p/kWh
- Standard (typically 07:00-16:00 and 20:00-00:00): 22-26p/kWh
- Peak (typically 16:00-20:00): 28-35p/kWh
Why TOU Tariffs Exist
The UK electricity grid experiences predictable daily demand patterns:
Low demand (midnight to early morning): Power stations run inefficiently at partial capacity, renewable energy is often wasted, and grid costs are minimal. Suppliers offer cheap rates to encourage consumption.
High demand (evening peak 16:00-20:00): Everyone arrives home, cooks dinner, and uses appliances simultaneously. The grid must activate expensive backup power stations, and electricity is genuinely more expensive to generate.
Time-of-use tariffs pass these savings (and costs) to consumers, incentivising you to shift usage from expensive peak hours to cheap off-peak hours.
Perfect for EV Charging
Electric vehicles are ideal for TOU tariffs because:
✅ Flexible charging: You can schedule charging for any time overnight ✅ Large energy consumption: EVs use 2,000-4,000 kWh/year, maximising savings ✅ Predictable patterns: Most drivers charge overnight while parked at home ✅ Smart charger integration: Modern chargers automate off-peak scheduling
Example savings (Tesla Model 3, 10,000 miles/year, 3,000 kWh annual EV usage):
Standard flat-rate tariff (25p/kWh):
- Annual EV charging cost: £750
Time-of-use tariff (8p/kWh off-peak, 90% overnight charging):
- Off-peak charging (2,700 kWh): £216
- Peak/standard charging (300 kWh): £75
- Annual cost: £291
- Saving: £459 (61%)
That's £459 per year saved just by scheduling charging during off-peak hours.
Best UK Time-of-Use EV Tariffs 2025
1. Octopus Intelligent Go
Best for: Smart charger owners, Octopus-compatible vehicles
Off-peak rate: 7p/kWh (6 hours guaranteed + smart slots) Off-peak hours: 23:30-05:30 (guaranteed) + flexible smart slots Standard rate: 24p/kWh (all other times) Standing charge: 41p/day
How it works:
- Plug in your EV anytime before 23:30
- Tell the app when you need the car charged by
- Octopus automatically charges during the cheapest 6 hours between 23:30-05:30
- If you have a compatible charger/vehicle, Octopus may add extra cheap slots outside the core window
Compatible chargers: Ohme, Wallbox, Hypervolt, Indra, Sync EV Compatible vehicles: Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X, Volkswagen ID.3/4/5, Audi e-tron
Annual cost (10,000 miles, 3,000 kWh, 95% off-peak): £260 Saving vs standard tariff: £490
Pros: ✅ Cheapest off-peak rate (7p/kWh) ✅ Flexible smart charging beyond core hours ✅ Simple app control ✅ Works with smart chargers and compatible EVs
Cons: ❌ Requires compatible smart charger or EV ❌ Higher standard rate (24p) for peak usage ❌ Not suitable if you charge during daytime
Best for: Tech-savvy EV owners with Octopus-compatible equipment who want maximum savings.
2. OVO Charge Anytime
Best for: Any EV owner (no equipment restrictions)
Off-peak rate: 7p/kWh Off-peak hours: Flexible (OVO schedules cheapest hours) Standard rate: 26p/kWh Standing charge: 45p/day
How it works:
- Set your charging target (e.g., "charge to 80% by 08:00")
- OVO automatically schedules charging during the cheapest overnight hours
- Works with any EV and any charger (including granny chargers)
- App shows scheduled charging times
Annual cost (10,000 miles, 3,000 kWh, 90% off-peak): £267 Saving vs standard tariff: £483
Pros: ✅ Works with any charger (no smart charger required) ✅ Works with any EV ✅ Cheapest rate matches Octopus (7p/kWh) ✅ Simple setup
Cons: ❌ Must use OVO app (can't schedule directly in charger) ❌ Slightly higher standing charge ❌ Less control over exact charging times
Best for: EV owners who don't have smart chargers or want flexibility to change chargers/vehicles.
3. E.ON Next Drive
Best for: E.ON smart meter customers
Off-peak rate: 9p/kWh Off-peak hours: 00:00-07:00 (7 hours fixed) Standard rate: 25p/kWh Standing charge: 40p/day
How it works:
- Simple fixed off-peak window (00:00-07:00)
- Schedule charging using your EV or charger scheduler
- No app or smart integration required
- Predictable costs and timing
Annual cost (10,000 miles, 3,000 kWh, 90% off-peak): £318 Saving vs standard tariff: £432
Pros: ✅ Simple fixed off-peak window (easy to schedule) ✅ 7-hour window (longest fixed window) ✅ Works with any charger ✅ No special equipment needed
Cons: ❌ Slightly higher off-peak rate (9p vs 7p) ❌ No smart optimisation ❌ Fixed hours (less flexibility)
Best for: Homeowners who want simplicity, predictability, and don't want app-dependent charging.
4. British Gas Electric Driver
Best for: British Gas loyal customers
Off-peak rate: 9p/kWh Off-peak hours: 00:00-05:00 (5 hours fixed) Standard rate: 27p/kWh Standing charge: 42p/day
How it works:
- Fixed 5-hour off-peak window
- Schedule charging using your EV or charger
- British Gas Hive app integration (optional)
Annual cost (10,000 miles, 3,000 kWh, 85% off-peak): £343 Saving vs standard tariff: £407
Pros: ✅ British Gas brand trust ✅ Hive smart home integration ✅ Straightforward fixed hours
Cons: ❌ Shortest off-peak window (5 hours) ❌ Higher standard rate ❌ Smaller savings than competitors
Best for: Existing British Gas customers who value brand trust and Hive integration.
5. EDF GoElectric 35
Best for: Daytime charging needs
Off-peak rate: 10p/kWh Off-peak hours: 09:00-17:00 (8 hours daytime) Standard rate: 25p/kWh Standing charge: 38p/day
How it works:
- Unique daytime off-peak window
- Ideal for work-from-home EV owners
- Can charge during day while working
- Also benefits daytime appliance usage
Annual cost (10,000 miles, 3,000 kWh, 70% off-peak): £390 Saving vs standard tariff: £360
Pros: ✅ Daytime off-peak (perfect for work-from-home) ✅ Benefits all daytime appliance usage ✅ Longer off-peak window (8 hours)
Cons: ❌ Not suitable for typical overnight charging ❌ Higher off-peak rate (10p) ❌ Smaller EV-specific savings
Best for: Work-from-home professionals who can charge during 09:00-17:00 and want daytime appliance savings too.
How to Choose the Right TOU Tariff
Decision Matrix
Do you have a smart charger (Ohme, Wallbox, Hypervolt)? → Yes: Octopus Intelligent Go (best savings, smart optimisation) → No: OVO Charge Anytime (works with any charger)
Do you charge 100% overnight (00:00-07:00)? → Yes: E.ON Next Drive (simplicity, 7-hour window) → No: Octopus Intelligent Go (flexible scheduling)
Do you work from home and can charge during the day? → Yes: EDF GoElectric 35 (daytime off-peak 09:00-17:00) → No: Octopus Intelligent Go or E.ON Next Drive
Are you a British Gas customer with Hive? → Yes: British Gas Electric Driver (ecosystem integration) → No: Choose based on savings (Octopus or OVO)
Annual Cost Comparison (10,000 miles/year, 3,000 kWh)
| Tariff | Off-Peak Rate | Annual Cost | Saving vs Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 7p/kWh | £260 | £490 (65%) |
| OVO Charge Anytime | 7p/kWh | £267 | £483 (64%) |
| E.ON Next Drive | 9p/kWh | £318 | £432 (58%) |
| British Gas Electric Driver | 9p/kWh | £343 | £407 (54%) |
| EDF GoElectric 35 | 10p/kWh | £390 | £360 (48%) |
| Standard flat-rate | 25p/kWh | £750 | £0 (baseline) |
Assumes 90% off-peak charging for Octopus/OVO/E.ON, 85% for British Gas, 70% for EDF daytime tariff
Maximising TOU Tariff Savings: Smart Strategies
1. Schedule 100% of Charging During Off-Peak
Target: Charge exclusively during off-peak hours (00:00-07:00)
How:
- Never charge immediately when arriving home (16:00-20:00 peak)
- Use your EV's built-in charge scheduler or smart charger app
- Set charging to start at 00:30 (after off-peak begins)
- Calculate required charging time: [Battery size] ÷ [Charger power]
Example (60kWh battery, 20% to 80%, 7kW charger):
- Energy needed: 36 kWh
- Charging time: 36 kWh ÷ 7 kW = 5.1 hours
- Start time: 01:00 (finishes by 06:06, well within off-peak)
Savings impact: +15% additional savings by avoiding any peak/standard rate charging
2. Shift Household Usage to Off-Peak Too
TOU tariffs apply to your entire home, not just EV charging. Shift other high-energy tasks to off-peak hours:
Overnight off-peak (00:00-07:00):
- Dishwasher (delayed start)
- Washing machine (delayed start)
- Tumble dryer (if safe overnight)
- Immersion heater (if you have one)
- Dehumidifier (continuous operation)
Annual household savings (shifting 40% of usage to off-peak):
- Typical household usage: 2,900 kWh/year
- Shifted to off-peak: 1,160 kWh
- Saving: 1,160 kWh × (25p - 8p) = £197/year
Combined EV + household savings: £459 + £197 = £656/year
3. Smart Charger Automation
Best practice: Use a smart charger to fully automate off-peak charging without manual intervention.
Recommended smart chargers for TOU optimisation:
Ohme Home Pro (£850-£950):
- Direct Octopus Intelligent Go integration
- Automatic cheapest-hour scheduling
- 4G connectivity (no WiFi dependency)
- Best automation experience
Wallbox Pulsar Plus (£750-£900):
- App-based scheduling
- Power Boost load management
- Multiple vehicle profiles
- Excellent value
Hypervolt Home 3 (£900-£1,050):
- British-made reliability
- Octopus integration
- Solar-ready
Setup steps:
- Install smart charger
- Connect to WiFi and complete app setup
- Link tariff (if supported, e.g., Octopus with Ohme)
- Set charging preferences (target %, departure time)
- Charger handles all scheduling automatically
Time saved: 3-5 minutes per day (no manual scheduling) Peace of mind: Never forget to schedule and accidentally charge at peak rates
4. Use Preconditioning During Off-Peak
Many EVs allow "preconditioning"—heating or cooling the cabin while still plugged in. This uses grid electricity instead of battery power, preserving range.
Strategy: Schedule preconditioning for 05:00-07:00 (still off-peak)
Example (Tesla Model 3):
- Set cabin to 21°C by 07:00 departure
- Preconditioning starts ~06:30 (using off-peak electricity)
- Uses 2-3 kWh from grid instead of battery
- Cost: 2.5 kWh × 8p = 20p (vs 2.5 kWh × 25p = 62p standard rate)
Winter savings (200 days preconditioning):
- 200 days × 2.5 kWh × (25p - 8p) = £85/year saved
5. Charge to 80% Daily, 100% Only When Needed
Battery longevity strategy: Most EV manufacturers recommend charging to 80% for daily use, reserving 100% for long trips.
TOU tariff benefit: Charging to 80% requires less time, making it easier to fit within off-peak windows.
Example (60kWh battery, 7kW charger):
- 20% → 80%: 36 kWh = 5.1 hours (easily fits in off-peak)
- 20% → 100%: 48 kWh = 6.9 hours (might extend into standard rate)
Best practice:
- Set daily charge limit to 80% in EV settings
- Only charge to 100% the night before long trips
- Maximises off-peak coverage and battery health
6. Monitor and Adjust with Data
Most smart chargers and energy suppliers provide usage dashboards. Review monthly to optimise:
Key metrics to track:
- % of charging during off-peak (target: 95%+)
- Average cost per kWh (target: below 10p)
- Monthly EV charging cost (benchmark against targets)
- Total household off-peak % (target: 50%+)
Monthly review (15 minutes):
- Check charging session history in app
- Identify any peak-time charging (mistakes)
- Adjust schedules to capture more off-peak
- Compare actual costs to projected savings
Continuous optimisation can recover an additional 5-10% savings over time.
Real UK Homeowner TOU Tariff Examples
Case Study 1: London Household, Octopus Intelligent Go
Profile:
- Location: London (semi-detached)
- EV: Volkswagen ID.3 (58kWh battery)
- Charger: Ohme Home Pro (7kW)
- Annual mileage: 11,000 miles
- Tariff: Octopus Intelligent Go
Results (12 months):
- EV charging: 3,200 kWh
- Average rate: 7.8p/kWh (97% off-peak)
- Annual EV cost: £250
- Household shifted: 45% usage to off-peak
- Total saving vs standard tariff: £538/year
Quote: "The Ohme charger and Octopus integration is brilliant. I plug in when I get home at 17:00, and it automatically charges overnight during the cheapest hours. I've saved over £500 in my first year—the charger paid for itself." – James, London
Case Study 2: Manchester Family, E.ON Next Drive
Profile:
- Location: Manchester (detached)
- EV: Nissan Leaf (40kWh battery)
- Charger: Wallbox Pulsar Plus (7kW)
- Annual mileage: 8,500 miles
- Tariff: E.ON Next Drive
Results (12 months):
- EV charging: 2,400 kWh
- Off-peak charging: 93% (fixed 00:00-07:00 schedule)
- Annual EV cost: £238
- Household off-peak: 38% (dishwasher, washing machine)
- Total saving vs standard tariff: £411/year
Quote: "We love the simplicity of E.ON Next Drive. The fixed 00:00-07:00 off-peak window is easy to understand and schedule. We've also shifted our dishwasher and washing machine to overnight, saving an extra £150 on household electricity." – Sarah, Manchester
Case Study 3: Edinburgh Work-from-Home, EDF GoElectric 35
Profile:
- Location: Edinburgh (terraced)
- EV: Tesla Model 3 (60kWh battery)
- Charger: Pod Point Solo 3 (7kW)
- Annual mileage: 9,000 miles
- Tariff: EDF GoElectric 35 (daytime off-peak 09:00-17:00)
Results (12 months):
- EV charging: 2,700 kWh
- Daytime charging: 75% (work-from-home flexibility)
- Annual EV cost: £291
- Household daytime usage: 55% (home office, appliances)
- Total saving vs standard tariff: £482/year
Quote: "Working from home meant I could charge during the day when EDF's rates are cheapest. I also benefit from cheaper daytime electricity for my home office, kettle, and cooking. It's perfect for my lifestyle." – Andrew, Edinburgh
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch to a TOU tariff if I don't have a smart meter?
Most EV-specific TOU tariffs require a smart meter (SMETS2) to track half-hourly consumption and enable off-peak rates.
How to get a smart meter:
- Contact your energy supplier (free installation)
- Book appointment (typically within 2-4 weeks)
- Installation takes 2-3 hours
- Switch to TOU tariff once smart meter is active
Exception: Some basic economy tariffs don't require smart meters, but offer worse rates than modern EV tariffs.
Recommendation: Get a smart meter installed before switching to a TOU tariff. Most suppliers install for free.
What if I occasionally need to charge during peak hours?
TOU tariffs charge higher rates during peak but don't penalise occasional peak usage—you just pay the standard/peak rate for that session.
Example scenario: Emergency daytime charge (30 kWh at 25p/kWh)
- Cost: £7.50 (vs £2.40 if charged off-peak)
- Extra cost: £5.10 (one-off)
Strategy for occasional peak charging:
- Accept the higher cost as rare exception
- Most months you'll charge 100% off-peak
- Annual savings still far exceed occasional peak costs
Real-world impact: 2-3 peak charging sessions per year reduces annual savings by ~5-8%, still leaving you with £420-£450 saved.
Will a TOU tariff increase my overall electricity bill?
Only if you don't shift usage to off-peak. TOU tariffs have higher peak rates than standard tariffs, so unoptimised usage can cost more.
Safe approach:
- Track your household usage for 1 month (smart meter app)
- Identify how much usage occurs during peak hours (16:00-20:00)
- Estimate if you can shift 40%+ of usage to off-peak
- If yes, TOU tariff will save money
- If no (e.g., family of 6, all home 16:00-20:00), stick with flat-rate
General rule: TOU tariffs benefit households that can shift 30-40%+ of usage to off-peak. EV charging alone typically achieves this threshold.
Can I combine TOU tariffs with solar panels?
Yes, but the benefits are different. TOU tariffs incentivise off-peak usage (night), while solar generates during the day.
Optimal strategy with solar:
- Use solar generation for daytime household consumption
- Charge EV overnight using cheap off-peak grid electricity
- Export excess solar to grid during daytime (SEG payments)
Why not charge EV from solar? Most UK homeowners are at work during peak solar generation hours. Overnight off-peak charging (7-9p/kWh) is often cheaper than solar self-consumption opportunity cost (if you could export at 15p/kWh SEG rate instead).
Best of both worlds: Solar for daytime household, TOU for overnight EV charging.
Do TOU tariffs work with three-phase chargers?
Yes, TOU tariffs apply to all electricity consumption regardless of charger type. Three-phase chargers (22kW) benefit even more because:
- Faster charging fits easily within off-peak windows
- Higher consumption maximises absolute savings
- Can fully charge 75kWh battery in 4-5 hours (well within typical 6-7 hour off-peak window)
The tariff rates (off-peak vs peak) are the same whether you use single-phase (7kW) or three-phase (22kW) charging.
Can I charge two EVs on a TOU tariff?
Yes, TOU tariffs apply to all household electricity consumption. Charging two EVs doubles your savings:
Example (two EVs, 10,000 miles each):
- Total EV usage: 6,000 kWh/year
- Standard tariff cost: £1,500/year
- TOU tariff cost (90% off-peak at 8p): £520/year
- Total saving: £980/year
Practical considerations:
- Check electrical capacity (two 7kW chargers = 14kW total)
- May need load-balancing if limited main fuse capacity
- Schedule charging sequentially to avoid overload (EV 1: 00:00-03:30, EV 2: 03:30-07:00)
Bottom line: Two-EV households benefit even more from TOU tariffs, with potential savings exceeding £900-£1,000 annually.
Conclusion: TOU Tariffs Are Essential for UK EV Owners
Time-of-use tariffs can reduce your home EV charging costs by 60-75%, delivering annual savings of £400-£600 for typical UK drivers. When combined with smart charger automation and household usage optimisation, total electricity savings can exceed £600-£700 per year.
Key takeaways:
✅ Switch to TOU tariff: Octopus Intelligent Go or E.ON Next Drive recommended for most homeowners ✅ Charge 90%+ overnight: Schedule all EV charging during off-peak hours (00:00-07:00) ✅ Shift household usage: Move dishwasher, washing machine, and other loads to off-peak ✅ Use smart charger: Automate scheduling with Ohme, Wallbox, or other smart chargers ✅ Monitor monthly: Track usage data and optimise schedules for maximum savings
Next step: Check if you have a smart meter, calculate your potential savings using the formulas in this guide, and sign up for a TOU tariff online today. Most switches complete within 3 weeks, and you'll start saving immediately.
The investment of 1-2 hours setting up a TOU tariff delivers £400-£600 annual savings for years to come—making it one of the highest-return actions any UK EV owner can take.
