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  • Oct 4, 2022

  • 5 min read

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How EV tariffs work for electric cars

Want to know what the best home energy tariffs are for electric cars, and why it's worth switching to an EV tariff?

We’ve got you covered!

As the world becomes greener, with electric vehicles proving to be the much-needed solution for zero emissions in the car industry, the world has begun to prepare. And that means more than just cars and chargers. Energy tariffs are an important part of making the switch.

Octopus Energy has created affordable and smart tariffs to help you secure the best energy tariffs for electric cars - designed for drivers to charge up cheap on abundant green energy.

These tariff options are for those who want to charge up in the most affordable way, with a low rate per unit of electricity used at night - while you’re resting up for the evening.

Usage is tracked and charged through the use of a smart meter. That’s really all you need to get started. And don’t fear if you don’t currently have a meter, we’ll get a free smart meter set up when you switch to Octopus Energy.

Octopus Energy has several options on offer, all while providing the best bang for your buck.

Intelligent Octopus Go is the next generation of green electric vehicle charging. It gives you six hours of smart charging every night at a super low rate. This currently works with any EV as long as you have the Ohme Home Pro charger. Don't have an Ohme Home Pro charger? Tesla, Jaguar and Land Rover EVs are compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go regardless of the home charger you have.

Interested in saving more with renewable energy? Discover EV tariffs here.

Do I need to tell my energy provider I have an EV?

If you’re on a regular tariff, you don’t have to tell your energy provider that you’ve bought an electric car.

You’ll pay the same amount per kWh for your energy as you usually would.

But it’s a good idea to check if they offer an EV tariff to make sure when you’re charging at home that it’s as cost-efficient as possible.

Does charging an electric car mean paying more on electricity bills?

When you add any device to your household there will be an increase in energy used. However, the cost of charging an electric car is pretty much always cheaper than filling a petrol or diesel car - so you’re saving money in other places.

Plus with Octopus Energy, there are ways to bring your overall electricity bills down even further - super cheap electricity overnight. What’s not to love about saving money?

How green are EV tariffs?

While we can’t speak for everyone, at Octopus Energy, our EV tariffs are as green as they come. Your car will be fully charged using 100% renewable energy from sources like sun, wind, and water, as we’re Europe’s biggest investor in solar energy.

Our energy comes directly from UK green generators, community generators, and over 300 renewable sites managed by Octopus Energy Generation. Being 100% renewable helps us move towards a low-carbon future. We also encourage customers to use power when there’s plenty of renewable energy being produced that might otherwise go to waste.

And that doesn’t mean you have to stumble out of bed at 4am trying to turn off the charger in a panic. Smart home tech can be paired with the tariffs to switch your charger on or off automatically.

Is it worth switching to an EV tariff?

As an electric vehicle driver, switching to an EV tariff means avoiding the energy ‘rush hour’ often experienced at peak times throughout the day.

Energy is the cheapest and greenest when people are using less energy, and switching to an EV tariff helps you take full advantage. Meaning you’ll pay less for more clean and green energy.

Can I switch to an EV tariff like Intelligent Octopus Go?

Switching to an EV tariff with Octopus Energy is simple, and we’ll get you up and running in no time.

You’ll be glad you did too, with 6 hours of super cheap energy every night. The cheap charging period covers more than just cars too. You can charge whatever you want during the 6 hour period! Whether that’s an immersion heater, water, a hot tub for an early morning soak, or whatever your heart desires. As long as it has a battery, we can charge it.

If you need to charge during the day, that’s fine too. There’s a peak unit price that runs between 11:30 am and 05:30 am and will vary depending on where you are in the UK.

Whether you’re switching to Octopus Energy or you’re already a customer, we’ll connect the dots behind the scenes so you can be on the best price possible.

Intelligent Octopus Go is perfect for those with an electric car and a home EV charger, have a smart meter (we can get you Intelligent Octopus Go ready if not) and that’s it. It's as simple as that, and it’s one of the best energy tariffs for electric cars.

To start saving money, time, and the planet, sign up to Intelligent Octopus Go.