EV drivers urged to switch to smart tariffs as electricity costs rise

Electric car drivers will now need to pay more to charge their vehicle at home following the increase to the standard price for electricity in the UK.

UK energy regulator Ofgem confirmed that the energy price cap between 1 October and 31 December 2025 will increase by 2%, pushing the Standard Variable Tariff for electricity up from 25.73p/kWh to 26.25p/kWh. 

For reference, that means the cost to charge a 52kWh battery from zero to full will now cost £13.70 — an increase of 33p. That means drivers who charge from flat to fall twice a week could pay an additional £8 per month.

While the price rise will only have a small effect on electric car drivers, customers are being urged to switch to a dual-rate or a smart EV tariff, which offers lower prices at off-peak times.

David Watson, CEO of home charging provider Ohme, said, “Any EV driver charging at home should look at switching to one of the wide range of smart electricity tariffs to help them reduce their everyday running costs.

“Charging at home is still the most affordable place for EV drivers to charge their cars even with this latest rise and changing to a smart tariff will enable to maximise those savings still further.”

For example, tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go offer rates as low as 7p/kWh with its ‘smart charging’, which charges your car when rates are at their cheapest (usually overnight). According to Ohme, these tariffs mean that drivers could run their electric car for less than £10 a month.

Ohme claims that, with one of its smart chargers combined with the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff, fully charging an Audi A6 Avant e-tron with a 75.8kWh battery could cost just £5.31. On the new standard rate, however, that same charge would cost £19.97.

However, you'll need to check if your car and charger are compatible with such tariffs.

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