Ecotricity EcoFixed EV: 8p overnight charging, fixed for a year
Most EV tariffs in the UK are add-ons you can only take once you are already a customer. Ecotricity’s EcoFixed EV is one of the few you can switch to directly — 8.05p to 8.80p per kWh between midnight and 5am depending on where you live, held for 12 months.
It is also one of the few where we hold the supplier’s own rate card, so the figures below are the real regional rates rather than a headline number.
What the EcoFixed EV tariff actually is
It is a 12-month fixed dual-fuel tariff with a five-hour cheap window from midnight to 5am. Unlike a smart tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go, nothing schedules your car for you — the window is fixed, and it is on you to set the charger timer to use it.
Three things rule people out before price even matters. It is dual fuel only, so you cannot take it for electricity alone. A smart meter is mandatory, not merely preferred. And billing is paperless and managed online only.
EcoFixed EV rates by region
Unit rates include VAT at the rate applying when Ecotricity issued this rate card. Standing charges are shown per day.
| Region | Off-peak (00:00–05:00) | Day rate | Elec standing | Gas rate | Gas standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 8.36p | 33.81p | 54.15p | 8.12p | 29.60p |
| East Midlands | 8.05p | 32.58p | 53.05p | 8.12p | 29.59p |
| London | 8.19p | 33.99p | 44.35p | 8.49p | 29.75p |
| Manweb | 8.80p | 35.02p | 69.94p | 8.28p | 29.66p |
| Midlands | 8.35p | 32.81p | 59.29p | 8.18p | 29.62p |
| Northern | 8.09p | 32.78p | 63.48p | 8.10p | 29.60p |
| Norweb | 8.15p | 33.64p | 46.89p | 8.15p | 29.61p |
| Scottish Hydro | 8.54p | 33.82p | 58.19p | 8.16p | 29.62p |
| Scottish Power | 8.15p | 32.77p | 64.69p | 8.16p | 29.62p |
| Seeboard | 8.36p | 34.02p | 54.72p | 8.34p | 29.68p |
| Southern | 8.25p | 33.67p | 49.66p | 8.56p | 29.77p |
| Swalec | 8.39p | 33.52p | 56.83p | 8.33p | 29.67p |
| SWEB | 8.15p | 33.57p | 58.27p | 8.57p | 29.77p |
| Yorkshire | 8.38p | 32.82p | 63.69p | 8.23p | 29.64p |
Source: Ecotricity’s own rate card for this tariff, loaded into our tariff data. Exit fee is £100 per fuel.
The catch nobody puts in the headline
The overnight rate is genuinely cheap. The day rate is not. At 32.58p to 35.02p per kWh it sits comfortably above the Ofgem price cap, so every unit you use outside the window costs you more than it would if you simply stayed put.
That sets a threshold worth knowing before you switch. Comparing on a VAT-free basis against the 26.32p capped unit rate for October 2026 onward, between 20% and 28% of your electricity has to fall inside the midnight–5am window just to break even — call it a quarter, varying by region. Below that you lose money against the cap. Above it, the savings build quickly.
For a household charging an EV overnight most nights, a quarter is very achievable. For someone who bought an EV but charges at work, or who is home all day with electric heating, it is not. The tariff rewards one specific pattern and quietly penalises everything else.
How it compares
Against the smart EV tariffs, EcoFixed EV trades flexibility for certainty. A smart tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go typically lands slightly lower per kWh and can extend the cheap period when the grid is quiet, but it decides when your car charges. EcoFixed EV gives you a fixed five hours, a fixed price for 12 months, and no algorithm in the loop.
Its real distinction is availability. Most of the tariffs it competes with are only open to existing customers of that supplier, which means switching first and hoping the add-on is still there. This one you can move to directly, and the electricity is 100% renewable.
Worth comparing against the rest of the market before you commit — see our EV tariff comparison and off-peak rate guide.
Check it against your own usage
The only figure that settles it is your own. Enter your postcode and usage and we will price this tariff and the rest of the market together.
Ecotricity EV tariff FAQs
What are the off-peak hours on Ecotricity EcoFixed EV?
Midnight to 5am, every day — five hours. The window is fixed, so your charger needs a timer set to match it.
How cheap is the overnight rate?
Between 8.05p and 8.80p per kWh including VAT, depending on your region. The cheapest regions are in the Midlands and the North; Manweb (Merseyside and North Wales) is the most expensive.
Do I need a smart meter?
Yes. A smart meter is mandatory on this tariff, not optional — the supplier cannot bill a time-of-use window without one.
Can I take it for electricity only?
No. EcoFixed EV is dual fuel only, so you need to take gas from Ecotricity too.
What happens if I leave early?
There is a £100 exit fee per fuel, so £200 on a dual-fuel switch, until the 12-month term ends.
Is the day rate really higher than the price cap?
Yes, and that is the trade-off. It runs 32.58p to 35.02p per kWh. Roughly a quarter of your electricity needs to fall in the overnight window before the tariff beats staying on capped rates.
Is the electricity renewable?
Yes — Ecotricity supplies 100% renewable electricity on this tariff.
How long does switching take?
A domestic switch normally completes in about five working days once the cooling off period starts, and your supply is never interrupted.
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