What is an Economy 7 tariff and how does it work for EV charging?

Economy 7 is a dual-rate electricity tariff with a cheaper off-peak unit rate for around 7 hours overnight and a higher day rate. If you charge your EV mostly during the off-peak window, you can reduce charging costs significantly. Compare current Economy 7 options and get help choosing the best setup at https://www.energyplus.co.uk/ev-charger/.

When are Economy 7 off-peak hours in the UK?

Off-peak hours vary by supplier, region, and meter configuration, but they’re typically overnight (often between roughly 11pm and 8am). Your exact times will be shown on your bill, in your online account, or by your meter operator. If you’re scheduling EV charging, confirm your specific off-peak window before setting a charger timer.

How do I find the cheapest Economy 7 tariff rates for January 2026?

To find the cheapest Economy 7 deal, compare (1) the off-peak unit rate, (2) the day rate, (3) the standing charge, and (4) any exit fees—then estimate costs using your split of day vs night usage. If your household can shift EV charging, hot water, or appliances to off-peak, Economy 7 can be very cost-effective. For EV-charging-focused guidance, see https://www.energyplus.co.uk/ev-charger/.

Is Economy 7 worth it if I have an electric vehicle?

Economy 7 is often worth it for EV owners who can reliably charge overnight, because the off-peak unit rate can be much cheaper than the standard day rate. It’s usually less suitable if most of your electricity use happens during the day and can’t be shifted. A smart charger or scheduled charging can help maximise off-peak usage.

What’s the difference between Economy 7 and EV-specific tariffs?

Economy 7 provides a single overnight off-peak period (about 7 hours). Some EV-specific tariffs offer different off-peak windows, extra cheap charging periods, or smart charging features tied to an app. The best choice depends on your driving patterns, when you can charge, and the overall day rate and standing charge.

Do I need a smart meter for Economy 7 or cheap off-peak EV charging?

Not always. Traditional Economy 7 can work with older dual-rate meters. However, many newer EV tariffs and time-of-use products require a smart meter to measure half-hourly or time-banded usage accurately. If you’re unsure what meter you have, check your bill or ask your supplier.

Can I use a smart EV charger with Economy 7 to automatically charge off-peak?

Yes. Many smart chargers let you schedule charging to start and stop within your off-peak window, helping you capture the lower Economy 7 rate. If you’re choosing a charger for off-peak charging, explore options at https://www.energyplus.co.uk/ev-charger/.

How can I maximise savings on Economy 7 beyond EV charging?

You can increase savings by shifting other electricity-heavy tasks to off-peak hours—such as running the dishwasher or washing machine overnight (where safe), charging home batteries, or heating water with an immersion heater on a timer. The more usage you move to off-peak, the more Economy 7 tends to pay off.

Are there any downsides to switching to Economy 7?

Potential downsides include a higher day rate and sometimes a higher standing charge than a single-rate tariff. If you don’t use enough electricity off-peak, total costs can increase. Always compare using your real day/night usage split before switching.

How do I switch to an Economy 7 tariff and start charging cheaply overnight?

Switching usually involves choosing an Economy 7 or time-of-use tariff with your supplier (or switching supplier), then confirming your meter supports dual-rate billing (or arranging a meter change if required). Once active, set your EV or smart charger schedule to your off-peak hours. For EV charging help and guidance, visit https://www.energyplus.co.uk/ev-charger/.

Cheapest Economy 7 tariff rates UK (January 2026)

Compare whole-of-market Economy 7 deals for your home and see the lowest off-peak prices available for your postcode. Submit the form to check January 2026 rates from leading UK suppliers in minutes.

Whole-of-market comparison for Economy 7 (not just a panel)
See day vs night unit rates and standing charges side by side
Find tariffs that suit EV charging, storage heaters and overnight usage
Switch support: clear next steps, no jargon

Check my Economy 7 rates How Economy 7 works

Home energy only. Results depend on your meter type, region and usage split. January 2026 rates can change—compare today for live availability.

Compare Economy 7 tariff rates for January 2026 (whole-of-market)

Economy 7 tariffs have two unit rates: a higher day rate and a cheaper night (off-peak) rate, plus a standing charge. The “cheapest Economy 7 tariff” for your home depends on how much electricity you use overnight and your distribution region.

Use the form to see tariffs available to your postcode. We’ll highlight:

Off-peak unit rate (p/kWh)
Peak/day unit rate (p/kWh)
Standing charge (p/day)
Estimated cost based on your day/night usage split

Tip for January: Off-peak usage often rises in winter (heating, hot water, EV charging). If your overnight consumption increases, Economy 7 can become significantly better value—provided the day rate and standing charge are still competitive.

What “cheapest Economy 7 tariff” means in January 2026

For Economy 7, a tariff can look cheap because it has a very low off-peak unit rate—but the day rate or standing charge might be higher. The true “cheapest” option is the one with the lowest estimated annual cost for your usage pattern.

1) Your off-peak share

Economy 7 tends to work best if a meaningful chunk of your electricity is used overnight (often 30–40%+). EVs, immersion heaters and storage heaters can increase this share.

2) Region & meter type

Prices vary by distribution region. Your meter (traditional E7, smart meter with time-of-use, or restricted hours) also affects what you can access.

3) Tariff structure

Some tariffs have attractive night rates but higher standing charges. We compare the full cost, not just headline p/kWh.

January 2026 note: The “cheapest” Economy 7 rate can change as suppliers update pricing. Use the form above to view current availability for your postcode.

How Economy 7 works (day rate vs night rate)

Economy 7 gives you 7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight (off-peak). The exact hours can vary by area and meter configuration (for example, some split the hours). A smart meter can record your usage by time band for eligible time-of-use tariffs.

Typical Economy 7 components

Charge	What it means
Night unit rate	Cheaper p/kWh for off-peak hours. Key for EV charging and heating water overnight.
Day unit rate	Higher p/kWh for the rest of the day. Can outweigh night savings if you use most electricity during peak times.
Standing charge	Fixed daily cost for having a supply (covers network, metering and other costs). Important to compare in January 2026 pricing.

How to identify your off-peak hours

Check your latest bill: it may show Rate 1 / Rate 2 or day/night.
Look at your meter: some Economy 7 meters cycle through registers labelled Low/Normal or 1/2.
If you have a smart meter, ask your supplier what your Economy 7 time band is (it can vary by region).
If you’re unsure, submit the form—our team can help confirm what you’re on before you switch.

Avoid switching to Economy 7 if you can’t move enough usage to off-peak. We’ll help you estimate your day/night split.

Who typically gets the cheapest results on Economy 7?

Economy 7 isn’t automatically cheaper—it rewards households that can use more electricity overnight. These are common “best-fit” scenarios:

EV charging at home

Charging overnight can shift a large portion of usage into the cheaper window—especially in winter when day usage is higher.

Storage heaters / immersion

Economy 7 was designed for overnight heating and hot water. If your system is set up correctly, you can take advantage of off-peak rates.

Flexible routines

Dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer can be run off-peak (safely and within manufacturer guidance) to improve your night share.

Economy 7 comparison checklist (to get accurate January 2026 prices)

To show the most accurate “cheapest Economy 7 tariff” options, it helps to know (or estimate) a few details. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything—submit the form and we’ll guide you.

Have handy (if possible)

Your postcode (for regional rates)
Current supplier and tariff name
Whether you have an Economy 7 meter or smart meter
Approximate annual electricity usage (kWh) or a recent bill
Your best guess at night usage % (EV or heating makes this higher)

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing based on the night rate only and ignoring standing charge
Assuming off-peak hours are the same everywhere (they’re not)
Switching to Economy 7 without a realistic way to move usage overnight
Not checking if your heating/hot water controls are set to the off-peak window

Compare Economy 7 tariffs now Read FAQs

Regional considerations: why Economy 7 rates vary across the UK

Economy 7 prices are influenced by your electricity distribution region (the network that delivers power to your home). This affects the standing charge and unit rates you’ll see in January 2026.

Factor	What it changes	What to do
Distribution region	Different standing charges and unit rates by area	Compare using your postcode for accurate results
Meter configuration	Off-peak times and registers may vary	Confirm your off-peak window before switching
Supplier availability	Not every tariff is available in every region	Whole-of-market comparison helps avoid missing options

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland: Availability and pricing can differ. Enter your postcode to see what’s actually available where you live.

FAQs: cheapest Economy 7 tariff rates (UK)

Is Economy 7 always cheaper?

No. Economy 7 is usually only cheaper if you can use a substantial portion of electricity during off-peak hours. If most of your usage is daytime, the higher day rate can cost more overall.

What are the Economy 7 night hours?

Typically 7 hours overnight, but the exact times vary by region and meter. Some meters have split off-peak periods. Always confirm the time band before changing habits or switching.

Can I switch from single-rate to Economy 7?

Often yes, but it may require a meter change or reconfiguration. We’ll help you understand whether you’re eligible and whether it’s likely to reduce your bill.

Does Economy 7 work with smart meters?

Yes—smart meters can support Economy 7 and other time-of-use tariffs where available. Your supplier can confirm your tariff and time bands.

I have storage heaters—should I choose Economy 7?

Many storage heating systems were designed for Economy 7, but it depends on your property and controls. We’ll compare costs using your expected day/night split and recommend the best option.

How do I know if a tariff is truly the cheapest for me?

Compare total estimated cost using your usage split, not just the night rate. Include standing charge and check the day rate isn’t unusually high.

Need help working out your day vs night usage? Use the comparison form and we’ll help you estimate it.

Why use EnergyPlus for Economy 7 comparisons?

Whole-of-market approach

We aim to show a broad view of available home tariffs, so you can make a confident decision—especially important for specialist tariffs like Economy 7.

Comparison that matches real usage

We focus on total cost, factoring in day/night rates and standing charges so “cheap” means cheaper for your household, not just on paper.

Clear switching support

If you decide to switch, we’ll outline what happens next and what to check (meter compatibility, timings, and any required steps).

What people say

Real households care about clarity: what they’ll pay in the day, what they’ll pay overnight, and whether switching is worth it. Here’s what customers typically value when comparing:

“The breakdown of day vs night rates made it easy to understand whether Economy 7 would actually save us money.”
Homeowner, Midlands

“We charge our car overnight—seeing the off-peak rate next to the standing charge helped us pick the right tariff.”
EV driver, South East

“No pushy sales talk—just a clear comparison and what to do next.”
Tenant, North West

Trust note: Always check tariff details before switching, including unit rates, standing charge, tariff length and any exit fees. We’ll show key points during comparison.

Ready to find the cheapest Economy 7 tariff for your home?

Check live January 2026 Economy 7 rates by postcode and compare day/night pricing in one place. Whole-of-market approach, home energy only.

Compare Economy 7 rates Learn how we calculate “cheapest”

Switching is subject to eligibility and supplier availability. Always confirm off-peak hours for your meter.

Quick recap

Economy 7 has day + night rates
Best value depends on your night usage
Region and standing charge matter
Compare by postcode for accuracy

Back to EV Charger

Updated on 28 Dec 2025