Cheapest Nighttime EV Home Charging Tariffs in the UK

How nighttime EV home charging tariffs work

Nighttime EV tariffs are electricity deals that give you cheaper prices for electricity used overnight, usually when overall demand on the grid is lower. If you normally charge your EV at home during the evening or overnight, these tariffs can significantly reduce your running costs without changing how you drive.

Most cheap EV tariffs in the UK are:

• Time-of-use tariffs – different unit prices at different times of the day.
• Smart meter only – you need a smart meter so your supplier can measure exactly when you use power.
• Optimised for EV drivers – with off-peak windows aligned to typical charging times.

By shifting most of your consumption into the cheaper nighttime window, you pay less per kWh for your EV charging and, in many cases, for other appliances you run overnight too.

Typical off-peak hours for cheap EV charging

Every supplier sets their own off-peak window, but most nighttime EV home tariffs fall into one of these patterns:

• Short super-cheap window: e.g. 4–5 hours between 00:00 and 05:00, with very low unit rates for fast, overnight charging.
• Extended off-peak window: e.g. 6–10 hours overnight, ideal if you have a larger battery or also want to run appliances cheaply.
• Dynamic or flexible pricing: rates that change throughout the day, sometimes offering ultra-cheap (or even negative) prices during periods of high renewable generation.

To find the cheapest nighttime EV tariff for your home, you need to match the off-peak hours to your lifestyle and your EV charging pattern. If your car is usually plugged in from evening until morning, a slightly longer off-peak window may be more forgiving than a very short cheap period.

How much can you save with cheap overnight EV charging?

Your exact savings depend on your mileage, your EV's efficiency, and the tariff you choose, but switching to a cheap nighttime tariff can reduce your charging costs dramatically.

As a simple illustration:

• A typical UK EV might use around 3–4 miles per kWh.
• If you drive 8,000–10,000 miles per year, you might use around 2,500–3,000 kWh for charging.

If your current flat-rate tariff is around 28p per kWh and you move your EV charging to a nighttime EV tariff at 7p per kWh, the difference on 2,800 kWh of charging could be:

• Flat rate cost: 2,800 kWh × 28p = £784
• Nighttime EV rate: 2,800 kWh × 7p = £196

That's a potential saving of almost £600 per year purely by changing your tariff and when you charge, without altering your daily routine.

Real-world savings will depend on your actual unit rates, standing charge, and how much of your total household consumption you can shift into the cheaper off-peak window.

Key features of the cheapest nighttime EV tariffs

When you compare UK EV tariffs, don't just look at the headline overnight price. The cheapest tariff on paper isn't always the best overall. Pay attention to:

• Nighttime unit rate (p/kWh) – the price you pay per kWh during the designated off-peak charging window.
• Peak daytime rate – some EV tariffs charge more for electricity used outside the cheap period, which can affect your wider home energy bill.
• Standing charge – a higher daily standing charge might reduce your savings if your annual consumption is low.
• Off-peak window length and timing – is there enough time to fully charge your EV at the cheapest rate?
• Smart charger compatibility – some suppliers offer extra discounts or smart charging features if you use a compatible EV charge point.
• Exit fees and contract length – check how long you are locked in and if there are fees for switching early.
• Green energy mix – many EV tariffs use a higher proportion of renewable electricity, helping you cut carbon as well as costs.

Smart meters and smart chargers: why they matter

Nearly all cheap nighttime EV tariffs in the UK require a smart meter. This lets your supplier:

• Measure exactly how much electricity you use at different times of day.
• Apply cheaper unit rates during the night without a separate meter.
• Offer advanced EV-friendly features, such as automatic charging schedules.

While a smart meter is usually enough to access time-of-use tariffs, pairing it with a smart home EV charger can unlock even more benefits. Many smart chargers allow you to:

• Set charging to run only during your cheap off-peak window.
• Cap charging to a certain cost per kWh or per session.
• Automatically pause charging when prices are high (on dynamic tariffs).
• Monitor your EV's energy use separately from the rest of your home.

Comparing UK home energy providers for EV tariffs

Energy tariffs and rates change frequently, and the cheapest nighttime EV home charging tariff today may not be the same next month. Instead of chasing a single brand name, focus on these comparison tips:

1. Use your real driving data
   Estimate how many kWh you use for EV charging each month and how many hours your car is usually plugged in overnight. This helps you compare tariffs on your actual usage instead of averages.
2. Check whole-home impact
   EV tariffs can save you money on charging but increase the cost of daytime electricity. Look at your overall bill, not just your EV costs.
3. Look at unit rate + standing charge together
   A cheap off-peak rate with a very high standing charge may be less attractive if you don't drive many miles.
4. Check eligibility
   Some tariffs are only available if you have a compatible EV or a certain type of smart charger, or if you pay by direct debit.
5. Review contract terms
   Look at tariff length, exit fees, and any introductory discounts that may expire after the first year.

If you prefer, our team can review the latest UK tariffs on your behalf and make tailored suggestions based on your home, your EV, and your charging habits.

Real-world example: home EV charging costs on a nighttime tariff

Let's look at a typical home charging scenario for a UK EV driver on a cheap nighttime tariff.

Scenario:

• Battery size: 60 kWh
• Range: around 230 miles
• Nighttime EV tariff: 8p/kWh off-peak, 34p/kWh peak
• Off-peak window: 23:30–05:30 (6 hours)

If you arrive home at 18:00 and plug in, you can schedule your smart charger to start charging at 23:30. If you add 40 kWh overnight at 8p/kWh, that's just £3.20 for roughly 150–170 miles of range, equivalent to around 2p per mile.

On a flat-rate 28p/kWh tariff, the same 40 kWh top-up would cost £11.20 (£0.28 × 40). Over a year of routine charging, this difference quickly adds up.

Tips to maximise savings on nighttime EV tariffs

Once you've switched to a cheap nighttime tariff, a few simple habits can help you squeeze the maximum value out of it:

• Use your charger's scheduling features to ensure your car charges during the lowest-cost hours.
• Shift other energy-hungry appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines into the off-peak period where it's safe and practical to do so.
• Avoid unnecessary top-ups in peak times; plan your week so your main charges happen overnight.
• Review your tariff annually or whenever your driving pattern changes significantly.
• Monitor your usage using your supplier's app or your EV charger app to confirm you are benefiting from the cheaper rates.

Future trends: dynamic pricing and smart home integration

The UK home energy market is moving towards more flexible, data-driven tariffs. For EV owners this is good news, as it typically means even cheaper prices when renewable generation is high or grid demand is low.

We expect to see more:

• Dynamic EV tariffs with prices that shift every 30–60 minutes based on wholesale costs.
• EV-to-grid and vehicle-to-home (V2H) options, letting you sell stored energy from your car back to the grid or power your home.
• Smart home integrations where EV charging, heating, and battery storage are optimised together to use the cheapest and greenest energy available.

Choosing a modern smart charger and a flexible supplier now can help future-proof your home for these next-generation tariffs.