Smart Charging and Off-Peak Tariffs

A smart charger lets you schedule when charging starts and stops. Combined with an off-peak electricity tariff, this can cut your EV charging cost from around 28p/kWh to 7–15p/kWh — saving £200–£400 per year depending on how much you drive.

How smart scheduling works

Smart chargers connect to your home Wi-Fi. Through an app, you set a charge window — for example, 11:30pm to 5:30am — and a target state of charge. The charger draws power only during that window, automatically avoiding peak-rate hours. Some chargers connect to energy tariffs directly and adjust their schedule as prices move.

Popular off-peak EV tariffs in the UK

• Octopus Go — 7p/kWh from 11:30pm–5:30am; standard rate applies at other times
• OVO Charge Anytime — 9p/kWh at all times for EV charging only, via a smart charger
• Intelligent Octopus — integrates directly with compatible chargers and vehicles to charge when grid prices are lowest

Combining solar and smart charging

If you have solar panels, you can configure a smart charger to prioritise charging from solar surplus during the day — rather than exporting at the low SEG rate — and then top up overnight from the grid at an off-peak rate if needed. This maximises self-consumption and minimises both grid import cost and wasted export.

Does your charger need to be smart?

Since January 2023, all new home EV chargers sold in the UK must meet the EV Smart Charge Points Regulations — meaning they must have scheduling and demand response capability by law. Any charger we install already meets this requirement.