How to Save Money on EV Charging in 2026: 7 Proven Tactics
Switching to an off-peak EV tariff is the single most effective way to reduce EV charging costs in 2026, saving up to £404 per year at 8,000 miles compared with the Ofgem standard rate of 24.67p/kWh. The best available off-peak rates in 2026 sit between 6.99p and 9p/kWh, reducing the cost of a full 60kWh charge from £14.80 to as little as £4.19. Combined with The Charge Scheme, which lets you salary-sacrifice both home and public charging costs, the total savings over a 36-month lease term run into thousands of pounds.
Home vs Public vs Workplace Charging: The Real Cost Comparison
The table below shows the true cost of each charging scenario for a typical 60kWh battery EV achieving 3.5 miles/kWh, covering 8,000 miles per year. All figures use April 2026 rates. The Charge Scheme column shows the effective rate after salary sacrifice for a 40% taxpayer.
| Charging type | Typical p/kWh | Cost to charge 60kWh | p/mile | Annual cost @ 8,000mi | TECS integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home off-peak (best EV tariff) | 6.99p | £4 | 2.0p | ~£160 | Combine with The Charge Scheme for additional 20-50% tax saving |
| Home (The Charge Scheme, salary sacrifice) | 7p | £4 | 2.0p | ~£160 | Full salary sacrifice tax saving applied — effective rate drops to ~4-5.6p/kWh for 40% taxpayer |
| Home standard tariff (Ofgem Q2 2026) | 24.67p | £15 | 7.0p | ~£564 | Switching to off-peak tariff saves ~£404/year at 8,000 miles |
| Workplace (free to employee) | 0p | £0 | 0p | £0 | OZEV grant covers up to £350 per socket for employer installation |
| Public standard charger | 54p | £32 | 15.4p | ~£1,234 | The Charge Scheme reduces effective cost by 20-50% via salary sacrifice |
| Public rapid/ultra-rapid | 79p | £47 | 22.6p | ~£1,806 | The Charge Scheme reduces effective cost by 20-50% via salary sacrifice |
Assumptions: 60kWh battery, 3.5 miles/kWh efficiency, 8,000 miles/year UK average, Ofgem standard variable rate 24.67p/kWh (Q2 2026). Public charger averages from Zapmap April 2026 pricing index. Individual rates vary by network, location, and whether a subscription is held.
The case for home charging is clear: even without a specialist EV tariff, it costs roughly a third as much as public rapid charging per mile. The Charge Scheme amplifies this further by letting eligible employees pay their home and public charging costs from their gross salary before income tax and National Insurance are deducted. Use the salary sacrifice calculator to see your total charging and vehicle savings combined.
Home Charging Improvements
Home charging typically provides the most economical way to power your electric car. Here's how to maximise your savings:
Install a Smart Home Charger
While the upfront cost of a smart charger is higher than a standard unit, the long-term savings are substantial. Smart chargers allow you to:
Schedule charging during off-peak hours automatically
Monitor your energy usage with precision
Integrate with renewable energy sources
Access charger-specific tariffs from energy providers
Most home chargers range from 7-22kW in power output, with 7kW units being the most common for residential installations. For most drivers, a 7kW charger provides the perfect balance between charging speed and installation cost.
Saving: a 7kW smart charger enables off-peak scheduling, which reduces annual home charging costs from ~£564 (standard rate) to ~£160 at the best off-peak tariff - a saving of up to £404 per year at 8,000 miles.
Switch to an EV-Friendly Energy Tariff
Perhaps the single most impactful change you can make is switching to an EV-specific energy tariff. These typically offer significantly reduced rates during off-peak hours.
Current leading UK EV tariffs (April 2026), with costs for recharging a 60kWh battery.
| Supplier | Off-peak rate | Off-peak hours | Cost to charge 60kWh | Annual cost @ 8,000mi | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | 11pm to 6am (7 hours) | £4 | ~£160 | Lowest widely available rate as of April 2026; works with all EVs and chargers |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 8p/kWh | 11pm to 5am (6 hours) | £5 | ~£183 | Automated smart scheduling; requires compatible EV or charger |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | 8p/kWh | 12am to 6am (6 hours) | £5 | ~£183 | Universal compatibility - works with any EV and any charger |
| British Gas EV Power | 9p/kWh | 12am to 5am (5 hours) | £5 | ~£206 | Includes PeakSave half-price electricity on Sunday afternoons |
| EDF GoElectric (standard) | 9p/kWh | 11pm to 6am (7 hours) | £5 | ~£206 | Simpler entry option without Smart Charging bolt-on |
| ScottishPower EV Saver | 9.5p/kWh | 12am to 5am (5 hours) | £6 | ~£217 | Existing ScottishPower customers only |
| OVO Charge Anytime (PAYG) | 14p/kWh | Anytime via smart scheduling | £8 | ~£320 | No fixed overnight window; smart-scheduled via app. Monthly plans also available from £27.50 |
| Standard variable (Ofgem Q2 2026) | 24.67p/kWh | All hours | £15 | ~£564 | No EV tariff - benchmark for comparison |
By charging exclusively during off-peak hours, you could reduce your charging costs by 60-70% compared to standard electricity rates. It's worth noting that the total cost to fully charge an electric car at home varies significantly depending on your vehicle's battery capacity and your electricity tariff.
Saving: switching from the Ofgem standard variable rate of 24.67p/kWh to EDF GoElectric at 6.99p/kWh saves approximately £404 per year at 8,000 miles. For a 40% taxpayer using The Charge Scheme, the effective rate drops further to approximately 4-5.6p/kWh after salary sacrifice — saving up to £444 per year versus the standard rate.
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
Even without an EV-specific tariff, most energy providers offer cheaper electricity during off-peak hours (typically overnight). Programming your smart charger to operate during these windows can generate significant savings.
Saving: charging a 60kWh battery during off-peak hours at 7p/kWh costs £4.20 versus £14.80 at the standard rate - a saving of £10.60 per full charge. For a driver doing one full charge per week, that's approximately £551 per year saved.
Leverage Solar Panel Integration
If you have solar panels installed, synchronising your EV charging with solar production can dramatically reduce costs. Modern smart chargers can be configured to:
Prioritise solar-generated electricity
Increase charging speed when solar production is high
Reduce or pause charging when drawing from the grid
During the summer months, many solar panel owners report charging their electric car completely free for weeks at a time.
Saving: A typical 4kWp domestic solar installation can generate enough surplus electricity to cover 3,000-5,000 miles of EV driving per year, worth approximately £60-£100 in charging costs at 7p/kWh, and considerably more at standard tariff rates. See our guide to how much it costs to fully charge an electric car at home for a full breakdown of home charging scenarios.
Public Charging Network Strategies
When charging away from home is necessary, these approaches will help minimise your costs:
Comparing Network Subscription Options
Many major charging networks offer subscription models that can significantly reduce per-kWh costs:
| Network | PAYG p/kWh (rapid) | Subscription rate | Subscription cost | Locations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | ~56p (non-Tesla members) | ~41p (members) | £8.99/month | 800+ sites UK | Cheapest rapid network for non-Tesla drivers with membership; fastest for Tesla owners at ~23p/kWh |
| InstaVolt (off-peak) | 55p (off-peak via app) | No subscription | None | 2,100+ chargers | Off-peak rate via app only; peak PAYG rate is 92p/kWh |
| IONITY | 79p | 43-53p | £5.49-£10.50/month | 58 UK locations | Ultra-rapid up to 350kW; subscription essential for regular users |
| Gridserve | 79-89p | 25% off | £7.99/month | 190+ locations | Electric Forecourts offer best amenities; app gives discount at select sites |
| BP Pulse | 89p | 44p | £7.85/month | 9,000+ chargers | Largest branded rapid network; subscription halves the per-kWh cost |
| Shell Recharge | ~79p | 30% off app pricing | £9.99/month | 14,000+ chargepoints | Largest overall network including ubitricity on-street chargers |
| Pod Point (Tesco) | 44p | No subscription | None | 8,200+ chargers | Slower AC charger (7kW); best for charging during a shopping stop |
| Standard public charger average | 54p | N/A | N/A | UK-wide | Zapmap April 2026 weighted average for standard and standard plus chargers |
| Rapid/ultra-rapid average | 79p | N/A | N/A | UK-wide | Zapmap April 2026 weighted average for 50kW+ chargers |
Cost context: at the standard PAYG rapid rate of 79p/kWh, charging a 60kWh battery costs £47.40. With a BP Pulse subscription at 44p/kWh that drops to £26.40, a saving of £21 per charge. For drivers regularly using one network, subscriptions typically pay for themselves after two or three sessions per month. Via The Charge Scheme, the salary sacrifice saving applies on top of any subscription rate, reducing the effective cost further.
Identify Networks with Dynamic Pricing
Some networks offer reduced rates during off-peak hours, similar to home electricity tariffs. Apps like Zap Map can help you identify these opportunities for savings.
Cost context: InstaVolt's off-peak rate of 55p/kWh via its app compares with its peak PAYG rate of 92p/kWh - a saving of 37p/kWh, or approximately £22 per 60kWh charge. Tesla Superchargers vary by location and time of day, with off-peak rates as low as 41p/kWh for non-Tesla members with a subscription.
Find Free Charging Locations
Despite the trend towards paid charging, free charging points still exist across the UK, typically at some supermarkets (limited duration), certain shopping centres, selected car parks, some workplaces, and hotel destinations (typically for guests).
Cost context: a free 30-minute charge at a supermarket destination charger on a 7kW AC unit adds approximately 3.5kWh - around 12 miles of range. Free charging sessions don't add up to a primary charging strategy, but for regular shoppers, they can offset 500-1,000 miles of annual charging costs, worth approximately £40-£80 at home off-peak rates.
Plan Journeys Around Cost-Effective Charging
Route planning tools like Zap-Map, A Better Routeplanner, and PlugShare allow you to plot journeys based on charging costs, not just availability. This strategic approach can save 30-40% on long journey charging expenses.
Cost context: routing a 200-mile motorway journey via a Tesco Pod Point destination charger at 44p/kWh rather than a motorway service rapid charger at 79p/kWh saves approximately 35p/kWh. On a 30kWh top-up, that's a saving of £10.50 per stop - worth planning for on regular long-distance routes. Apps like Zap-Map and our guide to the most efficient electric cars can help identify which vehicles minimise charging frequency on those routes.
Smart Charging Habits
How you charge can be as important as where you charge:
Match Charging Speed to Your Needs
Rapid charging (50kW+) typically comes at a premium price. Unless you're in a hurry, opt for slower and cheaper charging options when available. For example:
Overnight at a 7kW charger: typically 20-35p per kWh
Destination charging at 22kW: typically 35-50p per kWh
Rapid charging at 50-150kW: typically 55-79p per kWh
Ultra-rapid charging at 150kW+: typically 65-85p per kWh
Efficient Driving Techniques
Extending your range through efficient driving directly translates to charging cost savings. Maintain steady speeds (55-60mph is typically most efficient) and use regenerative braking effectively.
Pre-condition your vehicle while plugged in, and minimise unnecessary weight in the vehicle to maximise your range when driving. Check your tyre pressure regularly.
Many EV drivers report improving efficiency by 10-15% through these techniques alone.
Optimal Battery Management
For battery longevity and efficiency:
Avoid regularly charging to 100% (80% is typically recommended for daily use)
Similarly, try not to run below 20% charge regularly
Use scheduled charging to finish just before departure time
Alternative Charging Solutions
Think beyond traditional charging approaches to save costs, and maximise financial savings.
Workplace Charging Options
Many employers now offer free or subsidised charging as part of employee benefits packages. This can be particularly valuable if combined with a salary sacrifice for EV charging arrangement, which provides tax benefits similar to the electric car salary sacrifice scheme.
Community Charging Through Apps
Platforms like Co-Charger connect EV owners with nearby private chargepoint owners, often at rates lower than public networks.
Government Incentives and Grants
While the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) for private homeowners has ended, other support is available:
The Workplace Charging Scheme offers up to £350 per charging socket
Zero-rated VAT on home charger installation (reduced from 20% to 0% in April 2024)
Local council grants in select areas
The Electric Car Scheme: Maximising Savings Through Salary Sacrifice
For drivers yet to choose their electric car, salary sacrifice through The Electric Car Scheme is the most substantial overall saving available. Through the scheme, drivers save 20-50% on the cost of leasing their electric car compared with a personal lease, with a 4% Benefit-in-Kind rate in 2026/27 versus up to 37% for petrol and diesel alternatives. The monthly package includes insurance, maintenance, tyres, and breakdown cover, and many schemes( including The Electric Car Scheme) include home charger installation as an option.
The Charge Scheme: Salary Sacrifice Your Charging Costs
The Charge Scheme goes further than the vehicle itself. It lets eligible employees salary sacrifice both home and public charging costs, paying for electricity from gross salary before income tax and National Insurance are deducted. The result is an effective charging rate 20-50% below the headline price - at any charger, on any network.
Here's what that means in practice for a 40% taxpayer covering 8,000 miles per year in a typical 60kWh EV, achieving 3.5 miles/kWh:
| Scenario | Annual kWh needed | Rate | Annual cost | Monthly cost | Tax saving via The Charge Scheme (40%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home standard tariff (no action) | 2,286 kWh | 24.67p/kWh | £564 | £47/month | N/A |
| Home off-peak EV tariff | 2,286 kWh | 6.99p/kWh | £160 | £13/month | N/A |
| Home via The Charge Scheme (salary sacrifice) | 2,286 kWh | 7p/kWh gross | £160 gross | £13 gross | ~£64/year saved via tax relief — effective rate ~4.2p/kWh |
| Public rapid charging (no action) | 2,286 kWh | 79p/kWh | £1,806 | £151/month | N/A |
| Public rapid via The Charge Scheme | 2,286 kWh | 79p/kWh gross | £1,806 gross | £151 gross | ~£722/year saved via tax relief — effective rate ~47p/kWh |
Assumptions: 60kWh battery, 3.5 miles/kWh, 8,000 miles/year, 40% taxpayer. The Charge Scheme saving assumes full income tax and NI relief on charging costs via salary sacrifice. Actual savings depend on individual tax position.
For a driver who charges primarily at home on an off-peak tariff and uses The Charge Scheme, the combined annual charging cost is approximately £96 after tax relief - among the lowest possible cost of running an EV in the UK. Drivers without home charging who rely on public rapid networks save approximately £722 per year through The Charge Scheme alone, before any vehicle salary sacrifice savings are applied.
The Charge Scheme uses a single card to access over 76,000 compatible charge points across the UK, covering all major networks including BP Pulse, Shell Recharge, IONITY, and Gridserve. There's no need to manage separate network memberships or accounts - every session is handled through a single card linked directly to your payroll.
Tools and Apps for Cost Management
Charging Cost Calculators
Tools like the one on ElectricCarScheme.com help you understand and compare charging costs between home, work, and public options.
Energy Usage Monitoring
Apps like Ohme, ev.energy and The Charge Scheme app track your charging costs and can automatically optimise charging times based on:
Current electricity prices
Carbon intensity of the grid
Your daily schedule and requirements
Public Charger Price Comparison
Dedicated EV apps now offer real-time price comparison between nearby charging stations, similar to petrol price comparison tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Save Money on Charging an Electric Car?
The single biggest lever is switching to an off-peak EV tariff. The best available rate in 2026 is EDF GoElectric at 6.99p/kWh overnight, saving approximately £404 per year at 8,000 miles versus the Ofgem standard rate of 24.67p/kWh. Combining this with The Charge Scheme salary sacrifice reduces the effective rate further to around 4-5.6p/kWh for a 40% taxpayer.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home?
At the best off-peak EV tariff rate of 6.99p/kWh (EDF GoElectric, April 2026), a full 60kWh charge costs approximately £4.19. At the Ofgem standard variable rate of 24.67p/kWh, the same charge costs £14.80. Via The Charge Scheme at 7p/kWh with salary sacrifice applied, a 40% taxpayer's effective cost falls to approximately £2.50 per full charge.
How Much Does Public EV Charging Cost in 2026?
Public charging costs vary significantly by network and charger type. Standard chargers average 54p/kWh across the UK (Zapmap April 2026). Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers average 79p/kWh. The most expensive PAYG option is InstaVolt at peak times at 92p/kWh; the cheapest rapid option for non-Tesla drivers is Tesla Supercharger membership at approximately 41p/kWh.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Charge an Electric Car in the UK?
Home off-peak charging is the cheapest option at 6.99p/kWh on EDF GoElectric, or effectively around 4-5.6p/kWh for a 40% taxpayer via The Charge Scheme salary sacrifice. If you have solar panels, surplus solar generation can reduce home charging costs to near zero during summer months, covering an estimated 3,000-5,000 miles of driving per year.
Can I Charge My EV Through Salary Sacrifice?
Yes. The Charge Scheme lets eligible employees salary sacrifice both home and public charging costs, paying for electricity from gross salary before income tax and National Insurance are deducted. For a 40% taxpayer using public rapid chargers at 79p/kWh, The Charge Scheme saves approximately £722 per year in tax relief on charging costs alone.
Is Workplace Charging Free?
For employees, workplace charging is typically free where an employer has installed charge points. Employers can access OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme grants covering up to £350 per socket to offset installation costs. Workplace charging structured via salary sacrifice through The Charge Scheme attracts no Benefit-in-Kind tax when correctly set up, meaning the full saving passes directly to the employee.
A Strategic Approach to EV Charging
The difference between an optimised and unoptimised approach to EV charging in 2026 is significant. A driver on the Ofgem standard rate doing 8,000 miles per year spends approximately £564 on home charging. The same driver on EDF GoElectric's off-peak tariff at 6.99p/kWh spends £160. Add The Charge Scheme salary sacrifice, and that falls further to approximately £96 after tax relief for a 40% taxpayer. That's a total annual saving of nearly £470 from two straightforward changes.
The compounding effect is what makes this worthwhile. A smarter home tariff reduces the cost per charge. Salary sacrifice reduces the after-tax cost of every kWh. Strategic use of free and low-cost public charging reduces reliance on expensive rapid networks. Each layer adds to the one before, and none requires significant effort to implement.
If you're already leasing an EV through salary sacrifice, adding The Charge Scheme takes minutes and extends the same tax efficiency to every charging session — at home, at work, or on the public network.
Add The Charge Scheme to your salary sacrifice package.
Calculate your salary sacrifice savings by visiting our calculator.
See how much it costs to fully charge your specific EV at home.
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Last updated: 15/05/2026
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms: 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme's terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions: England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
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