Cheapest way to charge an EV at home (UK, 2026)
The cheapest EV charging in the UK is overnight on a dedicated EV tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Go. Add solar and a battery and the marginal cost drops further. The calculator below prices every combination.
Frequently asked questions
How cheap is overnight EV charging?
Octopus Go is 8.5p/kWh; Intelligent Go is 7p/kWh. At 3.5 mi/kWh that's ~2p per mile — about 1/9th of a 40mpg petrol car at current pump prices.
Do I need a smart charger?
For Intelligent Go yes — the tariff schedules charging via the charger or car app. For standard Go any timer works.
Can solar charge my EV directly?
In summer easily — a 4kWp system generates 20–25kWh on a sunny day, enough for 70–85 EV miles. A smart charger like Ohme can divert solar surplus automatically.