Published: December 8, 2025 | By Swikblog Desk
For years, one of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle in Britain has been the ability to charge overnight at a lower rate. But that benefit is now tightening. Octopus Energy has confirmed major changes to its Intelligent Go tariff, reducing the discounted charging window to just six hours per night. The move has sparked concern among EV owners who rely on longer charging sessions.
The popular tariff, used by more than a quarter of a million drivers, allowed flexible overnight charging at reduced prices. From January, the new six-hour limit will apply to all customers, meaning any charging that extends beyond this window will automatically switch to a higher daytime rate.
What exactly is changing?
Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Go tariff uses smart scheduling to charge vehicles during off-peak hours. Previously, drivers benefitted from extended low-cost windows designed to ease pressure on the grid. Now, the company will cap discounted charging at six hours, regardless of a vehicle’s size or charging needs.
According to the company, most EV owners typically complete their nightly charging in under six hours. But for those with larger batteries, slower chargers, or high daily mileage, this change could mean noticeably higher monthly costs.
Octopus says the change is intended to keep the tariff sustainable, preventing misuse where households consumed large amounts of non-EV electricity during the discounted period.
How much more could drivers pay?
The financial impact will vary depending on the car model, charging speed and driving routine. A long-range EV using a 7kW home charger may require 10–12 hours for a full charge from a low battery. With only six hours now discounted, the remaining time will fall back to standard rates — which can be several times higher.
Drivers who frequently run their battery low or travel long distances each day are likely to feel this change the most. Those who use public rapid chargers already face higher costs compared with home charging, meaning the overall savings of EV ownership could narrow further.
EV road tax coming in 2028
On top of these energy tariff changes, electric vehicle owners will face a new distance-based road tax from 2028. This system will charge drivers per mile travelled. While still lower than fuel duty applied to petrol and diesel cars, the new tax adds another expense to the long-term cost of owning an EV.
Industry experts have raised concerns that these combined pressures — rising tariffs, shrinking charging windows, and the upcoming mileage tax — could slow the UK’s transition to electric vehicles.
Is an EV still cheaper to run?
Electric vehicles can still offer lower running costs, especially for households with home chargers and consistent access to overnight tariffs. Maintenance costs remain cheaper than combustion engines, and electricity prices during off-peak hours are still significantly lower than petrol on a per-mile basis.
However, for drivers without driveways or those relying heavily on public charging, EV running costs are becoming less predictable — and in some cases, more expensive than expected.
What should Octopus customers do now?
- Review your typical charging routine and battery usage.
- Ensure you’re using a 7kW wallbox for faster home charging.
- Compare alternate tariffs from other energy providers.
- Adjust energy-intensive household tasks to avoid overlapping with peak rates.
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