UK drivers can travel up to 200 miles for just £4.57 by charging an electric car overnight on a smart meter tariff, according to Smart Energy GB. The same journey in an average family car would cost £36.57 in fuel, a difference of more than £30.
How the savings work
Topping up an electric car for 200 miles of range costs as little as £14.92 on a standard electricity tariff. But road users who charge using a smart meter on a dedicated EV tariff during off-peak overnight hours can cut that to £4.57 on average.
Charging overnight is cheaper because overall electricity demand drops sharply, allowing energy companies to offer super-low prices and offset them with higher daytime costs.
Mini holidays and charging access
A poll of 500 EV owners by Smart Energy GB found that 47% say owning an electric car has made them more likely to take a mini holiday, with 40% citing lower fuel costs as the main reason.
However, cheaper domestic tariffs are often only available to motorists with off-street parking. EVA England found that 25% of urban EV owners lack access to home charging, compared with 5% of rural owners.
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, said: “With household budgets under pressure, shorter breaks closer to home offer the chance to relax, recharge and create lasting memories without travelling far and often at a lower cost.”
“For EV owners, those savings can go even further. By using a smart meter to access an EV tariff that fits your needs best, you can save a significant amount on travel costs by charging during cheaper, off-peak periods.”
The RAC previously said that fully charging an electric car at home can cost between £4 and £20, depending on the tariff and the size of the car's battery.
