Ecotricity EV Tariffs: A Complete 2026 Guide

If you drive an electric car and you're with Ecotricity — or thinking about switching to them — getting your head around their EV tariff could make a real difference to your running costs. Ecotricity has built its reputation as one of the UK's greenest energy suppliers, and its EV tariff is designed to let you charge your car overnight using 100% renewable electricity at a fraction of the standard rate.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Ecotricity EV tariff in 2026: how it works, what it costs, who it's for, and how it stacks up against the competition.

1. What is the Ecotricity EV tariff?

The Ecotricity EV tariff (currently sold as EcoFixed – 1 Year Fixed EV Tariff) is a fixed-term, dual-rate electricity tariff aimed specifically at households that own an electric vehicle. The idea is simple: you pay a much lower unit rate for electricity used overnight, in exchange for committing to a 12-month fixed contract and meeting a handful of eligibility requirements.

With the one-year Fixed EV tariff, you can charge your vehicle overnight at just 8 pence per kWh, with all the electricity coming from 100% green sources. That's a striking contrast to a typical standard variable rate, which currently sits well above 20p per kWh under the Ofgem price cap.

How the off-peak window works

The lower off-peak rates apply between midnight and 5am every day of the week, with the off-peak period for the EV tariff officially defined as running from 00:00 to 05:00 GMT.

The "GMT" wording matters. Because the window is fixed to GMT rather than local clock time, it effectively shifts during British Summer Time — so in winter your cheap window runs from midnight to 5am on the clock, while in summer (when the UK is on BST, one hour ahead of GMT) the same GMT window falls between 1am and 6am local time. Either way, you get a consistent five-hour overnight slot to charge your car and run other appliances cheaply.

2. How much does it cost?

The headline figure is the off-peak rate of 8p per kWh for electricity used during the overnight window. Outside of that window, you're billed at Ecotricity's standard fixed day rate, which applies to all your normal household electricity use.

For context on where this sits in the market, one independent EV tariff comparison notes that at 8p per kWh, Ecotricity's EV tariff is among the cheapest off-peak rates available and is marketed as the greenest electricity tariff on the market. The same review points out that this compares very favourably with some regional alternatives, where overnight EV rates can run several pence per kWh higher.

Standing charges and contract terms

As with all Ecotricity tariffs, the standing charge and unit rates are fixed for the full duration of the 12-month contract, and standing charges apply whether or not you use any energy.

If you need to leave the tariff early, it's worth knowing the exit fee position. Ending the contract more than 49 days before its end date, or switching to another supplier, triggers a £100 exit fee per fuel. However, there's a useful exception: no exit fee applies if you stay with Ecotricity but move to a tariff that requires a different metering setup — for example, coming off the EV tariff onto a standard or Economy 7 tariff, or vice versa.

3. Eligibility: what you need to qualify

The Ecotricity EV tariff isn't open to everyone — there's a short checklist of requirements you'll need to meet. Based on Ecotricity's own published terms, to be eligible you'll generally need to:

• Have a smart meter installed at the property (Ecotricity will arrange installation if you don't already have one)
• Consent to Ecotricity collecting half-hourly data from your smart meter
• Own, or intend to own, an electric vehicle that you plan to charge at the property
• Manage your account online via the app or web portal, with paperless billing
• Pay by direct debit (fixed or variable)

Ecotricity also reserves the right to check you're genuinely an EV owner. They may request reasonable proof of EV ownership, or evidence of a charger installed at the property, if required.

If any of these conditions stop being met — for instance, if your smart meter loses connectivity and can't be fixed, or you stop sharing half-hourly data — you'll be moved onto Ecotricity's Out of Contract tariff, which is protected by the Ofgem price cap but may carry exit fees for the change.

4. The EcoLoyalty retention tariff

If you're already on the Ecotricity EV tariff and your fixed term is coming to an end, you may be offered EcoLoyalty, a retention-only version of the EV tariff. This is available specifically to existing 1-year Fixed EV tariff customers whose current deal is ending within the next 49 days, or has ended within the past 7 days.

The eligibility rules mirror the standard EcoFixed EV tariff — smart meter, half-hourly data sharing, online-only account management, direct debit, and genuine EV ownership — but it's worth noting one extra perk: existing customers on this tariff remain eligible for the Refer a Friend scheme and may receive a credit if they successfully refer a new customer.

If you're approaching the end of your fixed term, it's worth checking with Ecotricity directly (or via your online account) whether EcoLoyalty or a newer EcoFixed version is the better option, as rates and terms are reviewed and reissued periodically — Ecotricity has published updated versions of the EV tariff principal terms multiple times over the past year.

5. How does it compare to other suppliers?

The EV tariff market has become considerably more competitive over the past couple of years, and Ecotricity's 8p/kWh off-peak rate is broadly in line with the cheaper end of the market rather than a standout outlier. For comparison, one review highlights that E.ON Next's Drive Smart tariff currently advertises an off-peak rate of around 8.5p per kWh, while their standard Drive tariff sits closer to 9.5p between midnight and 6am.

What sets Ecotricity apart isn't necessarily the lowest possible rate — it's the combination of a competitive overnight rate with a 100% renewable electricity supply and the company's long-standing environmental track record. Ecotricity has been supplying electricity from 100% renewable sources since launching in 1995 and has been recognised as a Which? Eco Provider for several years running.

If your priority is squeezing out the absolute cheapest possible overnight rate — particularly if you have a smart charger that can respond to dynamic, app-controlled pricing — it's worth comparing Ecotricity's fixed 8p/kWh against newer "smart" EV tariffs from other suppliers, some of which occasionally dip below this on promotional pricing. If your priority is a straightforward fixed rate from a supplier with strong green credentials and no need for complex smart-charging compatibility checks, Ecotricity remains a solid option.

6. Solar export: the Smart Export Tariff

If you've got solar panels alongside your EV, it's worth knowing that Ecotricity also runs a separate export tariff. Their Smart Export Tariff lets customers sell surplus electricity from solar panels or wind generation back to the grid at 16 pence per kWh, with no exit fees or end date. This runs independently of the EV import tariff, so households generating their own power can potentially benefit from both — cheap overnight charging on the EV tariff, and a decent rate for any excess solar export during the day.

7. How to make the most of the tariff

To get the best value from the Ecotricity EV tariff, a few practical habits make a real difference:

Charge within the window. The 8p rate only applies between 00:00 and 05:00 GMT. Charging outside this window — even by half an hour — means paying the standard day rate for that portion of your charge, so a smart charger with a scheduling function is well worth using.

Shift other big appliances overnight too. Because the off-peak rate applies to your whole household's electricity use during that window, not just your car, running the dishwasher, washing machine, or tumble dryer overnight can add up to meaningful extra savings.

Keep your smart meter healthy. Since eligibility depends on Ecotricity being able to collect half-hourly data, it's worth checking occasionally that your smart meter is communicating properly — losing connectivity could see you moved off the tariff.

Watch your renewal date. With fixed-term tariffs, prices and terms get reviewed and reissued regularly. As your 12-month term approaches its end, check what EcoFixed or EcoLoyalty options are currently available rather than letting the contract roll onto the Out of Contract tariff.

8. Frequently asked questions

Is the Ecotricity EV tariff available to new customers?
Ecotricity periodically updates and reissues its EV tariff (recent versions include EcoFixed EV tariffs dated January and May 2026), so availability can vary. It's best to check directly via Ecotricity's website or customer portal for the current version on offer.

Do I need a specific make of EV or smart charger?
Unlike some "smart" tariffs from other suppliers, Ecotricity's EV tariff doesn't appear to require a specific approved charger or vehicle model to communicate directly with the supplier — the discount is applied based on the time of use via your smart meter, not via charger-to-supplier integration. You will, however, need to demonstrate that you own or intend to own an EV.

What happens if I don't have a smart meter?
Ecotricity will arrange for one to be installed as part of signing up to the EV tariff — though if installation is delayed or refused for reasons outside Ecotricity's control, you risk being moved to the Out of Contract tariff.

Can I leave the tariff if a better deal comes along?
Yes, but be aware of the £100 per fuel exit fee if you leave more than 49 days before your contract ends. If you're switching to another Ecotricity tariff that uses a different metering arrangement, this fee may not apply.

Does the off-peak window change with the clocks?
Effectively, yes — because the window is defined in GMT, the equivalent local time shifts by an hour once British Summer Time begins, moving from roughly midnight–5am to 1am–6am.

Energy tariffs, rates and eligibility criteria change frequently. Always check Ecotricity's current principal terms and your own account for the most up-to-date figures before signing up or relying on any specific rate.