Best option for EV tariff

Archerychick

I can’t see how another tariff is going to be better for you, but ultimately depends on what amount of electricity you’re using outside of the cheaper charging hours. We have a hybrid which we charge maybe 3 times a week on average, which is around 10 kWh a go. We’re on octopus go. Outside of that our average usage is 2 kWh per day. So this tariff is definitely right for us because of the low usage otherwise, even at the 28 ish pence. 

Solar_Battery_user

Have you consider a solar panels with storage battery in order to make most of your electricity cost 7p per 1kW?

Solar panels with 10kWh battery would be my choice if you really would like to reduce your electricity bills. If you can not install solar panels, you can get the storage battery only. Charge the battery at 7p overnight and after that your electricity usage would be at 7p until the battery runs out. Without a solar panels to replenish the battery( when there is a sun or a daylight) you will need to know your average daily usage and get a suitable size storage battery. 

We got 5kW solar(12 panels) and 10kWh Solar Edge storage battery. Before the solar panels and the EV we were paying £120 to £150pcm for electricity, which is around £1,500-£1,800 per year. In September 2023 the EV arrived and the bills went more than £200 to £220pcm. I am on Octopus Intelligent Go and the EV charges at 7p per 1kW.

After the solar installation of 9 panels and 10kWh Solar Edge battery for around £11K in Jan 24 our electricity bills went down to £693 for the whole 2024 for 9,190kW Import from the grid . Most of the electricity is for the EV at 7p.

Octopus pays 15p per 1kW export.

Without the solar our bill would have been £2,500, after the solar is £700. This is £1,800 saving for the first year. If it continues like that in 6-7 years the solar system would be paid for.

The battery makes a big difference. Get the highest capacity battery you can afford.

From July 2025 we added 3 more solar panels. Total 12 with 5.36kW power. We are able to export more energy now and in a sunny days we almost do not use anything from the grid between 05:30am and 11:30pm. During the 6 hours 11:30pm and 05:30pm our rates are 7p and we charge the battery the EV's and try to run the DW after 23:30.

I have a gas combi for heating and hot water. Got a quote for a heat pump, but not sure will go with it.

My calculations include the export with Octopus. 

For example the latest electricity bill I have is for the period 10th August till 9th September 2025 I have used 880kWh electricity and 866 is on 7p. Total charges with £13.22 standing charge is £78.60 and my export for the period was 589kWh at 15p, which is £88.28.

I have a negative bill for the period of -£9.68, which will go as a credit on the account. Without the solar and battery, I would have most of the 880kWh on 27.97p and that would have been much more expensive.

I would highly recommend the company which installed our system. They were very good and they are based in Surrey and cover South and South West England, if you are interested or have questions, please reply. 

debitcardmayhem

Solar_Battery_user said:

Have you consider a solar……..
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Lot of costs for a simple tariff question I think.

QrizB

debitcardmayhem said:

Solar_Battery_user said:

Have you consider a solar……..
snipped

Lot of costs for a simple tariff question I think.

That particular user has been posting variants of that reply to any thread that looks likely. Not sure quite what they're trying to achieve with it!