ScottishPower’s EV Saver tariff is for electric car owners who charge at home and want to benefit from cheaper overnight rates. With off-peak electricity priced at 7.2p per kWh between midnight and 5 am, this is one of the cheapest EV tariffs in the UK right now, and it allows drivers to significantly reduce charging costs compared to standard energy rates.
Beyond offering lower overnight rates, ScottishPower provides 100% green electricity, smart meter tracking, and additional tools to help customers manage their EV charging more efficiently.
This review takes an in-depth look at the EV Saver tariff, covering its pricing, eligibility, benefits, and potential drawbacks!
- Fixed off-peak rate of 8.5p/kWh between 12am–6am for 12 months
- No exit fees
- E.ON Next Drive Smart is currently E.ON Next’s cheapest EV tariff
- Smart features and eligibility rules apply, so it suits drivers who can reliably charge overnight
- E.ON Next Drive Smart currently advertises an off-peak rate of 8.5p/kWh. E.ON Next Drive advertises 9.5p/kWh between 12am and 6am. Prices and eligibility can vary by tariff structure and customer setup.
* Next Drive Fixed v7 offers fixed priced overnight EV charging 6.7p/kWh between 12am and 7am versus Next Flex standard variable tariff at 27.03p/kWh (national average and will vary by region).
** Next Drive electricity backed by 100% renewable sources, E.ON’s renewable generation assets, agreements with UK generators and the purchase of renewable electricity certificates. The electricity supplied to your home comes from the National Grid. Smart meter required. Exit fees and T&Cs apply.
ScottishPower EV Saver – Key Features
✔ Off-peak charging rate of 7.2p per kWh (midnight – 5 am)
✔ 100% renewable electricity from ScottishPower’s own generation assets
✔ Fixed-rate energy pricing to protect against wholesale price increases
✔ Smart meter tracking via the ScottishPower App
✔ Available to all ScottishPower customers with an EV and home charger
✔ Standard daytime rates apply outside off-peak hours
The five-hour off-peak window allows for a full charge on many EVs while offering substantial savings compared to standard electricity tariffs.
ScottishPower EV Saver Pricing
Off-Peak Charging Costs vs. Standard Tariffs
The EV Saver tariff offers a 7.2p/kWh off-peak rate, which is a lot cheaper than the standard electricity rate of 28-30p/kWh. Here’s how that translates into real-world savings:
- Charging a 60kWh EV battery:
- EV Saver (7.2p/kWh): £4.32 for a full charge
- Standard tariff (28p/kWh): £16.80 for a full charge
- Potential saving per charge: £12.48
For a typical driver covering 10,000 miles per year, home charging on EV Saver could cost as little as £216 annually—compared to nearly £840 on a standard tariff.
Fixed Pricing for Stability
Unlike some EV tariffs with variable rates (which fluctuate with wholesale energy prices), EV Saver offers fixed pricing. This means customers are protected from potential price hikes, making it easier to budget for energy costs.
MORE> Fixed VS Variable EV Tariffs Explained
ScottishPower EV Saver Smart Features
Smart Meter Tracking
ScottishPower requires customers to have a single-rate smart meter that sends half-hourly readings. This enables accurate billing and provides access to detailed energy usage graphs in the ScottishPower App, helping users monitor their consumption and optimise charging times.
EV Optimise – A Flexible Alternative
For drivers who need more flexibility than a set off-peak period, ScottishPower offers EV Optimise, which allows smart charging at any time of day for 10p/kWh. The EV Optimise tool automatically schedules charging during the cheapest and greenest grid periods, rather than restricting customers to fixed overnight hours.
Key Differences Between EV Saver & EV Optimise:
| Feature | EV Saver | EV Optimise |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak Rate | 7.2p/kWh (midnight – 5 am) | 10p/kWh anytime smart charging |
| Charging Flexibility | Fixed hours | Dynamic scheduling via ScottishPower App |
| Smart Meter Required? | Yes | Yes |
| Can Use Any Charger? | Yes | Yes |
| Whole Home Off-Peak Use? | Yes | No, only EV charging |
While EV Optimise offers greater flexibility, EV Saver remains the cheaper option for drivers who can charge overnight.
ScottishPower EV Saver Eligibility
To sign up for EV Saver, customers must meet the following requirements:
✔ Be a ScottishPower energy customer
✔ Own an EV and charge at home
✔ Have a single-rate smart meter that sends half-hourly readings
✔ Pay by Direct Debit
If you aren’t currently a ScottishPower customer, you must first switch to their Standard Variable tariff before moving to EV Saver via your online account.
Getting a Smart Meter
ScottishPower offers free smart meter installations for customers who don’t already have one. Since the EV Saver tariff relies on half-hourly data, having a compatible smart meter is mandatory.
EV Charger Installation
If you don’t yet have a home EV charger, ScottishPower offers installation services, making it easy for new EV owners to get set up.
ScottishPower EV Saver Flexibility
Charging Schedule & Time Bands
The EV Saver tariff applies off-peak rates from midnight to 5 am. However, customers with certain SMETS1 meters will see slightly adjusted time bands based on GMT/BST changes:
- Winter (GMT): 12:00 am – 5:00 am
- Summer (BST): 1:00 am – 6:00 am
Customers who sign up for EV Saver consent to their smart meter being configured to Economy 5, ensuring their charging is correctly billed at the lower rate.
Additional Benefits
Cost Savings vs. Petrol Cars
ScottishPower has calculated that switching to EV Saver could save customers £474 per year compared to fueling a petrol car. This is based on charging a Vauxhall Astra GS EV at home versus filling up a petrol Vauxhall Astra GS 1.2.
Environmental Benefits
The EV Saver tariff provides 100% renewable electricity, sourced from ScottishPower’s own wind and solar generation assets. By matching every megawatt-hour of electricity used with a Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificate, ScottishPower ensures customers are charging their EVs with truly green energy.
Smart Charging with EV Optimise
For those looking to charge outside of the standard off-peak window, EV Optimise offers smart charging at 10p/kWh, allowing customers to automate their charging schedules based on the cheapest and greenest times.
The Final Word on the ScottishPower EV Saver Tariff
ScottishPower EV Saver Pros
✔ Very low off-peak rate (7.2p/kWh) for five hours per night
✔ Fixed pricing provides stability against wholesale price hikes
✔ 100% renewable electricity included
✔ Smart meter integration for accurate billing and energy tracking
✔ Smart charging option (EV Optimise) available for more flexible schedules
ScottishPower EV Saver Cons
❌ Only available to ScottishPower customers – requires switching
❌ Requires a smart meter that sends half-hourly readings
❌ Bump charging outside of off-peak hours is significantly more expensive
❌ Fixed off-peak window may not suit those who need flexibility
This tariff is ideal for EV owners who can regularly charge between midnight and 5 am and want a fixed low-cost energy rate. If you drive frequently and rely on home charging, this is one of the most affordable and environmentally friendly options available.
However, if you need greater flexibility in when you charge, the EV Optimise option may be a better fit, even at a slightly higher 10p/kWh rate.
MORE> Compare the best EV tariffs
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
