Best UK Time-of-Use Tariffs (2026): Compare Off-Peak Rates

Independent information resource · Built on EPA, BLS and federal datasets · Updated for 2026

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Best UK Time-of-Use Tariffs (2026)

Reviewed by Samantha Holloway, Editor in Chief · Last reviewed 26 July 2026

Last updated: 26 July 2026

Best UK time-of-use tariffs (2026)

UK electricity prices vary by 4-7x between off-peak and peak hours on time-of-use (TOU) tariffs. Households that can shift load (EV charging, battery storage, heat pumps, dishwasher / washing machine timers) save £200-£800 per year vs standard variable tariffs.

This page compares every meaningful UK TOU tariff currently available, with off-peak rates, peak rates, and the off-peak window length.

All UK time-of-use tariffs (2026)

Tariff	Provider	Off-peak	Peak	Off-peak window	Annual saving
Octopus Go	Octopus Energy	6-8p	30-40p	00:30-04:30	£300-700/year
Octopus Intelligent Go	Octopus Energy	7-8p	30-40p	23:30-05:30 (extended via smar	£400-800/year
Octopus Cosy	Octopus Energy	12-15p	35-50p	04:00-07:00 + 13:00-16:00 + 22	£200-500/year
Octopus Flux	Octopus Energy	15-19p	35-45p	02:00-05:00	£500-1000/year
British Gas Electric Driver	British Gas	8.95p	32-38p	00:00-05:00	£250-600/year
EDF GoElectric	EDF	4.5-9p	30-37p	00:00-05:00	£300-700/year
OVO Charge Anytime	OVO Energy	7p	32-38p	smart-scheduled by app	£350-700/year

Which tariff is right for you?

EV owner: Octopus Go or Intelligent Go (cheapest off-peak rate, smart-charging integration)
Plug-and-play battery owner: Octopus Go (max price differential = max battery cycling profit)
Heat pump owner: Octopus Cosy (3 off-peak windows tuned to heat pump efficiency curves)
Solar + battery owner: Octopus Flux (highest export rate during evening peak)
British Gas customer who doesn't want to switch: BG Electric Driver
EDF customer who doesn't want to switch: EDF GoElectric

Switching considerations

All TOU tariffs require a SMETS2 smart meter
Switch typically completes in 5-10 working days
No exit fees on most modern tariffs
Verify rates on the provider's site - they update frequently

Related guides

Sources

Ofgem Time-of-Use Tariff Database
Octopus Energy / British Gas / EDF / OVO public tariff pages
Energy UK consumer trends report (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest off-peak electricity tariff in the UK in 2026?

Octopus Intelligent Go and EDF GoElectric currently offer the lowest off-peak rates at 4.5-8p/kWh. Octopus Go is also competitive at 6-8p with a simpler 4-hour window.

Do I need a smart meter for a time-of-use tariff?

Yes — SMETS2 smart meter required. Most UK households now have SMETS2; if you don't, your supplier will install one free.

Which tariff works best with a plug-and-play battery?

Octopus Go (6-8p off-peak vs 30-40p peak — maximum price spread). The 4-hour off-peak window is enough to fully charge a 2.5-2.6 kWh battery once per day.

What next?

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