British Gas Electric Driver - UK tariff guide (2026)
British Gas Electric Driver is a EV time-of-use tariff from British Gas. It's designed for EV owners.
Rates (2026)
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Off-peak rate | 8.95p / kWh |
| Peak rate | 32-38p / kWh |
| Off-peak window | 00:00-05:00 |
| Standing charge | varies by region (typically 50-65p/day) |
| Estimated annual savings vs standard tariff | £250-600/year |
Who this tariff is for
Ev owners.
How to maximise savings
The British Gas Electric Driver pays off when you can shift load INTO the off-peak window. Practical ways to do this:
- Plug-and-play battery storage - charge during off-peak (e.g. 00:00), discharge during peak. See our plug-and-play batteries UK guide for the products that work with this.
- EV smart charging - schedule your EV to charge only during the off-peak window via your charger's app or via Octopus Intelligent Go's automated scheduling.
- Heat pump scheduling - pre-heat the house during off-peak hours, coast through peak. Particularly powerful with the Octopus Cosy tariff if you have a heat pump.
- Dishwasher / washing machine timers - built-in delay timers on modern appliances let you start them at off-peak hours.
How to switch to British Gas Electric Driver
- Visit British Gas's website and check eligibility (some tariffs require a smart meter or specific equipment)
- Most providers complete the switch within 5-10 working days
- No exit fees on most modern tariffs (verify before switching)
- SMETS2 smart meter required for half-hourly billing on most TOU tariffs
Common combinations
- British Gas Electric Driver + plug-and-play battery - charge battery off-peak, discharge during peak. Average £125-£300 additional annual saving vs the tariff alone.
- British Gas Electric Driver + EV smart charger - schedule overnight charging. EV owners save £400-£800/year on this combo vs Standard Variable Tariff.
- British Gas Electric Driver + heat pump + battery - full-stack low-carbon home setup. Average £700-£1,500/year savings vs gas heating + standard electricity.
Related guides
Sources
- British Gas published tariff page (most recent rates)
- Ofgem Time-of-Use Tariff Database
- Energy UK consumer trends report (2026)
