Do EV tariffs have extra standing charges?
Usually, an EV tariff does not add a second standing charge: you pay the electricity tariff’s standing charge, which may differ from your current one. Check the tariff’s full price list for any separate subscription or membership fee, then compare the standing charge and unit rates with your existing bill.
The important distinction is between the tariff and the meter supplying it. An EV tariff does not normally create a second charge simply because you have an electric car. However, the supplier may set a different standing charge for that tariff, or a second meter may create another standing charge.
Most homes charge an EV through the property’s existing electricity meter. The tariff then applies its time-based unit rates to electricity imported during each period. The standing charge remains a daily charge for that electricity connection, rather than a charge for the car or the charger.
Some suppliers offer an EV tariff with a lower overnight unit rate but a different daily standing charge. That difference is part of the tariff’s overall pricing. It is not necessarily an additional EV fee. Compare the standing charge alongside every unit rate before deciding that a cheaper overnight rate will reduce the household’s total bill.
A second standing charge can arise if the EV uses a separate electricity meter. This setup is less common in a typical domestic installation, but it can be relevant where a supplier requires a dedicated meter or where the property already has more than one electricity supply. Each meter normally has its own standing charge.
- One meter and one electricity tariff: the property usually pays one electricity standing charge.
- One meter with an EV time-of-use tariff: the standing charge is set by that tariff, while the unit rate changes according to the time of day.
- A separate EV meter: the second supply may bring a second standing charge, as well as its own unit rates.
- A smart charger: the charger itself does not normally add a standing charge. Any charge comes from the electricity tariff or meter arrangement.
A smart meter is often needed for an EV tariff that charges different rates at different times. It records when electricity is imported, allowing the supplier to apply the relevant rate. The smart meter does not automatically mean you pay an extra standing charge. Check the supplier’s terms to see whether the tariff requires a particular meter configuration.
If you have solar panels or a battery, the standing charge still relates to the electricity supply rather than the amount imported for charging. Solar generation may reduce how much electricity the car takes from the grid, while a battery may change when you import electricity. Neither normally removes the standing charge. Export payments are also separate from the charge for keeping the electricity connection.
To compare tariffs properly, add the annual standing charge to the estimated cost of your household’s electricity. Then account for how much EV charging can take place during the cheaper periods. A tariff with a higher standing charge may work for a home that regularly charges overnight, but may not suit a household that charges infrequently or mainly during the daytime.
Use the supplier’s full tariff information rather than comparing the headline EV rate alone. Check:
- the daily electricity standing charge;
- the unit rate during the charging period;
- the rates outside that period for the rest of the home;
- whether the tariff needs a smart meter or a specific charger;
- whether the supplier applies different terms to solar or battery storage; and
- what happens if you leave the tariff or cannot use the required charging period.
Your charger installation does not decide which tariff you must use. The charger needs a suitable circuit, protective equipment and an electrical supply capable of handling the intended load. Once it is installed, the supplier sets the tariff and its standing charge. We can check the supply and charger arrangement so the electrical installation matches the way you intend to charge, but the supplier’s tariff documents determine what appears on the bill.
For a property with an older consumer unit, solar panels or battery storage, the tariff comparison should follow an electrical assessment. The cheapest charging rate is only useful if the home can safely use the planned charging pattern and the system’s controls work together.
An EV tariff usually changes the price of electricity for the whole home, not just the energy used by the car. That means the standing charge and household electricity rates need judging together, especially if most of the property’s demand falls outside the cheaper charging period.
Before switching, ask the supplier to confirm whether the tariff stays on the existing electricity supply. That answer tells you whether you are comparing a different price for one connection or considering a setup with another meter and another daily charge.