UK electric vehicle drivers are collectively missing out on potential savings of £168.2m on their annual energy bills by not charging on smart tariffs, research from EV charging tech firm Easee reveals.

The study highlights that of the 1.615 million EVs currently on UK roads, around 28% of drivers continue to charge their vehicles during peak times – between 8am and 11am, or 4pm and 10pm – rather than shifting to off-peak hours supported by smart tariffs.

Easee’s analysis indicates that drivers switching to smart tariffs could each save between £265 and £372 per year, depending on their weekly charging needs.

For an average weekly EV charging requirement of 28kWh, drivers could save around £265 annually, while those charging 40kWh per week could save £372. Collectively, this amounts to £168.2m in lost savings across the UK.

Easee also looked at leading e-mobility markets on the Continent and found significant savings could be made by customers there too. In Germany, 30% of the country’s 3.35 million-plus EV drivers typically charge during peak periods, with potential annual savings of up to €180 (£157) for 30kWh charging – and €180.9m (£157.9m) collectively.

In European markets seeking to grow their EV adoption further, drivers can unlock “particularly remarkable” savings for themselves by transitioning to a smart energy rate. In Luxembourg, where 89% of EV drivers tend to charge up in peak times, yearly savings have the potential to reach €400 (£349) for 48kWh charging.

Sam Levy, UK sales director at Easee, commented: “Switching to a smart tariff is one of the simplest and most effective ways for EV drivers to save money and reduce their environmental impact. By charging at off-peak times, drivers can cut their annual energy bills by hundreds of pounds while helping to balance demand on the grid. At Easee, our chargers are built to make this process effortless, and with smart tariffs such as Fuse now widely available, there has never been a better time to make the switch to sustainable EV ownership.”

He continued: “Smart charging is more than a cost saving, it’s a win-win-win. Consumers win by cutting bills. The grid wins through better-distributed load, helping to avoid or defer expensive infrastructure upgrades. Society and the climate win because more charging is aligned with periods of higher renewable energy generation, reducing reliance on fossil power and easing pressure on the grid, costs which are ultimately borne by taxpayers.”