HALF A MILLION Brits ditch pump pain by charging their car for as little as 2p a mile
Half a million drivers are dodging soaring petrol prices by charging on ‘Intelligent Octopus Go’ – saving the average EV driver more than £850 a year compared with a similar petrol car
With petrol back at £1.60 a litre and forecourt fuel theft on the rise, more drivers are switching to cheaper overnight charging at home
New data from Cornwall Insights shows Octopus now powers six in ten EV tariff customers, making it Britain's most popular EV tariff
London, 5th August 2026 – More than 500,000 drivers are dodging Britain’s soaring prices at the pumps by charging their electric cars on Intelligent Octopus Go, saving the average driver more than £850 a year compared with running a similar petrol car.
With petrol prices climbing back to a staggering £1.60 a litre following renewed conflict in the Middle East – the highest they’ve been since 2022 – millions of motorists are feeling an even tighter squeeze on household finances.*
The pressure has become so intense that petrol theft has surged, with reports showing almost £200,000 worth of petrol and diesel now stolen from UK forecourts every day.**
But while petrol drivers are at the mercy of global oil markets, drivers on smart EV tariffs can avoid the pain at the pumps by charging at home when electricity is cheapest. For an average driver, that means driving for just 2p per mile.***
New independent research from Cornwall Insight shows Octopus now powers 59% of all EV tariff customers in Britain – more than half a million drivers – making it by far the UK's most popular EV energy tariff.****
The report also found the number of households on EV tariffs has surged by almost 60% in the past year, reaching almost one million nationwide as more motorists look for ways to cut the cost of driving.
Alex Schoch, Director of Electrification at Octopus Energy, comments: "Every time petrol prices shoot up, drivers are left paying the price. It’s a reminder of how little control motorists have over what it costs to fill up a petrol car.
"Electric cars offer a way out. Instead of being at the mercy of global oil markets, drivers can tap into cheaper, homegrown electricity and fill up for around 2p per mile, saving the average driver around £850 a year.
“EV drivers have been largely insulated from the latest fuel price rises, and that's a big reason why more people are making the switch."
Intelligent Octopus Go automatically charges compatible cars when electricity is cheapest – usually overnight. Drivers simply plug in, choose when they need the car to be ready, and the tariff does the rest, helping them save money without having to lift a finger.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
** BBC, “Almost £200,000 of fuel stolen from UK forecourts every day since Iran war began” (3 Aug 20206)
*** Based on a driver travelling 7,600 miles annually, charging on Intelligent Octopus Go at 8p/kWh.
**** Cornwall Insights - Domestic EV Tariffs: Market Share Survey (July 2026)
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Octopus Energy
Sam Salehi
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About Octopus Energy Group
Octopus Energy is a global clean energy and technology business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting-edge energy products to 11 million households globally.
The company is driving the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative clean tech, with operations spanning 27 countries and the entire energy value chain. It operates a £7 billion renewables portfolio as well as thriving EV leasing, heat pump, and solar businesses.
Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide.
For more information, check out our website.