UK Energy Price Cap Rises: What It Means for EV Charging Costs This Autumn

Energy bills are set to rise again this autumn, with Ofgem confirming that the UK energy price cap will increase from 1 October 2026.

The new price cap will rise from £1,663 to £1,723 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit – an increase of around £60 a year.

While the overall energy price cap is going up, electricity prices are remaining relatively stable compared with gas prices. 

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the October 2026 energy price cap and what it could mean for your EV charging costs.

What Is the New UK Energy Price Cap for October 2026?

Ofgem has confirmed that the energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 will be £1,723 per year for a typical household using both gas and electricity and paying by Direct Debit.

That's up from £1,663 under the July to September cap.

It's important to remember that the £1,723 figure isn't a maximum household energy bill.

The price cap limits the amount energy suppliers can charge customers on standard variable tariffs for each unit of gas and electricity, together with standing charges.

How much you actually pay depends on how much energy you use.

Why Is the Energy Price Cap Going Up?

The biggest driver behind the October price cap increase isn't electricity - it's gas.

Higher wholesale gas prices have pushed up the overall cap, with Ofgem reporting that gas bills are expected to rise much more significantly than electricity costs.

There's also another important change happening this October.

From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, VAT is being removed from domestic electricity bills.

This temporary measure is helping to offset some of the wider pressures on electricity prices.

For households that use more electricity than gas - including some EV-owning households, the impact of the overall price cap increase could therefore be smaller than the headline figure suggests.

Find out more in the UK GOV's Official announcement - Breathing space on your energy bill.

What Does the New Energy Price Cap Mean for EV Charging?

Imagine that your electric car has a 60kWh battery.

At the new average capped electricity unit rate of 26.32p per kWh, adding 60kWh of electricity would theoretically cost around £15.79 (60kWh × £0.2632 = £15.79).

Under the previous average rate of 26.11p per kWh, the same amount of electricity would cost around £15.67 (60kWh × £0.2611 = £15.67).

That's a difference of around 12p.

Real-world charging costs will vary, but this demonstrates that a rise in the overall energy price cap doesn't necessarily mean an equivalent rise in your EV charging costs. 

Could an EV Tariff Make Charging Even Cheaper?

If you regularly charge your electric car from home, it's worth checking whether an EV-specific electricity tariff could reduce your charging costs.

Some energy providers offer cheaper electricity during off-peak periods, typically overnight when demand on the grid is much lower.

Instead of plugging in as soon as you arrive home, you may be able to schedule your EV or smart charger to begin charging automatically, when your cheaper rate begins.

The exact tariffs, rates and charging windows available change regularly, so it's important to compare current deals based on your own household usage.

When comparing tariffs, don't just look at the advertised EV charging rate.

Consider:

• The off-peak electricity rate.

• How many hours the cheaper rate lasts.

• The standard daytime electricity rate.

• Standing charges.

• Whether a compatible smart charger is required.

• Whether your particular EV is supported.

A very cheap overnight charging rate may look attractive, but you'll want to consider the cost of your household's electricity across the entire day.

Find out more about EV charging tariffs in our blog: 5 of the Best EV Charging Tariffs in the UK (2026 Guide).

Charge Smarter This Autumn with EVwired

As energy prices change, getting the most from your EV isn't just about how much electricity costs. It's also about having the flexibility to charge where and when works for you.

At EVwired, we supply premium-quality Type 2 EV charging cables for a huge range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, suitable for compatible home wall-box chargers, workplace charging, and untethered public AC chargers.

Our charging cables are available in a choice of lengths from 5m up to 15m, helping you find the right option for your EV and charging setup.

With a 5-year retail warranty, free storage bag, Fitment Guarantee, free next working day tracked delivery, and UK-based customer support, EVwired makes finding the right charging cable simple.

Enjoyed reading this guide? Discover more on the EVwired Blog.