British Gas and npower launch electric vehicle energy tariffs

Two of the UK’s big six utilities, British Gas and npower, have announced plans to launch energy tariffs specifically targeted at electric vehicle owners.

Centrica-owned British Gas says that drivers could pay as little as 1.25p per mile to charge their electric vehicles, saving £1200 a year compared with the cost of petrol needed to cover 10,000 miles.

Under the tariff, customers would be able to recharge their electric vehicles overnight using cheaper, off-peak electricity.

The deal, which will be widely available from early 2012 but is being launched for 150 early adopters this summer, will also offer electric car owners a smart meter to help them manage their electricity usage.

Earlier in the year, British Gas announced it would be offering to supply and install charging points for Nissan’s newly launched all-electric Leaf, as well solar panels, which the company claims can offset the annual charging costs.

Meanwhile, RWE subsidiary npower also says it has an electric vehicle tariff in the pipeline, which should be available to customers this summer.

“As an energy company, we have a major responsibility to assist the UK Government to meet its climate change targets and sustainability goals. The time has now come to help decarbonise the transport sector,” said project manager Rob Harper at the Grand Designs Live event in London last week.

“We are considering all options for the tariff, but our main aim is to match the usage for charging the vehicle from renewable sources and to make it as affordable as possible,” he added.

According a survey carried out for npower, 33% of the British public would consider buying an electric vehicle over the next five years.

For further information:
www.britishgas.co.uk/
www.npower.com/ev

10 May 2011

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