The standing charge is a daily fee for having the supply, billed even if you use no energy. Charging a car increases kWh, not the standing charge, unless you switch to a tariff that has a different daily fee. Some EV tariffs pair a low night rate with a higher standing charge or a higher day rate. The car does not 'cause' that. The tariff you picked does. Compare the whole bill, not the headline pence per kWh.
Standing charges and EV home charging
If you already pay a standing charge, home charging does not add a second one. A second meter would. Most homes do not need a second meter for a charger.
- Charging adds kWh, not automatically a higher standing charge
- Tariff switches can change the daily fee
- Model the whole year
- A second meter is unusual and would add a charge
Standing charges and EV home charging: questions for the first visit
Model a year: standing charge times 365, plus peak kWh, plus off-peak kWh. Include the household, not just the car.
How standing charges and EV home charging moves the job
Chasing a tiny unit rate and ignoring a swollen standing charge is how low-mileage EV drivers overpay. High-mileage night chargers can still win on the same tariff.
What goes wrong with standing charges and EV home charging
The mistake is blaming the wallbox for a standing-charge rise that started when you changed supplier.
Point at standing charges and EV home charging in the pack
Keep the old tariff sheet and the new one. Recheck at renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get an EV-only meter?
Rarely for a normal house. A smart meter and a smart charger record enough for most tariffs.
Do solar homes avoid the standing charge?
No. Export and self-consumption change units, not the fact of being connected.
Will a heat pump and an EV double it?
They share one supply and one standing charge unless you have a second MPAN.
Are zero standing charge tariffs better?
Only if the unit rates do not wipe the saving at your usage. Do the arithmetic.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local EV Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.