Electric car owners could pay as little as 1.25p per mile to power their car under a new tariff announced today by British Gas - saving themselves £1,200 a year compared to the cost of petrol.
The tariff will enable customers with electric cars to use cheaper off-peak electricity during the night hours to charge their vehicle. Based on current prices, it costs the owner of a typical petrol fuelled car over £65 to fill a 50 litre tank, whereas electric car owners would pay just £6 to charge their car and cover the same mileage. With an average of 10,000 miles per year, this could cut £1,200 from an owner’s annual fuel costs.
The deal will also offer electric car owners priority installation of a smart meter in eligible homes. The smart meter will put an end to estimated bills and show customers how much energy they are using in real time. Smart meters are the key to making the most of electric cars as well as other technologies like solar panels and smart appliances.
The Electric Car Drivers Panel
The tariff will be available to all electric car owners from early in 2012, but British Gas is launching the tariff this summer for up to 150 owners of electric cars to help it gain an in-depth understanding of the energy needs of electric car households and help shape future products and services. In return, customers will benefit from early access to the new tariff and will receive an additional discount to their energy bills dependent on level of participation in the trial.
To join the panel and the tariff, electric cars owners can apply by emailing their name, full address and contact number to [email protected]
