Low Standing Charge Tariff Trials Launch at EDF, E.ON and Octopus

EDF and E.ON had launched their low standing charge tariff trials by 7 July, and Octopus followed on 8 July, according to MoneySavingExpert. The trials cut the daily standing charge by about £150 a year for a dual-fuel home, but raise unit rates, so they only suit some households.

What has launched

Ofgem describes the scheme as a one-year pilot with capped sign-ups, first offered by EDF, E.ON, Octopus and British Gas. It was originally due in April and its own page now says it starts from June 2026. MoneySavingExpert reports that British Gas had not yet launched its version by 8 July.

• EDF: tied to its FreePhase time-of-use tariffs. Standing charges fall by £6.25 a month per fuel, there are no exit fees, and you need a smart meter and Direct Debit. New and existing customers can join.
• E.ON: a 24-month fixed deal with £100 per fuel exit fees, open to 25,000 randomly selected existing customers. Electricity unit rates rise by about 3.5p.
• Octopus: a one-year fixed deal with £50 per fuel exit fees, limited to 33,000 households on a first-come basis, for homes using at least 666 kWh of electricity or 2,836 kWh of gas a year.

Who could gain, and who could lose

Because suppliers recover the same costs, a lower standing charge means higher unit rates. MoneySavingExpert says the E.ON and Octopus deals are likely to save money only for homes using under about 1,800 kWh of electricity and 7,500 kWh of gas a year. Higher-use homes, including those with heat pumps or EV charging, could pay more.

The sensible test is your annual kWh multiplied by the new unit rates, not the size of the standing charge cut.

What it means if you have a battery

A home battery works on the unit-rate part of your bill by shifting when you buy power. It does not change the standing charge, and a higher unit rate can make a battery's shifting more valuable or less, depending on the tariff shape. We have not modelled these trial tariffs, so we cannot give a figure.

If you are on or considering a time-of-use tariff, read how a battery can save money and how to earn on a dynamic tariff. Rules, VAT and support are in our UK country guide.

Sources

• MoneySavingExpert: Low or no standing charge trials
• Ofgem: Lower standing charge tariffs, next steps
• Octopus Energy: Low standing charge tariff trial

Related guides

Keep reading, or check your own numbers:

• How does a home battery actually save money?
• How to earn money with a home battery on a dynamic tariff
• United Kingdom country guide
• Home battery calculator