Home Heat Pump Guide

E.ON Heat Pump Tariff: Next Drive Rates and Full Review

E.ON Next (formerly E.ON UK) is one of the Big Six energy suppliers and has been developing its smart tariff range to serve the growing number of electric heating and electric vehicle households. Their Next Drive tariff offers cheap overnight electricity that heat pump owners can take advantage of — but is it competitive with Octopus and EDF?

In this review, we examine E.ON's tariff options for heat pump owners, compare the rates, and give our honest verdict on whether E.ON is the right choice for your heat pump household.

E.ON's Tariff Options for Heat Pump Owners

E.ON Next Drive

Next Drive is E.ON's primary time-of-use tariff, designed for households with high overnight electricity needs. Key features:

  • Off-peak rate: Approximately 9-11p per kWh (midnight to 7am)
  • Daytime rate: Approximately 26-30p per kWh (7am to midnight)
  • Standing charge: Standard daily standing charge (approximately 50-55p per day)
  • Requirements: Smart meter, eligible postcode

The overnight rate is competitive — at 9-11p/kWh, it is among the cheapest overnight rates available from any major supplier. The seven-hour off-peak window (midnight to 7am) gives you ample time to heat your home and hot water cylinder before the day begins.

E.ON Next Flex

E.ON's standard variable tariff, Next Flex, tracks the Ofgem price cap:

  • Unit rate: Approximately 24.5p per kWh
  • Standing charge: Approximately 53p per day
  • No time-of-use element: Same rate all day

E.ON Fixed Tariffs

E.ON periodically offers fixed-price deals with locked rates for 12-24 months. Availability and pricing vary, but they do not typically include time-of-use features.

How Much Can You Save with E.ON Next Drive?

For a heat pump using 4,000 kWh per year, assuming you can shift 55% to overnight off-peak hours:

On E.ON Next Flex (24.5p/kWh flat):

  • Annual heat pump cost: £980

On E.ON Next Drive (55% overnight at 10p, 45% daytime at 28p):

  • Off-peak: 2,200 kWh × 10p = £220
  • Daytime: 1,800 kWh × 28p = £504
  • Annual heat pump cost: £724
  • Annual saving: £256

A saving of £256 is worthwhile, though it is less than Octopus Cosy achieves (around £380 with similar scheduling). The difference comes from Next Drive having only one overnight off-peak window compared to Cosy's three daily windows.

With Higher Off-Peak Shifting

If you can shift 70% of heat pump usage to overnight (possible in well-insulated homes with large hot water cylinders):

  • Off-peak: 2,800 kWh × 10p = £280
  • Daytime: 1,200 kWh × 28p = £336
  • Annual heat pump cost: £616
  • Annual saving vs standard: £364

At 70% off-peak shifting, Next Drive becomes much more competitive and approaches Octopus Cosy territory. The key question is whether your home can genuinely manage this level of overnight pre-heating.

E.ON Next Drive vs Octopus Cosy

The head-to-head comparison that matters most:

Off-Peak Hours and Windows

  • E.ON Next Drive: 7 hours (midnight-7am), single window
  • Octopus Cosy: 9 hours across three windows (4-7am, 1-4pm, 10pm-midnight)

Cosy's multiple windows are more practical for most households. The afternoon window in particular allows mid-day top-ups that reduce the need for the house to hold heat all day.

Off-Peak Rate

  • E.ON Next Drive: 9-11p per kWh
  • Octopus Cosy: ~10p per kWh

Very similar. E.ON's lowest rate (9p) can undercut Cosy slightly in some regions.

Daytime/Standard Rate

  • E.ON Next Drive: 26-30p per kWh (all non-off-peak hours)
  • Octopus Cosy: 22-24p standard, 30-35p peak (4-7pm only)

Cosy's standard rate is lower than Next Drive's daytime rate for most of the day. Cosy only becomes more expensive during its three-hour peak window.

Overall Winner

For most heat pump owners, Octopus Cosy delivers better savings due to its lower standard rate and additional off-peak windows. E.ON Next Drive is competitive if you can shift a very high proportion of usage overnight, but it is less forgiving if you need daytime top-ups.

Eligibility and Regional Availability

E.ON Next Drive has some limitations on availability:

  • Smart meter required: SMETS2 meter essential for half-hourly billing
  • Postcode eligibility: Next Drive is not available at all postcodes. E.ON has been gradually expanding coverage, but some areas are excluded
  • No heat pump registration: Unlike Octopus Cosy, you do not need to prove you have a heat pump. The tariff is open to any eligible household

Check availability by entering your postcode on the E.ON Next website. If Next Drive is not available in your area, their standard Flex tariff is your only option — and you would be better off switching to a supplier that does offer heat pump-friendly rates.

Pros and Cons of E.ON for Heat Pump Owners

Pros

  • Very competitive overnight rate: 9-11p/kWh is among the cheapest overnight rates available
  • Simple two-rate structure: Easy to understand — cheap overnight, standard daytime
  • No heat pump registration: Simpler sign-up process than Octopus Cosy
  • Big supplier reliability: E.ON is a large, established company with comprehensive customer support
  • EV compatibility: Excellent for households with both heat pump and electric vehicle

Cons

  • Single off-peak window: Only overnight cheap rates — no afternoon or evening off-peak windows
  • Higher daytime rate: 26-30p/kWh all day is steep if you need daytime heat pump operation
  • Limited availability: Not available at all UK postcodes
  • Less innovative: Fewer tariff options compared to Octopus's range (Cosy, Agile, Intelligent Go, Tracker)
  • Customer service: E.ON's customer satisfaction scores are historically average among the Big Six

Who Should Choose E.ON Next Drive?

E.ON Next Drive suits heat pump owners who:

  • Have excellent home insulation and can rely primarily on overnight pre-heating
  • Have a large hot water cylinder (200+ litres) to store overnight heat
  • Also own an electric vehicle and want a single cheap overnight window for both
  • Prefer a simple two-rate tariff without multiple time windows to manage
  • Are in an area where Next Drive is available but Octopus Cosy is not suitable

If your home loses heat quickly during the day, or you need the heat pump to run at multiple points throughout the day, Octopus Cosy with its three off-peak windows will serve you better.

How to Switch to E.ON Next Drive

  1. Visit the E.ON Next website and enter your postcode to check Next Drive availability
  2. If available, sign up online or by phone
  3. E.ON handles the switch from your current supplier (typically 2-3 weeks)
  4. If you need a smart meter, E.ON arranges a free installation
  5. Once your smart meter is communicating half-hourly data, the two-rate pricing applies

Check for exit fees on your current tariff before switching. Standard variable tariffs (with any supplier) have no exit fees. Fixed-price deals may incur charges for early termination.

Our Verdict

E.ON Next Drive is a solid option for heat pump owners who can heavily exploit overnight cheap electricity. Its 9-11p overnight rate is genuinely competitive, and the simplicity of a two-rate tariff appeals to many. However, the single overnight window and higher daytime rate make it less flexible than Octopus Cosy for most households.

If you are already an E.ON customer and Next Drive is available at your postcode, switching to it from the standard Flex tariff is a straightforward way to save £250+ per year. If you are comparing from scratch, Octopus Cosy remains the stronger all-round choice for heat pump owners.

See our best heat pump tariff guide for the complete comparison across all UK suppliers, or check our detailed tariff comparison table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does E.ON have a specific heat pump tariff?

E.ON does not have a tariff exclusively for heat pump owners. Their Next Drive tariff provides cheap overnight electricity that benefits heat pump households (as well as EV owners). You do not need a heat pump to sign up — a smart meter and eligible postcode are the main requirements.

What are E.ON Next Drive's overnight hours?

The standard off-peak window runs from midnight to 7am (seven hours). This is similar to EDF GoElectric and provides ample time for overnight heat pump operation and hot water heating.

Is E.ON Next Drive available everywhere in the UK?

No, Next Drive is not available at all postcodes. E.ON has been expanding coverage, but some areas remain excluded. Check availability on the E.ON Next website. If it is not available in your area, consider Octopus Cosy or EDF GoElectric as alternatives.

Can I switch between E.ON tariffs without penalty?

If you are on E.ON's variable tariff (Next Flex), you can switch to Next Drive without penalty. If you are on a fixed-price deal, check for exit fees before switching. Moving to Next Drive from Flex is usually processed within a few days.

How does E.ON's standing charge compare?

E.ON's standing charge on Next Drive is typically at or near the Ofgem price cap level (approximately 53p per day), comparable to other major suppliers. Standing charges are largely regulated and should not be a significant differentiator between suppliers.

Is E.ON Next the same as E.ON?

E.ON rebranded its UK retail business to E.ON Next in 2022. If you were previously an E.ON customer, your account has been transferred to E.ON Next. The parent company is the same — it is essentially a rebranding with updated tariff products and a refreshed digital platform.