A rule change that many probably don't know about will affect people across the UK. It means that an electric vehicle charging firm has launched a scheme that could net EV drivers up to £100 annually simply for charging their cars at home, following regulatory changes in late 2025.
Pod has unveiled Pod Rewards, a new initiative offering customers cash incentives for smart charging their vehicles at home. By connecting their car, setting a charging target and allowing Pod to handle the rest, motorists can pocket up to £100 per year in cash rewards while still enjoying all the perks of home EV charging, according to the firm. Pod Rewards aims to make electric vehicle ownership more economical during a period when household energy bills continue to squeeze budgets.
The programme is open to any Pod customer on either a single-rate or dual-rate domestic electricity tariff and participants will still benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity rates while waking up to a fully charged vehicle. Rewards accumulate irrespective of which energy supplier customers use, and can be withdrawn once the balance hits £10.
Managing Pod Rewards is straightforward through the Pod Home app, which current customers will be prompted to download before logging into their account and enrolling in the scheme. The launch is an expansion of Pod's independent smart charging trials, which have reportedly already rewarded customers with more than £330,000 through a mix of cash and vouchers.
Pod is now broadening its smart charging capabilities to its existing clientele and extending the rewards scheme beyond early trial participants and subscribers of its comprehensive Pod Drive charging service. Available to thousands more EV drivers across the UK, Pod anticipates it could distribute well over £1m in rewards by year-end.
Smart charging hinges on the ability to 'flex' charging during extended periods when an EV is plugged in. Pod explained that this allows them to shift charging times to periods of lower grid demand - typically overnight - and higher renewable energy supply, thereby generating 'flex' revenue from the Grid that can be returned to customers as cash rewards.
A rule change in late 2025 simplified the eligibility criteria for households to engage in smart charging. This means that EV chargers can now 'flex' via the charger's meter, rather than the household's smart meter, enabling all of Pod's existing customers to reap the benefits of flexible charging.
Pod is actively urging its current customers to sign up for Pod Rewards, while also inviting new Pod Drive subscribers to benefit from smart charging incentives. In the months ahead, Pod plans to extend the opportunity for future buyers to purchase a charger outright and start earning rewards immediately.
Melanie Lane, CEO at Pod, said: "Pod Rewards redefines the charging experience for our home customers and rewards them for choosing to charge with Pod, without compromising on ease and simplicity. As we continue to pioneer in the home EV charging space, we're making everyday electric mobility more affordable than ever before, for thousands of drivers across the UK."
Pod stated that the initiative aligns with the Department for Transport's new Get That Electric Feeling campaign, designed to highlight the advantages available to motorists transitioning to electric vehicles.
The UK Government's Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, said: "We're making it easier than ever to make the switch from petrol and diesel through schemes like our Electric Car Grant, which has helped over 55,000 drivers save up to £3,750 off brand-new EVs. Making it easier to charge EVs at home helps more drivers top up for as little as 2p per mile, so it's great to see businesses giving drivers extra incentives to install home chargers and save money when they do."