The OVO Energy E.ON Next merger creates the UK's largest energy supplier, covering around 9.6 million households. This OVO E.ON merger customer review looks at the record before the brands combine - in terms that matter to anyone reading their April 2026 energy bill. Our separate analysis covers the regulatory side; this energy supplier comparison focuses on tariffs, complaints volumes and whether either side is the best energy supplier UK 2026 has to offer.
OVO Energy review: tariffs, app and customer service
What OVO did well
- Drive Anytime: flat 5p/kWh EV tariff with AI-scheduled charging
- Kaluza platform covering solar, storage and EV dispatch
- App and digital experience: best-in-class data layer
- Pioneer on smart tariff design
- Kaluza-powered solar and battery scheduling
Where OVO fell short
- Complaints: second-highest at 1,510 per 100k (Q2 2025)
- Contact wait times: Citizens Advice 2.0/5
- Which? 2025 satisfaction lowest at 56%
- SSE integration overstretched service capacity
- Recurring billing errors and smart meter misreads
OVO built Kaluza, the AI platform behind Drive Anytime: a flat 5p/kWh unit rate for home EV chargers with AI-scheduled charging. For EV drivers, solar owners and data-engaged customers, OVO was often the strongest option on the market. After absorbing SSE's retail book in 2020, however, the service side never scaled to match the customer base, and by Q4 2025 OVO sat 10th of 16 suppliers on Citizens Advice scores.
E.ON Next review 2026: complaints record and tariffs
What E.ON Next did well
- Service recovery: top-two among six largest suppliers by Q4 2025
- Next Drive: 7.5p/kWh midnight-6am, one of the cheapest overnight rates
- SEG tiered export options independent of installer
- Stability: fewer billing shocks and predictable service
- Already running on the Kaluza platform
Where E.ON Next fell short
- Tariff innovation trails OVO Drive Anytime
- App functional but uninspiring vs OVO's data layer
- Export Exclusive cut from 16.5p to 13p (Nov 2025)
- Brand identity lacks a clear consumer narrative
- Recovery genuine but starting from a low 2022 base
E.ON Next's trajectory runs opposite to OVO's: Ofgem singled it out in 2022 for severe service weaknesses, requiring a £4 million redress programme. By late 2025, Citizens Advice ranked E.ON Next among the top two of the six largest suppliers, alongside Octopus - a notable improvement in E.ON Next complaints performance.
E.ON Next fixed rate tariffs and the Next Drive EV deal are adequate but not innovative, with a 7.5p/kWh off-peak rate that trails OVO's flat Drive Anytime. The brand remains broadly invisible; the proposition is consistent reliability, which suffices for most households comparing options.
OVO vs E.ON Next: head-to-head comparison
| OVO | E.ON Next | |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service (Citizens Advice Q4 2025) | 10th / 16 | Top 2 (six largest) |
| Complaints volume (Ofgem Q2 2025) | 1,510 per 100k | Below market average |
| Customer satisfaction (Which? 2025) | 56% (lowest) | Above OVO; below Octopus |
| EV tariff | Drive Anytime 5p/kWh flat | Next Drive 7.5p/kWh off-peak |
| Smart tariff innovation | First to market, vehicle integration | Relies on Kaluza licence |
| App and digital experience | Carbon tracking, smart meter insights | Functional but basic |
| Solar export (SEG) | Kaluza-powered dispatch | 13p/kWh Export Exclusive |
| Billing reliability | Recurring billing errors | Improved post-2022 |
The summary: OVO was the more interesting supplier, whereas E.ON Next was the more reliable one. Both sat behind Octopus on the metrics that matter most.
What OVO Energy customers might miss after the merger
OVO customers who actively chose the brand did so for specific reasons unlikely to survive the integration intact. The CMA Phase 1 review will run for around 40 working days, with Phase 2 scrutiny possible at this scale.
Drive Anytime - OVO's flat 5p/kWh deal for home EV chargers is the strongest smart EV product in the UK, with no direct E.ON Next equivalent. EV drivers should monitor communications from both suppliers.
The OVO app's data layer: carbon tracking, disaggregated energy usage insights and Kaluza-powered smart tools reflect a product approach the E.ON Next app does not match.
Solar, storage and boiler cover: Kaluza stays in place, but the product layer on top may shift under E.ON's priorities. OVO boiler cover transfers to Hometree in summer 2026 under a separate deal.
Our verdict on the OVO Energy E.ON Next merger
SwitchInsights' take
OVO was an interesting company that struggled to be a good one; E.ON Next became reliably good without being interesting. The merger logic holds: Kaluza is already shared and combined scale gives room to compete with Octopus.
Customers on Drive Anytime or relying on the app's smart features should stay alert. Your current tariff is protected until it expires, and the Q3 cap announcement on 27 May is likely to shift competitive pricing.
Compare energy prices before 27 May: SwitchPilot lists the best fixed rate tariffs across the UK market.
Frequently asked questions
Is OVO Energy cheap?
OVO's standard variable tariff sits at or near the Ofgem price cap. Drive Anytime at 5p/kWh is one of the lowest EV rates in the UK. Fixed deals via a comparison site usually find lower headline rates.
How do I switch energy supplier from OVO Energy?
Switching is available at any time. On the standard variable tariff there is no exit fee; on a fixed deal, check the per-fuel exit fee in your account. The new supplier handles the transfer and OVO issues a final energy bill.
OVO vs E.ON Next: which is better?
E.ON Next leads on customer service, ranking top two among the six largest suppliers in Citizens Advice Q4 2025 alongside Octopus. OVO led on technology and smart tariffs for EV and solar owners but scored lowest in Which? 2025 satisfaction research.
How financially stable is OVO Energy?
OVO is being acquired by E.ON SE, a major European energy group. The deal was confirmed 11 May 2026 and gives OVO's retail base a larger parent. Until completion, OVO remains regulated by Ofgem.
What is OVO Energy's exit fee?
No exit fee on the standard variable tariff. Fixed-tariff exit fees vary but are typically £30 to £50 per fuel. Check your annual statement before switching.
Does OVO Energy support smart meters?
Yes. The OVO app is built around smart meter data, with usage insights, carbon tracking and disaggregated consumption figures. The Kaluza platform also powers smart scheduling for EV drivers and solar customers.
Is E.ON Next better than OVO for EV charging?
For most EV drivers, OVO's Drive Anytime delivers a lower effective unit rate at 5p/kWh flat with AI-scheduled charging, whereas E.ON Next's Drive tariff is 7.5p/kWh off-peak and the standard peak rate outside midnight-to-6am. Drive Anytime is also the only major EV tariff that fully splits energy usage from home EV chargers.