When it comes to home EV charging, the question is, are you a day or night person?
With more Australians embracing electric vehicles, energy retailers now offer a range of EV electricity plans. Most of these plans include super off-peak rates—designed to help EV owners charge up at home for significantly less, or in some cases, even for free. The added bonus is these rates apply not only to EV charging but to anything on the main household circuit during the designated off-peak windows (ps. Controlled loads like off-peak hot water remain on standard rates!).
WATTever’s modelling shows that EV-specific plans offer substantial value when you take full advantage of those low-cost charging windows. But the key to unlocking these savings is choosing a plan that fits your schedule and driving habits. With at least half a dozen energy retailers now in the EV space, the choice for EV households is—quite literally—day and night.
Comparing EV Electricity Plans: What to Consider
Before you sign up for a plan, it’s worth asking yourself a couple of important questions:
- Do I want a day or night charging plan?
- Is the charging window big enough to meet my needs?
Let’s break down what each option offers and which might suit your lifestyle best.
What’s Right for You: Day or Night Charging?
The biggest question for most households is whether a daytime or overnight EV charging plan is the better fit.
Overnight Plans
These are the most common EV offers and are designed for drivers who garage their vehicle at night. Super off-peak periods typically fall between midnight and early morning, when grid demand is low and wholesale energy prices drop. If your EV is parked at home during these times, you can enjoy reliable, cheap charging.
Daytime Plans
Daytime plans are less common but growing in popularity. They’re ideal for EV owners with flexible schedules or those who work from home and can keep the car plugged in during the day. Retailers are increasingly encouraging this behaviour, as it aligns with the abundant supply of cheap solar energy flooding the grid during midday hours—when wholesale electricity prices can drop near zero. Generally, Daytime Saver EV plans offer lower overall rates than Night Saver plans.
Bottom line: The best EV plan is the one that works with your lifestyle. If your EV isn’t home during those “magic hours,” the savings potential of daytime EV plans is limited.
EV Electricity Plan Super Off-Peak hours (April 2025)
| Plan | Daytime Super Off-Peak | Nighttime Super Off-Peak | Super Off-Peak Hours/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGL Night Saver EV | Midnight to 6am | 42 | |
| Amber for EV | Not fixed. App dependent | Not fixed. App dependent | N/A |
| ENGIE EV Flex Charge | Midnight to 6am | 42 | |
| GloBird Free Lunch | Midday to 2pm | 14 | |
| Origin EV Power Up | Not fixed. App dependent | Not fixed. App dependent | N/A |
| OVO Energy The EV Plan | 11am to 2pm | Midnight to 6am | 63 |
| OVO Energy The Free 3 Plan | 11am to 2pm | 21 | |
| Pacific Blue Supercharge | 10am to 3pm | 35 | |
| Powershop EV Day Saver | Midday to 2pm | 14 | |
| Powershop EV Night Saver | Midnight to 4am | 28 | |
| Red Energy Red EV Saver | Sat & Sun Midday to 2pm | 4 |
Not all EV plans are available to all location or to all tariffs – and plan super off-peak periods may be subject to change. A smart meter is usually required. To coompare the latest plans see our Electric Vehicle Plan page.
Charging Windows: Are They Long Enough?
The length of your off-peak charging window and home charging setup are critical. Here’s why:- A typical 7kW wall charger delivers around 21kWh over three hours—enough to drive about 100-150km in a standard EV.
- But, if you’re using a portable trickle charger (which maxes out around 2kW), you’ll want to account for this. That’s because you’ll need to plug in more often and for more time in the super off-peak charging periods.
- Some plans offer only 4 hours of off-peak charging per week. This won’t get you very far, especially for high daily commuters.
Solar Charging: A Daytime Winner
If your home has rooftop solar and your EV is regularly parked during the day, you’re sitting on one of the best value charging setups. Charging your EV directly from your solar generation can be virtually free. Some EV plans offer high Feed-in tariffs – for example, ENGIE’s EV Flex (as of April 2025).Hybrid Plans: The Best of Both Worlds
Some retailers cover both windows. For instance, OVO Energy’s EV Plan offers daytime and overnight super off-peak windows, allowing owners to charge when it suits them best—day or night. This can be especially valuable for households with variable schedules or multiple EVs.App-Based Flexible Charging Plans
Then there are smart app-based charging plans, which don’t rely on fixed off-peak hours. Instead, these use software to dynamically find the cheapest charging windows based on real-time electricity prices and grid conditions. There are currently a couple of options; 1. Amber for EV- Compatible with select EV models.
- No fixed super-off periods—charging is synced with solar, batteries, and wholesale market dips.
- Amber customers rates are linked to the wholesale spot price, which vary throughout the day.
- You set a charging window through the App, and Amber tries to charge at the lowest-cost times.
- Also compatible only with selected vehicles.
- Owners set a “charge-ready” time in the App.
- Origin’s system determines when to charge to minimize cost—typically during sunny daytime hours or at night when grid demand drops.
- Owners can override the schedule and initiate an Instant Charge, but they’ll pay the standard rate.
Final Thoughts
EV charging at home isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. The right plan depends on:- Your daily schedule
- Your vehicle usage
- Your charging hardware and onboard EV charger
- Whether you have solar
- And how much flexibility you have in when your EV gets charged
