When Should You Charge Your Electric Car to Save the Most Money?
The timing of when you charge your electric vehicle can significantly impact your running costs. With the UK's growing EV infrastructure and increasingly complex energy pricing structures, choosing the right moment to plug in is becoming an essential skill for electric car owners.
This comprehensive guide explores the optimal charging times across different scenarios to help you maximise savings and efficiency, covering home charging and public networks.
Key Insights:
Charging your EV during off-peak hours (typically between 12 am and 5 am) can lead to saving as much as £10-12 per full charge,
Several UK energy providers offer specific EV tariffs that allow for cheaper overnight charging. These tariffs, such as those from OVO, EON, and EDF, offer rates much lower than standard electricity prices.
Advanced technologies, such as smart charging and dynamic pricing, allow users to automate charging times and take advantage of real-time price fluctuations.
Public charging networks and Tesla Superchargers offer different pricing structures based on location, time of day, and even demand.
Home Charging
Home charging remains the most convenient and typically cost-effective option for most EV owners. However, the timing of your charging sessions can dramatically affect what you pay.
Understanding Off-Peak Hours
Most UK electricity providers offer cheaper rates during off-peak hours, typically overnight between midnight and 5 am when national demand is lowest. This pricing structure presents an excellent opportunity for EV owners to save substantially on charging costs.
Dedicated EV Tariffs: A Game-Changer for Home Charging
Several UK energy providers now offer specialised EV tariffs designed explicitly for electric vehicle owners. These tariffs typically provide significantly reduced rates during specific hours, making them ideal for overnight charging.
Popular options include:
OVO’s Charge Anytime Tariff will charge 7p for EV charging at any time during the day - using a smart charger. Your car must be compatible with the charger.
EON.Next offers lower-priced electricity at 6.7p per kWh when you charge an EV between 12am and 7am
Scottish Power offers rates of 7.2p per kWh between midnight and 5am for EV charging.
EDF's GoElectric tariff: Provides cheap overnight rates from 12am-5am
British Gas Electric Drivers Energy Plan: Features reduced rates from 12am-5am
Costs for recharging a 60kWh battery fully
| Peak | Off-Peak | Peak Charging Cost | Off-Peak Charging Cost | Cost Savings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas EV Tariff | 27.47p per kWh | 7.9p per kWh | £16.48 | £4.74 | £11.74 |
| EDF Energy EV Tariff | 27.21p per kWh | 9p per kWh | £16.32 | £5.40 | £10.92 |
| EON.Next EV Tariff | 24.85p per kWh | 6.7p per kWh | £14.91 | £4.02 | £10.89 |
| OVO EV Tariff | 7p per kWh* | 7p per kWh* | £4.20 | £4.20 | £0 |
| Scottish Power EV Tariff | 24.19p per kWh | 7.2p per kWh | £14.51 | £4.32 | £10.19 |
*OVO Charge Anytime Tariff will charge 7p for EV charging at any time during the day - using a smart charger.
To put this in perspective, charging a Tesla Model 3 (60kWh battery) on a standard tariff at 30p per kWh would cost around £15 for a full charge. The same charge using an EV-specific tariff during off-peak hours could cost just £4.50 – a 2/3rd reduction.
It's worth noting that the total cost to fully charge an electric car at home varies significantly depending on your vehicle's battery capacity and your electricity tariff.
Regional Differences in Tariff Options
The availability and pricing of EV-specific tariffs vary considerably across the UK. Our research indicates:
London and Southeast: Typically have the most competitive EV tariff options, with some providers offering rates below 6p per kWh during super off-peak hours.
Scotland: Several regional providers offer renewable-focused tariffs with lower night rates to coincide with wind energy production peaks.
Wales and Southwest: Tend to have slightly higher off-peak rates but often with wider time windows.
The best way to understand which tariff and provider would be most optimal for your location - use a comparison site, and check for switch bonuses. Alternatively, if you lease your EV via electric car salary sacrifice, check with your salary sacrifice provider for any offers or bundles that may be applied to add further savings.
Smart Home Charging
Advanced charging technologies are transforming how EV owners approach their charging routines.
Automated Smart Charging
Many modern EVs and home chargers offer programming capabilities that allow you to set specific charging times. This feature enables you to automatically begin charging when off-peak rates begin, schedule your charging to finish just before you leave the house, and even integrate with additional home energy systems - such as solar panels, or battery storage.
Dynamic Pricing and Agile Tariffs
Some electricity providers now offer dynamic pricing that changes based on real-time grid demand:
Octopus Agile: Prices change every half-hour based on wholesale electricity costs
Smart charging apps: Can automatically respond to price signals to charge when rates drop below certain thresholds. This is something that is set up to respond to your existing energy tariff - and can be done independently by your provider.
For those with flexible charging needs, these dynamic options can reduce costs beyond prices set by standard off-peak tariffs. As more companies explore “agile tariffs” it is worth noting the maximum rate that you may end up paying to run your property - as this could offset your total energy price savings.
Public Charging Networks
The UK's public charging infrastructure continues to expand rapidly, with each network offering different pricing structures and timing considerations.
Network-Specific Timing Strategies
Major charging networks have different approaches to time-based pricing:
| GRIDSERVE | BP Pulse | InstaVolt | Pod Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offers lower rates between 8 pm-7 am at most locations, with savings of approximately 10-15% | Maintains consistent pricing throughout the day but offers better value through subscription models | Generally maintains flat-rate pricing regardless of time | Some locations feature time-of-use pricing, particularly at retail destinations |
Using dedicated EV charging apps can help you identify the most cost-effective charging points in your area and alert you to pricing changes. It is worth noting that most EV drivers - even those without driveways - would not find themselves charging more than once a week. It is therefore important to have a few locations in mind to combat price changes, and have options in busy locations.
Location and Timing Combinations
The most strategic approach combines both location and timing considerations.
Shopping centres often provide free or discounted charging during business hours, making daytime charging more economical
Workplace chargers are typically most cost-effective during working hours (9 am-5 pm) - and your company may allow free, or discounted charging as a benefit.
On-street residential chargers generally offer better rates overnight, similar to how home charging tariffs work.
Tesla Supercharger Network
Tesla's Supercharger network operates on a dynamic pricing model that varies by location, time of day, and even day of the week.
Understanding Tesla's Time-Based Pricing
Tesla's Supercharger network in the UK offers both off-peak and peak charging rates.
The off-peak rate is typically around 54 pence per kilowatt-hour, and off-peak hours occur when demand on the grid and chargers is lower.
The peak rate is usually around 67 pence per kWh, and peak hours are from 4 PM to 8 PM every day of the week.
To view the rates and peak times, you can check the navigation app within the Tesla touchscreen or view them in the Tesla app.
Location-Specific Pricing
Supercharger costs vary significantly by location. Urban Superchargers in central London typically cost 15-20% more than those in suburban or rural locations. Here's what we've found:
| Peak per kWh | Off-Peak per kWh | |
|---|---|---|
| London Superchargers | 50-60p | 38-45p |
| Major City Superchargers (Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh) | 45-55p | 33-40p |
| Motorway service stations | 48-58p | 48-58p |
| Rural locations | 42-50p | 30-38p |
Financial Support for Optimised Charging
The UK government continues to support the transition to electric vehicles through various grants - such as the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant. Available until the 31st of March 2026, this grant encompasses business and home charging points.
This grant can give eligible applicants up to £350 and is designed for EV drivers who live in a flat or rent any residential property.
The Charge Scheme is available for drivers using any electric car salary sacrifice scheme, and it allows employees to save 20-50% on all their charging through The Charge Scheme app and card.
Practical Considerations Beyond Cost
While cost savings are important, several other factors should influence how you choose to charge your EV.
Battery Health Optimisation
Manufacturers generally recommend maintaining your EV's battery between 20-80% for optimal longevity. This might mean setting charge limits to 80% for daily use, only charging to 100% before long journeys, and avoiding leaving the car at very low charge for extended periods.
Learn more about EV batteries, and how to look after them here.
Renewable Energy Integration
For environmentally-conscious drivers, timing your charging to coincide with peak renewable generation can reduce your carbon footprint:
Solar matching: If you have home solar, charging during daylight hours maximises self-consumption
Wind energy peaks: In the UK, wind generation often peaks overnight, making late-night charging greener
Grid carbon intensity: Apps like the National Grid's Carbon Intensity API can help time charging for when the grid is cleanest
Creating Your Optimal Charging Strategy
The best time to charge your electric car in the UK depends on your specific circumstances, but some general principles apply:
Home charging: Overnight charging (12 am-7 am) on an EV-specific tariff offers the most substantial savings for most drivers
Public charging: Off-peak hours (typically evenings and overnight) generally provide better value, though free charging at retail destinations can be excellent during shopping hours
Tesla owners: Late night to early morning (10 pm-6 am) offers the best Supercharger value
By strategically timing your charging sessions and selecting the right tariffs and locations, UK EV drivers can reduce their running costs by 50-70% compared to inefficient charging practices – potentially saving hundreds of pounds annually.
As the UK continues its transition toward net-zero transportation, understanding these timing strategies will become increasingly valuable for the growing number of electric vehicle owners across the country.
Are you interested in getting an electric car? Browse through our wide range of available EVs and save 20-50% through The Electric Car Scheme salary sacrifice.
If you’re interested in EV salary sacrifice or are looking to get closer to net-zero targets at your company, check out our website! Employees who utilise their company’s electric car salary sacrifice scheme can save 20-50% on the cost of a car.
Last updated: 14.03.25
