Off-peak EV charging times and costs in the UK

Most UK homes are still on a standard single-rate tariff where every kWh costs the same, day or night. However, more and more energy suppliers now offer off-peak and smart EV tariffs with much cheaper rates for several overnight hours.

By combining the right energy tariff with a smart home EV charger, you can automate charging so your car tops up when electricity is cleanest and cheapest — often cutting your charging costs by 50–70% compared with daytime rates.

Typical off-peak EV charging times in the UK

Exact off-peak times depend on your energy supplier and tariff, but most UK off-peak EV tariffs fall into these overnight windows:

• 22:00 – 05:00 – common off-peak window on many EV-specific tariffs
• 23:00 – 07:00 – similar to traditional Economy 7 off-peak hours
• 00:00 – 04:00 or 05:00 – very cheap “super off-peak” blocks on some smart tariffs

On a standard single-rate tariff, there is technically no off-peak time. Your price per kWh is the same all day. To benefit from cheaper overnight EV charging, you’ll usually need to switch to an Economy 7 or dedicated EV tariff (subject to availability in your region).

How much does it cost to charge an EV at home off-peak?

The cost of home EV charging depends on three things:

1. Your electricity tariff (pence per kWh)
2. Your car’s battery size (kWh)
3. How efficiently your car uses that energy (miles per kWh)

Below is a simple comparison of typical UK home EV charging costs using example prices. These are illustrative only — always check your latest bill or supplier for exact rates.

Example: 60 kWh EV battery

Assumptions:

• Battery capacity: 60 kWh (typical mid-size EV)
• Real-world range: 4 miles per kWh
• Day rate: 28p/kWh
• Off-peak EV rate: 8p/kWh

^*Illustrative rapid public charging price. Actual costs vary by network, location and membership.

In this example, off-peak home charging is around three times cheaper than daytime home charging, and around eight times cheaper than rapid public charging. Over a year, that difference adds up to hundreds of pounds in savings.

Standard, Economy 7 and EV tariffs compared

To choose the best way to charge your EV cheaply at home, it helps to understand the main types of tariff available in the UK.

1. Standard single-rate tariff

• One price per kWh, 24 hours a day.
• Simplest to understand, but no off-peak savings.
• EV charging costs the same whether you plug in at 3pm or 3am.

2. Economy 7 (and Economy 10) tariffs

• Two-rate tariffs with cheaper night-time electricity and a higher daytime rate.
• Common off-peak window is around 23:00 – 07:00, but varies by region and meter.
• Works well if you can shift a lot of your usage (EV, hot water, appliances) into the off-peak window.

3. Dedicated EV and smart time-of-use tariffs

• Designed specifically for EV drivers with home chargers.
• Offer a very low off-peak rate (sometimes under 10p/kWh) for several hours overnight.
• Often require a smart meter and may integrate with your EV or home charger to schedule charging automatically.

How long does it take to charge an EV at home off-peak?

Most domestic EV chargepoints in the UK are either 7.4 kW single-phase chargers or 3.6 kW units in homes with lower capacity supplies.

Typical home charging times

• 7.4 kW charger – adds roughly 25–30 miles of range per hour depending on your EV’s efficiency.
• 3.6 kW charger – adds roughly 12–15 miles of range per hour.

If your tariff offers a 4-hour cheap window (e.g. 00:30–04:30), a 7.4 kW charger can deliver around:

• 7.4 kW × 4 hours = around 30 kWh.
• 30 kWh × 4 miles per kWh = around 120 miles of range.

That is more than enough overnight range for most daily commutes, at the lowest available price on your tariff.

Smart chargers vs. using your car’s timer

Many EVs now have built-in charging timers that let you choose start and stop times. However, a smart home charger can usually go further:

Benefits of a smart home EV charger

• Automatic off-peak scheduling – set your cheap rate window once and let the charger handle the rest.
• Charge by departure time – tell the charger when you need the car ready, and it will optimise charging within your off-peak window.
• Remote control via app – start or stop charging, lock/unlock the charger and view history from your phone.
• Energy insights – see exactly how much charging is costing you and how much you’re saving with off-peak rates.

We supply and install a range of smart, OZEV-approved EV chargers that work seamlessly with popular UK off-peak tariffs and smart meters.

How to make the most of off-peak EV charging

Follow these simple steps to keep your EV charging costs under control:

1. Check your current tariff

• Look at your latest bill to see your current unit rate (p/kWh).
• If you only have one rate listed, you are on a single-rate tariff.
• If you see separate “day” and “night” rates, you are already on a two-rate (Economy 7 style) tariff.

2. Compare EV-specific tariffs

• Many major UK suppliers now offer EV tariffs with generous off-peak windows.
• Compare both the off-peak rate and the day rate — you still pay the day rate for normal household usage.
• Check any eligibility requirements such as smart meters or proof of EV ownership.

3. Install a dedicated home EV charger

• A dedicated wallbox is faster, safer and smarter than using a 3-pin plug.
• Most modern chargepoints can integrate with smart meters and EV tariffs.
• Professional installation ensures your home’s electrical supply is assessed and protected correctly.

4. Set up smart schedules

• Use your charger app or car settings to match your off-peak window.
• Set a maximum charge level (e.g. 80%) for daily use to help protect battery health.
• Only use daytime “boost” charging when you really need extra range.

5. Combine EV charging with other night-time usage

If you are on an Economy 7 or similar two-rate tariff, you can save even more by running other energy-hungry appliances overnight, such as:

• Electric immersion heaters (hot water)
• Storage heaters
• Dishwashers and washing machines (using delay timers)

Off-peak charging and your carbon footprint

As well as saving money, off-peak charging often helps to lower the carbon intensity of the electricity you use.

• Overnight, a higher share of UK electricity can come from wind power and other low-carbon sources.
• Smart tariffs and smart chargers can respond to grid signals, helping your EV charge when generation is cleanest.
• Some suppliers now provide 100% renewable electricity or “green” EV tariffs.

Charging your EV at home overnight can therefore cut both your running costs and your emissions compared with daytime or public charging.

Is off-peak EV charging right for every household?

Off-peak charging works best when:

• You have a driveway or off-street parking for a home charger.
• You can plug in most nights and leave the car until morning.
• You do not frequently need large rapid top-ups during the day.

It may be less suitable if you:

• Rely heavily on on-street or workplace charging.
• Have unpredictable shift patterns that mean the car is rarely at home overnight.
• Already have a very low fixed tariff and do not use much electricity at night.

If you are unsure whether an EV tariff and home charger are right for you, our team can quickly run through your usage patterns and advise on the best setup for your home.

Why choose EnergyPlus for your home EV charger?

We specialise in home EV charger installations across the UK, helping drivers take full advantage of off-peak charging and smart tariffs.

• Expert advice – we help you choose the right charger, location and setup for your property.
• Tariff-aware installation – our team understands off-peak EV tariffs and can show you how to schedule charging.
• OZEV-approved chargers – access to trusted brands and smart, app-connected devices.
• Neat, compliant installs – we handle all the electrical safety checks, paperwork and notifications.

From initial survey to switching on your new charger, we keep the process simple, safe and focused on saving you money in the long term.

Frequently asked questions about off-peak EV charging

What time is off-peak electricity in the UK?

Off-peak times vary by supplier and tariff, but for most Economy 7 and EV tariffs, off-peak is roughly between 22:00 and 07:00. Some EV tariffs offer a shorter “super off-peak” window (for example 00:30–04:30) at a very low rate. Always check your own tariff for exact times.

Do I need a smart meter to get off-peak EV rates?

For traditional Economy 7 tariffs, you may have a separate two-rate meter that does not need to be smart. However, most modern EV-specific tariffs do require a smart meter so the supplier can measure how much electricity you use in each time band.

Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or at public chargers?

In most cases it is significantly cheaper to charge at home, especially if you have an off-peak tariff. Public rapid chargers are designed for convenience and speed, so the price per kWh is usually much higher.

Can I still benefit from off-peak charging on a standard tariff?

If your tariff has only one unit rate, then there is no price difference between day and night. You might still choose to charge overnight for convenience, but you will not save money per kWh unless you move to a multi-rate or EV tariff.

Will off-peak charging damage my EV battery?

No. Charging slowly at home is generally kinder to your battery than repeated rapid charging. For day-to-day use many manufacturers recommend charging to around 80% rather than 100% to maximise long-term battery health, and your home charger or car app can help you set this up.

How do I know how much I’m saving?

Most smart chargers provide usage reports showing how many kWh you’ve added and when. Multiply the kWh charged in your off-peak window by your off-peak rate, compare it to your day rate, and you can see your savings. Our team can walk you through this when we install your charger.