Best Electricity Plans for EV Charging
Written by
Michael Malone
Last edited
31/10/2024
Electric vehicles are a great way of reducing your carbon footprint, and they can also be cheap to run. However, with the price of electricity remaining high, it is essential to compare providers to find the best electricity deal for EV charging. Five electricity suppliers in Ireland offer EV charge rates – so let’s pit them against each other.
The key takeaways:
Night Boost Electricity Plans for EV Charging
Night Boost electricity plans are sometimes known as EV Charging plans because they are designed for electric car drivers.
These time-of-use plans are different to 24-hour plans which have one set unit price for electricity throughout the day. Night Boost plans offer much lower rates for between two and four hours each night, so that people can charge their EVs for a fraction of what it would cost during the day.
The plans can be similar to other time-of-use plans which have day, night and peak unit rates, or 24-hour plans, with a fixed unit price for the other 20 to 22 hours of the day.
Electricity Suppliers Offering EV Charging Plans
Comparing EV Night Boost Electricity Plans
By using our comparison table below, you can quickly compare Night Boost plans to decide which one best suits your needs. It is important to note that each provider sets its own times for its lower EV charge unit price, and some providers also offer discounts for new or even existing customers.
We discuss every plan in more detail below, but let’s first look at an overview of the unit rates and standing charges for Night Boost plans from the 5 electricity suppliers.
The Cheapest EV Charging Electricity Plans
Provider | Plan Name | Day Rate* | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Charge Rate | Standing Charge |
Pinergy | Lifestyle EV Drive Time | 37.03 | 37.03 | 37.03 | 5.45 | €283.47 (urban & rural) |
SSE Airtricity | Smart EV Charge | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 (urban)
€367.26 (rural) |
Energia | Smart Drive | 39.84 | 39.84 | 39.84 | 8.87 | €236.62 (urban)
€300.91 (rural) |
Bord Gáis | (Green) EV Smart Electricity | 36.53 (urban)
38.18 (rural) |
50.94 (urban)
50.03 (rural) |
27.54 (urban)
27.44 (rural) |
9.31 | €298.64 (urban)
€348.65 (rural) |
Electric Ireland | Home Electric+ Night Boost | 36.34 | 36.34 | 17.92 | 10.52 | €328.58 (urban)
€400.48 (rural) |
*All rates are measured in cents per unit.
Pinergy EV Drive Time Plan
Pinergy’s Lifestyle ‘EV Drive Time’ is the cheapest Night Boost rate at just 5.45c per kWh. This unit price is effective from 2am – 5am each night.
At all other times of the day (including peak hours) the unit price is 37.03c, and the standing charge for both urban and rural customers is €283.47. There are no additional discounts associated with this plan.
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Night Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban & Rural | Pinergy Lifestyle EV Drive Time | Direct Debit | 0% | 37.03 | 37.03 | 37.03 | 5.45 | €283.47 |
SSE Airtricity Smart EV Charge Plan
SSE Airtricity’s EV charging electricity tariff is the ‘Smart EV Charge’ plan, which has a 15% discount for new customers paying by direct debit and online billing only. Customers who don’t set up a direct debit must pay a €300 security deposit and the discount is reduced.
SSE Airtricity’s EV charge unit rate lasts for 3 hours – from 2am – 5am.
The day rate applies to 8am – 11pm excluding the peak which runs from 5pm – 7pm.
Region | Plan Name | Payment method | Billing | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Charge Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Online | 15% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Online | 15% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Post | 11% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Post | 11% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Online | 5% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Online | 5% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Post | 1% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Post | 1% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Energia Smart Drive Plan
Energia’s Smart Drive EV charging unit rate of 8.87 cents is 4 hours – the longest on the market – lasting from 2am – 6am.
For the other 18 hours, the Smart Drive electricity plan unit rate is 39.84 cent.
New customers on Energia’s Smart Drive Plan can avail of a 15% discount during the first 12 months
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Charge Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | Smart Drive | Direct Debit | 15% | 39.84 | 39.84 | 39.84 | 8.87 | 236.62 |
Rural | Smart Drive | Direct Debit | 15% | 39.84 | 39.84 | 39.84 | 8.87 | 300.91 |
Bord Gáis Energy Green EV Smart Plan
For new customers on Bord Gáis’ Green EV Smart Electricity plan, the discount rate is between 29% and 32%, and for existing customers it is between 22% and 24%. The Green EV Smart Electricity (29%) has a cash bonus of €50.
Bord Gáis’ EV charge unit rate lasts for 3 hours each night from 2am to 5am. The day rate is 8am – 11pm, and peak is Monday to Friday, 5pm – 7pm. Night is from 11pm to 8am, excluding the EV charge time.
Note that unit rates for Bord Gáis’s Green EV Smart plan unit rates are slightly different for urban and rural customers.
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Discount | Welcome Bonus | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Night Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 32% (new)
24% (existing) |
€0 | 36.53 | 50.94 | 27.54 | 9.31 | €298.64 |
Rural | Green EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 32% (new)
24% (existing) |
€0 | 38.18 | 50.03 | 27.44 | 9.31 | €348.65 |
Urban | Green EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 29% (new)
22% (existing) |
€50 (new) | 36.53 | 50.94 | 27.54 | 9.31 | €298.64 |
Rural | Green EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 29% (new)
22% (existing) |
€50 (new) | 38.18 | 50.03 | 27.44 | 9.31 | €348.65 |
Electric Ireland Home Electric+ Night Boost Plan
Electric Ireland’s Home Electric+ Night Boost unit rate of 10.52 cents lasts for 2 hours every night from 2am – 4am.
Electric Ireland offers a €350 EV welcome bonus to new customers with an EV and an EV charger, and a 5.5% discount (5% for direct debit and 0.5% for online billing).
The day rate begins at 8am and finishes at 11pm with no separate unit price during peak hours – meaning from 5pm to 7pm this plan is up to 36% cheaper than other EV night boost plans.
The night rate, which lasts from 11pm to 8am excluding the two hours between 2am and 4am, is 17.92 cents per unit.
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Welcome Bonus | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Night Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | Home Electric & Night Boost | Direct Debit + eBill | €350 (EV charger required) | 5.5% | 36.34 | 36.34 | 17.92 | 10.52 | €328.58 |
Rural | Home Electric & Night Boost | Direct Debit + eBill | €350 (EV charger required) | 5.5% | 36.34 | 36.34 | 17.92 | 10.52 | €400.48 |
FAQs
Author:
Michael Malone
SOLAR ENERGY EDITOR
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
Author:
Michael Malone
Solar Energy Editor
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
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Best Electricity Plans for EV Charging
Written by
Michael Malone
Last edited
07/11/2024
Electric vehicles are a great way of reducing your carbon footprint, and they can also be cheap to run. However, with the price of electricity remaining high, it is essential to compare providers to find the best electricity deal for EV charging. Five electricity suppliers in Ireland offer EV charge rates – so let’s pit them against each other.
The key takeaways:
Night Boost Electricity Plans for EV Charging
Night Boost electricity plans are sometimes known as EV Charging plans because they are designed for electric car drivers.
These time-of-use plans are different to 24-hour plans which have one set unit price for electricity throughout the day. Night Boost plans offer much lower rates for between two and four hours each night, so that people can charge their EVs for a fraction of what it would cost during the day.
The plans can be similar to other time-of-use plans which have day, night and peak unit rates, or 24-hour plans, with a fixed unit price for the other 20 to 22 hours of the day.
Electricity Suppliers Offering EV Charging Plans
Comparing EV Night Boost Electricity Plans
By using our comparison table below, you can quickly compare Night Boost plans to decide which one best suits your needs. It is important to note that each provider sets its own times for its lower EV charge unit price, and some providers also offer discounts for new or even existing customers.
We discuss every plan in more detail below, but let’s first look at an overview of the unit rates and standing charges for Night Boost plans from the 5 electricity suppliers.
The Cheapest EV Charging Electricity Plans
Provider | Plan Name | Day Rate* | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Charge Rate | Standing Charge |
Pinergy | Lifestyle EV Drive Time | 37.03 | 37.03 | 37.03 | 5.45 | €283.47 (urban & rural) |
SSE Airtricity | Smart EV Charge | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 (urban)
€367.26 (rural) |
Energia | Smart Drive | 39.84 | 39.84 | 39.84 | 8.87 | €236.62 (urban)
€300.91 (rural) |
Bord Gáis | (Green) EV Smart Electricity | 36.53 (urban)
38.18 (rural) |
50.94 (urban)
50.03 (rural) |
27.54 (urban)
27.44 (rural) |
9.31 | €298.64 (urban)
€348.65 (rural) |
Electric Ireland | Home Electric+ Night Boost | 36.34 | 36.34 | 17.92 | 10.52 | €328.58 (urban)
€400.48 (rural) |
*All rates are measured in cents per unit.
Pinergy EV Drive Time Plan
Pinergy’s Lifestyle ‘EV Drive Time’ is the cheapest Night Boost rate at just 5.45c per kWh. This unit price is effective from 2am – 5am each night.
At all other times of the day (including peak hours) the unit price is 37.03c, and the standing charge for both urban and rural customers is €283.47. There are no additional discounts associated with this plan.
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Night Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban & Rural | Pinergy Lifestyle EV Drive Time | Direct Debit | 0% | 37.03 | 37.03 | 37.03 | 5.45 | €283.47 |
SSE Airtricity Smart EV Charge Plan
SSE Airtricity’s EV charging electricity tariff is the ‘Smart EV Charge’ plan, which has a 15% discount for new customers paying by direct debit and online billing only. Customers who don’t set up a direct debit must pay a €300 security deposit and the discount is reduced.
SSE Airtricity’s EV charge unit rate lasts for 3 hours – from 2am – 5am.
The day rate applies to 8am – 11pm excluding the peak which runs from 5pm – 7pm.
Region | Plan Name | Payment method | Billing | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Charge Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Online | 15% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Online | 15% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Post | 11% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Direct Debit | Post | 11% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Online | 5% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Online | 5% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Urban | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Post | 1% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €305.72 |
Rural | Smart EV Charge | Pay on Receipt | Post | 1% | 39.24 | 52.75 | 22.23 | 8.58 | €367.26 |
Energia Smart Drive Plan
Energia’s Smart Drive EV charging unit rate of 8.87 cents is 4 hours – the longest on the market – lasting from 2am – 6am.
For the other 18 hours, the Smart Drive electricity plan unit rate is 39.84 cent.
New customers on Energia’s Smart Drive Plan can avail of a 15% discount during the first 12 months
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Charge Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | Smart Drive | Direct Debit | 15% | 39.84 | 39.84 | 39.84 | 8.87 | 236.62 |
Rural | Smart Drive | Direct Debit | 15% | 39.84 | 39.84 | 39.84 | 8.87 | 300.91 |
Bord Gáis Energy Green EV Smart Plan
For new customers on Bord Gáis’ Green EV Smart Electricity plan, the discount rate is between 29% and 32%, and for existing customers it is between 22% and 24%. The Green EV Smart Electricity (29%) has a cash bonus of €50.
Bord Gáis’ EV charge unit rate lasts for 3 hours each night from 2am to 5am. The day rate is 8am – 11pm, and peak is Monday to Friday, 5pm – 7pm. Night is from 11pm to 8am, excluding the EV charge time.
Note that unit rates for Bord Gáis’s Green EV Smart plan unit rates are slightly different for urban and rural customers.
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Discount | Welcome Bonus | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Night Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 32% (new)
24% (existing) |
€0 | 36.53 | 50.94 | 27.54 | 9.31 | €298.64 |
Rural | Green EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 32% (new)
24% (existing) |
€0 | 38.18 | 50.03 | 27.44 | 9.31 | €348.65 |
Urban | Green EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 29% (new)
22% (existing) |
€50 (new) | 36.53 | 50.94 | 27.54 | 9.31 | €298.64 |
Rural | Green EV Smart Electricity | Direct Debit | 29% (new)
22% (existing) |
€50 (new) | 38.18 | 50.03 | 27.44 | 9.31 | €348.65 |
Electric Ireland Home Electric+ Night Boost Plan
Electric Ireland’s Home Electric+ Night Boost unit rate of 10.52 cents lasts for 2 hours every night from 2am – 4am.
Electric Ireland offers a €350 EV welcome bonus to new customers with an EV and an EV charger, and a 5.5% discount (5% for direct debit and 0.5% for online billing).
The day rate begins at 8am and finishes at 11pm with no separate unit price during peak hours – meaning from 5pm to 7pm this plan is up to 36% cheaper than other EV night boost plans.
The night rate, which lasts from 11pm to 8am excluding the two hours between 2am and 4am, is 17.92 cents per unit.
Region | Plan Name | Payment Method | Welcome Bonus | Discount | Day Rate | Peak Rate | Night Rate | EV Night Rate | Standing Charge |
Urban | Home Electric & Night Boost | Direct Debit + eBill | €350 (EV charger required) | 5.5% | 36.34 | 36.34 | 17.92 | 10.52 | €328.58 |
Rural | Home Electric & Night Boost | Direct Debit + eBill | €350 (EV charger required) | 5.5% | 36.34 | 36.34 | 17.92 | 10.52 | €400.48 |
FAQs
Author:
Michael Malone
SOLAR ENERGY EDITOR
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
Author:
Michael Malone
Solar Energy Editor
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.