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EV Charging

Best Electricity Plans for EV Charging

Written by

Michael Malone

Last edited

11/11/2024

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:
  • Five electricity providers in Ireland offer EV charging night boost plans
  • EV night boost unit rates range from 5.45 cent to 10.52 cent.
  • Pinergy’s Lifestyle ‘EV Drive Time’ is the cheapest EV night boost unit rate

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

pinergy solar panels
SSE Airtricity solar provider
Energia solar provider
Bord Gáis Energy solar provider
Electric Ireland

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 solar panels

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 solar provider

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 solar provider

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

Bord Gáis Energy solar provider

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

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

Night boost or EV smart charging electricity plans can save a lot of money on charging your electric car, however it is important to compare providers as some have much higher day and peak unit rates.

Pinergy currently has the cheapest Night Boost electricity rate at only 5.45 cent per kWh, lasting from 2am to 5am each night.

Energia has the longest Night Boost duration, for 4 hours (2am – 6am) every night.

Five of the 11 electricity providers in Ireland have Night Boost unit rates designed for EV charging.

Yes, if you have a modern type 2 EV charger you can use an app or the screen to schedule your charging for during the cheapest hours at night.

Only Electric Ireland offers an EV welcome bonus of €350 to those who have an electric car charger installed.

EV Charging Station FAQ

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.

Popular Content 🔥

Best Electricity Plans for EV Charging

Written by

Michael Malone

Last edited 

21/11/2024

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:
  • Five electricity providers in Ireland offer EV charging night boost plans
  • EV night boost unit rates range from 5.45 cent to 10.52 cent.
  • Pinergy’s Lifestyle ‘EV Drive Time’ is the cheapest EV night boost unit rate

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

pinergy solar panels
SSE Airtricity solar provider
Energia solar provider
Bord Gáis Energy solar provider
Electric Ireland

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 solar panels

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 solar provider

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 solar provider

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

Bord Gáis Energy solar provider

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

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

Night boost or EV smart charging electricity plans can save a lot of money on charging your electric car, however it is important to compare providers as some have much higher day and peak unit rates.

Pinergy currently has the cheapest Night Boost electricity rate at only 5.45 cent per kWh, lasting from 2am to 5am each night.

Energia has the longest Night Boost duration, for 4 hours (2am – 6am) every night.

Five of the 11 electricity providers in Ireland have Night Boost unit rates designed for EV charging.

Yes, if you have a modern type 2 EV charger you can use an app or the screen to schedule your charging for during the cheapest hours at night.

Only Electric Ireland offers an EV welcome bonus of €350 to those who have an electric car charger installed.

EV Charging Station FAQ

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.

Popular Content 🔥

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