Did you know that the time of day you decide to charge up your electric vehicle can cost a higher premium depending on the hour? Depending on how much electricity you use, charging and using electricity exclusively during off-peak hours can actually slash your monthly bill in half.
We're all looking to save money and lower our monthly electric bills. Did you know that strategically planning your household's electric vehicle charging windows can do just that? Learn how to cut costs through charging during off-peak hours!
What are "Off-Peak" Hours?
"Off-peak" is used to describe something that occurs or that is used during times when there is a major decrease in its demand from the general public. Electrical companies, such as PG&E, charge less for usage during off-peak times (less popular hours for charging) than the most popular hours.
Cost-wise, what hours are normally the best (and worst) for EV charging?
Off-peak hours vary depending on your area, but PG&E categorizes the most expensive charging hours (or "peak" times) as 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. So the most ideal times to charge your vehicle would be weekdays Monday through Friday (except most holidays) before 4 p.m. to 9 p.m, or any time on Saturday or Sunday. Because of this, avoid charging between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., if possible.
The most ideal, least expensive hours can vary by season and region. However, PG&E lists the following as suggested charging hours for their users:
Spring Months - 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. every day. "Super" off-peak is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day, March through May
Summer Months - 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. every day, July through September
Fall/Winter Months - 9 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day, October through February
Avoiding "peak" charging hours can save you hundreds on your electric bill every month.
As you can tell, the absolute worst window to charge (regardless of the time of year) would be between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the evening. These are considered year-around "peak" hours, and cost the most. This is due to people cooking dinner, showering, watching television, charging their electric vehicle after returning home.
To save money, try to plug in your electric vehicle after 9 p.m. at night. This will reduce your monthly electricity bill. Depending on how much electricity you use, charging and using electricity exclusively during off-peak hours can actually slash your monthly bill in half.
It's worth considering if it fits within your lifestyle, as it can make a major difference in conserving energy and lowering your monthly costs to drive an EV.