# When Is the Cheapest Time to Charge Your EV?

By EV Charge Cables · Published 7 October 2026

**The short version**

The cheapest time to charge your EV is overnight on an off-peak tariff, often around 7 to 10p per kWh.

- A 60kWh charge can cost around £4 to £5 overnight versus roughly £15 to £17 at standard rates
- Smart EV tariffs automate charging into the cheapest hours
- Use a timer on the car or charger and check current rates

The cheapest time to charge your EV at home is overnight, usually between roughly midnight and 5am, when off-peak electricity tariffs are at their lowest. On a dedicated EV tariff, off-peak rates can drop to around 7 to 10p per kWh, compared with roughly 25 to 28p per kWh on a standard day rate. That means charging a typical 60kWh battery from about 10 to 100% can cost around £4 to £5 overnight instead of roughly £15 to £17 at standard rates. To make the most of it, you need a home charger or portable charger and, ideally, a smart EV tariff. Start by seeing [which cable suits your car](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/ev-charging-cable), then plan your charging around the cheap window. Always check current rates with your supplier, as prices move.

### At a glance: when EV charging is cheapest

| Charging window | Typical rate (approx, check current) | Cost for ~60kWh charge | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-peak overnight (EV tariff) | ~7 to 10p/kWh | ~£4 to £6 | Planned home charging |
| Standard home day rate | ~25 to 28p/kWh | ~£15 to £17 | Top-ups when off-peak missed |
| Public slower AC | ~30 to 50p/kWh | Varies by session | Destination and workplace |
| Public rapid DC | ~45 to 80p/kWh | Varies by session | Long journeys only |

### Why is overnight charging so much cheaper?

Overnight charging is cheaper because demand on the grid falls sharply after midnight, so suppliers offer low off-peak rates to shift EV charging into those quiet hours. Dedicated EV tariffs build a cheap window into your bill, often around 4 to 6 hours a night. During that window you might pay roughly a third of the standard rate, or less. The catch is that the cheap price only applies inside the window, so you want your car doing most of its charging then. Outside it, you usually pay the standard day rate.

### How much can you actually save?

The saving is significant for most drivers. Charging a 60kWh battery from around 10 to 100% costs roughly £4 to £5 on a cheap overnight rate of about 7 to 10p per kWh, versus roughly £15 to £17 at a standard rate near 25 to 28p per kWh. Over a year, a typical driver covering average mileage could save a meaningful sum simply by moving charging into the off-peak window. Your exact figure depends on mileage, battery size, tariff and how efficient your car is, so treat these as approximate and check current rates.

### Do you need a smart tariff to get the cheap rate?

You do not strictly need a smart tariff, but it helps a lot. A smart EV tariff such as Octopus Intelligent Go or OVO Charge Anytime automates charging into the cheapest hours, so you plug in and the system handles timing. Without one, you can still use a standard off-peak tariff and a timer on your charger or car to start charging at midnight. The main difference is convenience and, sometimes, a slightly better rate. Learn more in our guide to the [best EV tariffs in the UK](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/blogs/guides/best-ev-tariffs-uk-explained).

### What if you charge with a portable charger?

You can still use the cheap overnight window with a portable charger, but it is slower. A 3-pin granny charger delivers around 2.3kW and adds roughly 8 to 10 miles of range per hour, so a full charge takes much longer than a 7.4kW home wallbox that adds around 25 to 30 miles per hour. If your off-peak window is only 4 to 6 hours, a portable charger may not fully refill a large battery in one night. Always plug a portable charger straight into a wall socket, never an extension lead. See our range of [portable EV chargers](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/portable-ev-chargers).

### How do you set charging to the cheap window?

There are three common ways. First, use a smart tariff that schedules charging for you. Second, set a departure or start time in your car's charging menu so it only pulls power off-peak. Third, use your home charger's app or built-in timer. Whichever you choose, double-check the schedule holds after software updates, and confirm the car actually starts and stops in the right window for the first few nights.

#### Quick checklist

- Confirm your off-peak hours with your supplier
- Set a timer on the car or charger to match
- Plug in before the window starts
- Check the first few sessions land in the cheap hours

### Frequently asked questions

#### What is the cheapest time to charge an EV at home?

Overnight, usually between roughly midnight and 5am, is cheapest on most EV tariffs. Off-peak rates can fall to around 7 to 10p per kWh, well below the roughly 25 to 28p standard day rate. The exact window depends on your tariff, so check current rates and hours with your supplier before setting a schedule.

#### How much does a full charge cost overnight?

Charging a typical 60kWh battery from about 10 to 100% costs roughly £4 to £5 on a cheap overnight rate near 7 to 10p per kWh. At a standard rate of around 25 to 28p per kWh, the same charge costs roughly £15 to £17. Your figure varies with battery size and efficiency, so treat these as approximate.

#### Do I need a special tariff for cheap charging?

Not strictly, but an EV or off-peak tariff makes a big difference. Smart EV tariffs automate charging into the cheapest hours, while a standard off-peak tariff needs you to set a timer. Either way, moving charging overnight is where the saving comes from. Compare options and check current rates before switching.

#### Can I charge cheaply with a granny charger?

Yes, but it is slow. A 3-pin portable charger delivers around 2.3kW and adds roughly 8 to 10 miles per hour, so a large battery may not fully charge within a short off-peak window. It still uses the cheap rate while running. Always plug it directly into a wall socket, never an extension lead or multi-way adapter.

#### Is public charging cheaper at certain times?

Public charging pricing is usually flat by network rather than time-based, though some networks run off-peak deals. Rapid DC charging is typically dearest at around 45 to 80p per kWh, while slower public AC can be cheaper. For everyday savings, home overnight charging beats public charging in nearly all cases. Check each network's current rates.

#### Will overnight charging harm my battery?

No, regular overnight charging is fine for daily use. Many drivers set a limit of around 80% for daily charging and only go to 100% before longer trips, which is a common habit rather than a strict rule. Follow your manufacturer's guidance, as recommendations vary between cars.

Charging overnight on the right tariff is the single biggest lever on your running costs, so it pays to get the timing and the kit right. Read our guide to the [best EV tariffs in the UK explained](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/blogs/guides/best-ev-tariffs-uk-explained) to pick a plan, and see [Octopus Intelligent Go explained](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/blogs/guides/octopus-intelligent-go-explained) for one popular smart option. When you are ready to charge, find [the right cable for your car](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/ev-charging-cable) and keep a slow backup with our [portable EV chargers](https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/portable-ev-chargers). Check current rates before you commit.

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Canonical version: https://www.evchargecable.co.uk/blogs/guides/cheapest-time-to-charge-your-ev

EV Charge Cables, EV charging cables matched to your car: https://www.evchargecable.co.uk. Some links in this article are Amazon affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.