As electric vehicles become more common on Irish roads, when and how you charge at home is becoming a big part of saving money and maximising efficiency. Understanding your electricity usage and timing can have a real impact on your energy bills, and your EV ownership experience. Here's Nevo’s smart guide to getting the most from your home charging setup, powered by SSE Airtricity.

Why When You Charge Matters More Than You Think

Timing your EV charging is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs. Electricity rates in Ireland vary throughout the day, higher during peak demand and lower during off-peak hours. Charging during off-peak times not only cuts your electricity bill, but also eases demand on the national grid.

According to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), peak demand usually falls between 5p.m. and 7p.m., when households are at their busiest. Charging during these hours can be more expensive, especially if you're on a standard variable rate. The smart move? Charge between 2am – 5am to take advantage of super low rates and contribute to a more balanced grid.

Peak vs Off-Peak: Understanding the Electricity Rate Curve

To make the most of your EV charging, it helps to understand how electricity pricing changes throughout the day. Many providers offer time-of-use tariffs, which break the day into pricing bands, typically including peak, off-peak, and even “super off-peak” periods. By aligning your charging with these lower-cost windows, you can unlock significant savings:

• Peak Hours: Typically from 5p.m. to 7p.m. - when electricity is at its most expensive.
• Off-Peak Hours: Usually from 11p.m. to 8a.m. - a cheaper window with lower demand.
• Super Off-Peak Hours: Some providers offer ultra-low rates between 2a.m. and 5a.m. - the ideal time to charge.

Providers like SSE Airtricity offer flexible plans with off-peak and super off-peak rates, making it easier to save just by charging overnight.

The Benefits of Scheduled Charging

Scheduled charging is one of the simplest ways to take advantage of off-peak pricing. Most EVs and home chargers today allow you to programme specific charging times, so you don’t need to worry about remembering to plug in at the right time.

For example, if your plan offers super off-peak rates from 2a.m. to 5a.m., you can set your EV to start and finish charging within that window. Not only does this help you save money, but it also protects battery health by avoiding unnecessary charging and keeping your battery within its optimal charge range.

Smarter Tools for Smarter Charging

EnergiHub from SSE Airtricity is a handy platform built for Irish EV drivers looking to optimise how and when they charge at home. Energihub uses AI to ensure you’re getting the lowest rates on the market. Its smart features make cost-saving effortless:

• Cheaper Charging: The AI aligns your EV charging with periods of higher renewable energy on the grid, and at a market leading low rate of 5 cents per kWh (ex VAT)
• Ease of Use: Once EnergiHub is set up, simply plug in your EV each evening and let the AI do the thinking.
• Usage Insights: Get detailed data on when and how much you charged each evening
• Be Greener: Become even greener by fuelling your EV with a higher portion of renewably sourced energy.

Using tools like EnergiHub puts you in control of your energy use, both financially and environmentally.

Home Charging vs Public: The Cost Difference

While public charging is handy for long trips or top-ups on the go, home charging is almost always the cheaper choice. Public fast chargers in Ireland can cost anywhere from 33 to 47 cents per kWh. By contrast, home charging, especially on an off-peak plan, can cost as little as 12 to 15 cents per kWh.

Over time, that difference really adds up. And with SEAI grants of up to €350 available to help with installation (which typically costs between €800 and €1,500), setting up home charging makes long-term sense for most EV owners.

Nevo Summary

Smarter charging isn’t just about plugging in, it’s about making informed, simple choices that lower your costs and benefit your EV in the long run. By timing your charging sessions strategically, choosing a flexible electricity plan, and using tools like EnergiHub, you can maximise your savings, protect your battery, and support a greener energy grid for Ireland.