Best Energy Plans for Electric Vehicle Owners in Australia

Charging your electric vehicle at home is one of the biggest running cost advantages over petrol. But how much you actually pay per charge depends heavily on the energy plan you are on. Some of Australia's cheapest EV plans offer overnight charging rates as low as 4.5 to 8 c/kWh, although rates vary between retailers and states. Depending on your EV's battery size, charging overnight could cost only a few dollars, while charging during peak periods may cost several times more. There are many plans available; for example, AGL Energy Plans include a dedicated Night Saver EV option, and several other major retailers have launched EV-specific products worth comparing.

Let’s see which is better for you.

What Are Some of the Popular EV Energy Plans in 2026?

Here are the top EV plans currently available in Australia:

All of these plans require a smart meter. If your property still has an older accumulation meter, you'll generally need a smart meter before you can access time-of-use or EV-specific electricity plans. Your retailer can advise whether you're eligible for a meter upgrade and whether any costs apply.

How Do Off-Peak Electricity Times Work for EV Charging?

Off-peak electricity times vary slightly depending on your state and distributor, but the general pattern is consistent across Australia:

Actual time periods vary between states, electricity distributors, and retailers. Always check your plan's tariff schedule. The key takeaway for EV owners is simple. Charging during peak electricity hours can cost three to five times more than charging overnight. Most modern EVs have built-in scheduled charging, which means you can plug in when you get home and set the car to start drawing power at midnight. You wake up with a full battery and a minimal bill. Depending on how often you charge at home and your annual driving distance, many EV owners can save hundreds to more than $1,500 per year by switching from a standard flat-rate plan to a dedicated EV electricity plan.

How Much Does It Actually Cost to Charge an EV at Home?

Let's run the numbers on a Tesla Model 3 with a 62 kWh battery:

The difference between charging on a standard plan and an EV-specific off-peak electricity plan can be roughly $1,600 per year. That is a significant saving, and it involves nothing more than switching your plan and scheduling your charge time.

If you want rate certainty on top of those savings, the Energy Australia secure saver plan locks in your electricity rates for the contract term. This means your overnight charging costs stay predictable even if wholesale prices shift during the year.

What Should You Check Before Switching to an EV Plan?

Before signing up, there are a few things worth confirming:

• Your meter type: All EV-specific plans require a smart meter. If you don't have a smart meter, your retailer can advise whether you're eligible for an upgrade under the national smart meter rollout and whether any costs or conditions apply.
• Your daytime usage rate: Some EV plans offer a cheap overnight rate but charge a higher daytime rate to offset it. Check the full rate schedule, not just the headline number.
• Your solar feed-in tariff: If you have rooftop solar, check what feed-in rate the EV plan offers. AGL's solar feed-in tariff varies depending on your location and electricity network. Check the current energy price fact sheet for your postcode before switching. Some OVO Energy offers also include free daytime electricity during selected hours, depending on your location and the plan available.
• Your state availability: Energy Australia's EV Night Boost is currently only available in NSW. AGL energy plans with the Night Saver EV are available in NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA.

The Energy Australia Secure Saver plan is worth considering if you want fixed rates across your whole bill, not just the EV charging component. It does not have a dedicated EV overnight window, but the rate certainty protects your total household costs.

Summary

Depending on your driving habits and charging schedule, EV-specific electricity plans may help reduce annual charging costs by hundreds to more than $1,500 compared with a standard flat-rate plan. The key is matching your charging schedule to off-peak electricity hours, using your EV's built-in timer to automate the process, and checking the full rate schedule (including daytime and peak-hour electricity rates) before committing. Compare AGL energy plans, Energy Australia, OVO Energy, and others side by side for your postcode. The right plan depends on your state, your meter type, your solar setup, and when you typically charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the cheapest EV charging rates in Australia?

OVO Energy currently offers the lowest dedicated EV rate at 4.5 c/kWh between 12 am and 6 am. Energy Australia's EV Night Boost sits at 7 c/kWh, and AGL's Night Saver EV at 8 c/kWh during the same off-peak electricity hours.

Q: Do I need a special charger to use an EV energy plan?

No. You can charge from a standard power point or a dedicated wall charger. A dedicated wall charger is much faster than a standard household power point, but charging speed depends on your EV model and the charger installed.

What are the typical off-peak electricity times for EV charging?

Most EV-specific plans define their cheapest window as 12 am to 6 am. General off-peak electricity times on standard time-of-use tariffs usually run from around 10 pm to 7 am, though exact hours vary by state and distributor.

Can I use an EV plan if I also have solar?

If you have rooftop solar, compare the feed-in tariff offered by each retailer alongside the EV charging rate. Some retailers also offer separate daytime electricity promotions, but these are not included with every EV plan.

Is it worth switching to a dedicated EV plan?

For most EV owners who charge at home overnight, yes. The savings of $1,000 to $1,600 per year compared to a standard plan can be significant. Check your daytime rate and feed-in tariff alongside the overnight rate to make sure the overall plan works for your full household usage.