EV Electricity Plans: Do You Really Need One?

This article explains how EV-specific electricity plans work and what EV plans are currently available in Australia

EV plans are typically time-of-use tariffs marketed as EV products. They can offer very low electricity prices during a defined overnight window, but that discount is usually offset by higher prices at other times of the day.

EV Electricity Plans in Australia

The EV plan market in Australia is still evolving, with retailers testing different tariff structures and charging incentives.

The rates and time windows below focus on each plan’s lowest-cost EV charging period. This shows how each plan is structured, but doesn’t represent the full tariff — higher rates apply at other times and outcomes vary by state, network area, and meter setup. For exact details, follow the plan links for your area.

In practice, most EV plans fall into two main structures: night-based charging tariffs and alternative or managed charging options — the differences become clearer when you look at real plans.

Night Charging Plans

These are the most common EV-specific plans, offering a dedicated overnight window where electricity is significantly cheaper.

OVO Energy – The EV Plan

Good for: Overnight charging households
Benefit: Very low overnight rate (~4.5c/kWh, typically 12am–6am)
Watch out for: Higher peak rates

ENGIE – EV Flex Charge

Good for: Predictable night charging
Benefit: Low overnight rate (~10c/kWh equivalent, typically 12am–6am)
Watch out for: Fixed window

AGL – Night Saver EV Plan

Good for: Heavy night-time users
Benefit: Lower overnight rate (~8c/kWh, typically 12am–6am)
Watch out for: Higher peak rates

EnergyAustralia – EV Night Boost

Good for: Off-peak EV charging
Benefit: Discounted overnight rate (~10–20c/kWh equivalent, varies by network window)
Watch out for: Complex structure

Powershop – EV Night Saver

Good for: Night charging users
Benefit: Lower overnight rate (~10–20c/kWh equivalent, off-peak window)
Watch out for: Peak rates

Synergy – EV Add-On

Good for: WA EV users
Benefit: Lower overnight EV charging rate (~19c/kWh overnight within a broader time-of-use tariff)
Watch out for: State-specific tariff and multi-period pricing structure

Other EV Charging Plans

These use alternative structures such as daytime discounts, weekend incentives, or managed charging systems rather than a single overnight window.

Powershop – EV Day Saver

Good for: Daytime charging / solar alignment
Benefit: Lower daytime rate (~10–25c/kWh equivalent, midday window)
Watch out for: Peak rates

Red Energy – EV Saver (Weekend Free Window)

Good for: Weekend charging
Benefit: Free electricity window (effectively $0/kWh during weekend period)
Watch out for: Fixed window

Origin Energy – EV Power Up

Good for: Managed / flexible charging households
Benefit: Smart charging with a discounted rate (~8c/kWh when charging is scheduled automatically by Origin)
Watch out for: Not a fixed tariff — charging times are controlled, and standard plan rates apply outside scheduled sessions

(Disclosure: SolarQuotes is owned by Origin Energy.)

Free Daytime Charging Offers

Some retailers  include a free 3-4 hour daytime window around midday. While they are not always labelled as EV-specific plans, they can still be used for EV charging where the timing suits the household and your EV charger is fast enough to take advantage.

Are EV Plans Worth It?

EV electricity plans can save you money, but only if the pricing fits your charging routine.

Home overnight? EV plans are probably your cheapest option.

Home during the day with good solar? Smart solar charging off your excess generation will likely beat an off-peak tariff.

Home during the day but solar can’t keep up year-round? An overnight EV tariff  or ‘3 free’ plan is great for cheap top-ups.

Got a home battery too? An EV tariff paired with a grid-configured charger lets you fill the car without draining the valuable kWh in your home battery.

Thinking of a home battery? An EV plan lets you buy a smaller battery because you don’t have to charge your car from your home battery.

The Bottom Line

Whether an EV tariff is for you depends on when your car is home, what generation and storage you have, and how much you actually drive. And don’t sign up for an EV tariff, without checking what happens to your daytime rates. There’s no point saving money on EV charging only to lose it powering the rest of your home.