What is the Best Time to Charge EV at Home?

Determining the best time to charge an electric vehicle (EV) involves a number of factors, including grid impact, electricity prices, and sustainable practices. According to a Stanford University study, charging during the day is more conducive to balancing electricity demand and reduces the likelihood of overloading nearby substations.

Additionally, if you have a solar power system installed at your home, charging during the middle of the day when there is plenty of daylight may be the best option, as it allows you to charge your vehicle at a low or even zero cost, while meeting broader sustainability goals!

Cheapest Time to Charge EV at Home

From a cost perspective, charging at night is usually the cheapest because it’s a time when electricity demand is lower and rates are relatively low. Many utility companies offer different tariff structures depending on the time of day, with morning and afternoon being the peak hours and late night and evening being the low hours. Therefore, choosing to charge during the low hours can help you save a lot of money.

Home EV Charger with Timer

With smart charging, you can schedule charging to start automatically during low hours, ensuring you don’t miss out on cost-saving opportunities. This means you can charge at times when electricity prices are lower, without having to do it yourself.

EV Charging Time at Home

Charging time at home can range from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending largely on the speed of your charge point and the battery capacity of your vehicle. For example, a typical 60 kWh battery using a 7 kW charge point will take approximately 8 hours to charge from 0% to 100%. Using a 50 kW fast charger, you can add 160 kilometers of range in about 35 minutes. However, slow charging points and large vehicle batteries tend to increase charging times.