Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
The cheapest time to charge an electric car is the lowest-priced period on your electricity tariff—not automatically overnight. The hours vary by utility, plan, location, season, and day of the week. Check your current rate schedule, then use your car or home charger’s timer to charge during the applicable low-cost window.
Why there is no universal cheapest hour
Utilities set their own time-of-use schedules, and some offer special rates for EV owners. As a result, “charge at night” is not a reliable rule: some plans make daytime hours inexpensive, while others define off-peak as overnight. Your tariff may also change by season or distinguish weekdays from weekends and holidays.
These utility examples show how widely the schedules can differ. They are local illustrations, not recommendations for customers outside the named service area or plan. Check the utility’s current terms before relying on a schedule.
| Utility and plan | Published lower-cost window or guidance | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| PG&E EV2-A | Midnight to 3 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays. | This schedule applies to EV2-A. Confirm current rates and eligibility. PG&E’s EV rate information |
| Southern California Edison TOU-D-PRIME | SCE advises charging from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; its schedule identifies 4–9 p.m. as the highest-rate period. | The schedule includes seasonal and weekday/weekend details. Check the current season and tariff. SCE’s TOU-D-PRIME information |
| Con Edison time-of-use option | Off-peak: midnight to 8 a.m. | This is an option described by Con Edison, not necessarily the default for every customer. Con Edison’s time-of-use information |
| Palo Alto Utilities | Charge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and avoid 4–9 p.m. peak hours. | This is local municipal utility guidance. Palo Alto Utilities’ EV guidance |
| Mesa EV time-of-use rate | Super-off-peak: 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. | For eligible customers in Mesa’s service area. Mesa’s EV rate information |
How to find your own cheapest charging window
- Identify your exact electricity plan. Check your bill or utility account for the provider and residential tariff name. A utility may offer several plans with different schedules and eligibility rules.
- Read the current rate schedule. Find the plan’s off-peak, super-off-peak, and peak windows. Note seasonal dates, weekday and weekend rules, eligibility requirements, fixed or daily charges, and whether the plan covers the whole home or a separate EV meter. PG&E, SCE, and other utilities publish plan-specific terms. PG&E, utility plan information, SCE
- Compare the whole bill, not just the EV rate. A time-of-use plan can change the price of electricity used throughout your home. Estimate likely monthly costs using your non-EV household use as well as charging, and include plan-specific charges. A low advertised EV price alone does not establish that a plan will lower your total bill.
- Schedule charging for the low-price period. Set the start time in your car or home charging station, and check that charging will not routinely continue into a more expensive window. PG&E says most EVs and home charging stations support programmed charging. PG&E’s scheduling guidance
- Recheck when your circumstances change. Review the tariff when your utility, residence, plan, or season changes; rates and schedules can be updated.
How to estimate the cost of a charge
A basic estimate is the energy added to the battery in kilowatt-hours multiplied by the price per kilowatt-hour that applies during charging. For example, use the applicable off-peak rate—not an average or advertised rate that does not match your plan. The Delaware DNREC home-charging guide notes that location and charging time affect cost and that an estimate needs the vehicle’s battery capacity and electricity rate. Actual bills can also reflect the broader household rate structure and plan charges. Delaware DNREC’s home-charging guide
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
ChargePoint HomeFlex Level 2 EV Fast Charger, J1772, Smart, Hardwired, 50A
- Charge with Confidence: ChargePoint builds reliable, flexible EV charging stations for home, business, and fleets. Get 24/7 support and access to hundreds of thousands of North American charging locations.
- Charge Smart: With the user-friendly ChargePoint Mobile App, you can control your electric car charger, manage reminders, connect to smart home devices, find stations, get data and charging info, and access the latest features. Note: WiFi is needed for certain functionalities and troubleshooting steps if connectivity issues arise.
- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations.
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable.
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and requires a 20A or 80A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter.
There is no supported national savings figure or universal cost-per-charge: both depend on how much energy you add and the current local rate. This method concerns home electricity tariffs; public charging prices are a separate matter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to compare before switching plans
- The lowest and highest per-kWh periods, including their hours and seasonal dates.
- Weekday, weekend, and holiday schedules.
- Whether EV enrollment, specific equipment, or a separate meter is required.
- Whether the rate applies to the whole home or only EV charging.
- Fixed or daily charges, along with the rates for other household use.
- Whether you can shift other electricity use away from higher-priced periods.
Use the full tariff terms and your likely household usage to compare plans. If you only need scheduled charging, first check whether your vehicle already has a timer; a separate programmable home charger is not automatically necessary.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Sale
EVIQO Level 2 EV Charger J1772 48A - Hardwired 240V Wall Charging Station
- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway.
- HARDWIRED - PROFESSIONAL INSTALL: This Level 2 charger is hardwired (not plug-in), so a licensed electrician installs it per National Electrical Code. It delivers up to 48A on a dedicated 60A, 240V circuit - enough to charge most EVs fully overnight. Want more speed? You can set DIP switches 4 and 5 to unlock 50A on a dedicated 70A circuit. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that your electrical panel can support the circuit.
- CONTROL FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start and stop charging, set the charging speed (6-48A), get reminders, and track how much energy and money each charge uses. Requires a 2.4 GHz home WiFi network.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
Rank #3
Sale
EVIQO Level 2 EV Charger J1772 40A NEMA 14-50 - 240V Wall Charging Station
- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car.
- PLUG IN, NO HARDWIRING: Level 2 charger delivers up to 40A to fully charge most EVs overnight. Plugs into a 240V, 4-prong NEMA 14-50 outlet (the RV/range type - NOT a dryer outlet) on a dedicated 50A circuit. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that you have the right outlet.
- CONTROL & SAVE FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start/stop charging, set speed (6-40A), get reminders, and track energy use and cost. Schedule off-peak overnight charging to cut your electric bill. Requires 2.4 GHz WiFi.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
Rank #2
Sale
ChargePoint HomeFlex Level 2 EV Charger J1772 - NEMA 14-50 Plug
- Charge with Confidence: ChargePoint builds reliable, flexible EV charging stations for home, business, and fleets. Get 24/7 support and access to hundreds of thousands of North American charging locations
- Charge Smart: With the user-friendly ChargePoint Mobile App, you can control your electric car charger, manage reminders, connect to smart home devices, find stations, get data and charging info, and access the latest features
- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and plugs into a 240V outlet with a 14-50 receptacle, requiring a 40A or 50A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
