Charging at home is already much cheaper than buying petrol, but when you charge can cut your costs again. Here is how to find your cheapest hours in 2026.
Know your tariff type
- Flat rate: the same price all day. Timing does not matter.
- Time-of-use: cheaper off-peak hours (often overnight and, increasingly, the middle of the day) and expensive evening peaks.
- EV plans: some retailers offer an extra-cheap window for EV charging, often overnight.
Your bill will tell you which you are on. Off-peak and EV rates can be a fraction of peak prices, so the difference is real.
Free midday power: the Solar Sharer
From 1 July 2026, the federal Solar Sharer Offer requires retailers to offer plans with three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day in NSW, south-east Queensland and South Australia (11am–2pm in NSW and south-east Queensland; 12pm–3pm in SA), up to a daily cap. You need a smart meter, but not solar panels, and you have to opt in through your retailer. Victoria has announced its own midday scheme. Check the details for your area, because these plans may have higher prices at other times.
If your car is home in the middle of the day, three hours of charging in that window can add a lot of range for very little.
How to compare plans
- Energy Made Easy (the government comparison site for most states)
- Victorian Energy Compare for Victoria
Look at the off-peak window, the peak rate and the daily supply charge together, not just the headline off-peak price.
Set your charger to do the work
Plug in when you get home, and let the charger wait for the cheap window. On an Evtronix charger, the clock button sets a delay before charging starts, and the T button sets how long it runs. The app can also cap a session by time or energy. Many cars have their own scheduled charging too. Use one schedule, not both, to avoid confusion.
What it is worth
Try our EV savings calculator with your own rates and driving to see what charging at home, off-peak or in a free window is worth compared with petrol. For more on costs, see What home charging actually costs and Charging your EV from your own solar.
Plan details vary by retailer and region and change often. Sources: PV Tech on the Solar Sharer Offer, Finder: can you get the Solar Sharer Offer?
Frequently asked questions
When is electricity cheapest in Australia?
It depends on your plan. On time-of-use and EV plans it is usually overnight or in the middle of the day. Where available, the Solar Sharer window is free up to a daily cap.
Do I need solar for the Solar Sharer?
No. You need a smart meter and an eligible plan from your retailer in a participating region.
Can I schedule charging without an app?
Yes. Use the charger’s delay timer, or your car’s scheduled charging setting.
Key takeaways
- Check whether you are on a flat, time-of-use or EV plan
- Free midday windows started on 1 July 2026 in NSW, south-east Queensland and SA
- Compare plans on Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare
- Use your charger’s delay timer to charge in cheap hours