Owning an electric vehicle in Ireland changes the economics of your electricity tariff significantly. Where the average household uses around 4,200 kWh per year, adding an EV typically adds another 2,000–4,000 kWh annually depending on how much you drive. That extra consumption makes your choice of tariff matter more — and makes a night-rate deal substantially more valuable than it would be for a non-EV household.
Why EV Owners Need a Different Tariff Strategy
Most Irish households charge overnight. ESB Networks smart chargers, home wall boxes, and even a standard 13A socket all work while you sleep. This aligns perfectly with time-of-use (TOU) tariffs that offer cheaper electricity during night hours — typically between 11pm and 8am or 11pm and 9am depending on the supplier.
Example saving for an EV owner on a night-rate tariff:
A car driving 15,000 km per year at 20 kWh/100 km consumes around 3,000 kWh for charging. At a standard unit rate of 40c/kWh that costs €1,200 per year. At a night rate of 22c/kWh, it costs €660 — a saving of €540 per year on charging alone, before any saving on your household electricity.
Do You Need a Smart Meter?
Yes. Night-rate and time-of-use tariffs in Ireland require an ESB Networks smart meter. Smart meters measure your consumption in 30-minute intervals, which allows suppliers to bill you at the correct rate depending on when you use electricity.
If you do not have a smart meter yet, applying is free and takes a few weeks. Given the potential saving for EV owners, it is almost always worth doing.
Best Tariff Types for EV Owners
Night-Rate Tariffs
A night-rate tariff splits your electricity into two rates:
- Day rate: standard unit rate (typically 38–45c/kWh in 2026)
- Night rate: reduced unit rate (typically 20–26c/kWh in 2026)
The night rate applies for 9–10 hours overnight. Most EV owners set their car or charger to begin charging at 11pm and stop before the window closes at 8am. A full charge for a 60 kWh battery (from near-empty) at 22c/kWh costs around €13 — versus €25+ at peak-day rates.
Suppliers currently offering night-rate tariffs: Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity, Bord Gáis Energy, Energia. Use GoSwitch's EV optimizer to calculate your specific annual saving.
Time-of-Use (TOU) Tariffs
Some suppliers offer more granular TOU tariffs with peak, off-peak, and overnight pricing. These can be more complex to manage but may offer deeper savings if you can shift more of your daytime usage to off-peak windows.
TOU tariffs are most valuable if:
- You work from home and can run appliances during off-peak hours
- You have a heat pump or immersion heater on a timer
- You charge both a car and use heavy appliances (dishwasher, washing machine) overnight
Standard Tariffs — When They Still Win
Not every EV owner benefits from a night-rate deal. If your household:
- Uses significant electricity during the day (work-from-home, home office, always-on equipment)
- Only drives a short distance annually (under 8,000 km)
- Cannot easily shift charging to overnight hours
…then the higher day rate on a TOU tariff may cancel out the overnight saving. In some cases, the cheapest flat-rate tariff with a deep new customer discount beats a night-rate deal overall.
How to Find the Right Tariff for Your Usage
The correct answer depends on three variables:
- Your total household kWh (including EV charging)
- What proportion of your usage happens overnight
- The current unit rates and discounts each supplier is offering
The most accurate way to check is to use your ESB Networks smart meter data:
If you do not yet have smart meter data, use the EV Charging Optimizer which calculates your estimated annual saving on night-rate tariffs based on your annual mileage and car efficiency.
Practical Tips for EV Owners on a Night-Rate Tariff
Set a charging schedule on your car or charger. Every major EV brand (Tesla, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan, Renault) lets you set a start time in the car or app. Set it to 11:00pm so charging never starts before the night rate begins.
Check when the night window closes. Some suppliers end the night rate at 8am, others at 9am. If your car charges slowly (standard 13A socket), make sure it finishes before the window closes.
Run other appliances at night too. Dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, and immersion heater on a timer all benefit from the reduced night rate. An EV household that fully adopts overnight scheduling can save €600–€900 per year compared to a flat-rate standard tariff.
Review your tariff every 12 months. Night-rate discounts for new customers expire after 12 months. The saving from switching supplier again — even for EV owners on a night rate — can be €200–€400 per year.
Current Cheapest Tariff for EV Owners
Use the GoSwitch comparison tool with a higher kWh figure (your household usage plus estimated EV charging kWh) to see the cheapest overall deal today. If you have a smart meter, upload your CSV for the most accurate comparison.
A typical EV household uses 6,000–8,000 kWh per year. Adjusting the kWh input on GoSwitch to your actual figure gives a more accurate annual cost ranking across all suppliers and tariff types.