AGL's EV Plan: Should You Charge Your EV Overnight?
AGL's Night Saver EV plan sells one thing: cheap power in the middle of the night. Whether that suits you depends on when you actually drive and what the plan charges for the other eighteen hours. Our Complete Guide covers sizing solar, storage and EV charging together.
The Allure of Off-Peak Rates:
The rate is around 8c/kWh between 12 AM and 6 AM. Standard rates run several times that, so an overnight charge costs a fraction of a daytime one. AGL quotes its savings against a Tesla Model 3 or Y RWD, but the rate applies whatever you drive.
How Does the AGL Night Saver EV Plan Work?
- Digital Meter: You need a smart meter so AGL can see what you used and when. Upgrading is usually free, but your local distributor may change your network tariff at the same time, which moves your rates outside the discount window. Ask before you agree.
- EV Ownership: Restricted to EV owners: you own one, hold an AGL EV subscription, or have one registered to a business tied to the household.
- Plan Structure: Works on a single rate or a Time of Use tariff. On single rate you get the night saver window plus one general rate the rest of the time. On TOU your existing windows stay, with the 12AM-6AM rate layered over them.
- No Special Charger Required: A dedicated EV Charger is not required. Your existing setup will do.
Potential Benefits of Overnight Charging:
- Cost Savings: At 8c/kWh your cost per kilometre drops well below petrol, and below what most people pay charging during the day.
- Convenience: Plug in at night, wake up full. No detours to a public charger.
- Grid Stability: Charging overnight moves load away from the evening peak, which is when the grid is under the most strain.
Things to Consider:
- Off-Peak Window: Six hours, starting at midnight. If you cover long distances and need a daytime top-up, much of the value disappears.
- Electricity Usage Habits: Check the rates outside the window. A cheap six hours can be funded by dearer rates across the rest of the day, and for a low-usage household that maths does not always work.
- Variable Rates: The Night Saver EV rate is variable. AGL can change it with written notice.
- Solar Considerations: With solar panels the calculation changes completely. AGL's feed-in tariff can move on five business days' written notice, and if you export a lot, charging the car off your own midday generation usually beats buying power at any overnight rate.
Essential Gear for New EV Owners
If you're moving to an overnight plan, a few things make the home setup tidier:
- Cable Management: Heavy-Duty J-Hook for Electric Vehicle Charging Cable Management - Keep your charging cable off the garage floor.
- Public Charging: Type 2 to Type 2 EV Charging Cable 22kW 32A. Compatible with All IEC 62196-2 EVs & PHEVs. - Essential for many public AC charging stations in Australia.
- Maintenance: 6 inch x 100ft Solar Panel Bird Guard Mesh - Protect your investment from nesting birds.
The Verdict:
If your car sits in the garage overnight and you have no solar, the Night Saver EV plan is a straightforward win. If you have panels, run the numbers against charging off your own generation first, because the answer is often that you already have cheaper electricity than AGL is offering. The Complete Guide walks through that comparison.
