Electric car charging: Midday is often cheaper than night

The common advice to charge electric cars overnight for lower electricity prices is becoming outdated, particularly in southern Sweden. Recent data shows that charging during midday is frequently half the price, a trend largely influenced by the surge in solar power generation across Europe.

As solar energy production peaks during daylight hours, especially in countries like Germany, it drives down electricity prices across the continent. This effect is most pronounced in Sweden's southern electricity zones (3 and 4), where midday prices can be significantly lower than nighttime rates, according to the Nord Pool electricity exchange. The situation is exacerbated by the current energy crisis and high general electricity costs.

Electric vehicle owners using smart-charging services are adapting to these new patterns. One provider, Tibber, reported a substantial increase in daytime charging among its Swedish users, rising from approximately 14% in February to around 39% in July. Conversely, evening charging has decreased from about 73% to 44% during the same period. This shift reflects a growing awareness and utilization of cheaper daytime electricity.

However, factors like network fees and power charges can still influence the overall cost-effectiveness of charging at different times. The trend is less pronounced in northern Sweden (zones 1 and 2), where nighttime prices remain slightly lower, though the difference is often negligible. Additionally, the practicality of charging during the day depends on the vehicle's usage schedule.

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Among Tibber customers in Sweden who use smart charging, the share of charging that occurs during the day (09:00–17:00) has increased from about 14 percent in February to around 39 percent in July. At the same time, the share of charging that occurs in the evening has decreased from approximately 73 to 44 percent.