Cheapest time to charge an electric car tonight
The best 4 hours before 8am on Octopus Agile, for a 7 kW home charger in East Midlands.
The short answer
The cheapest 4 hours to charge an electric car tonight in East Midlands are 02:30 to 06:30, averaging 22.01p per kWh on Octopus Agile. 28 kWh, about 98 miles, would cost £6.16, against £7.10 at the price cap rate.
Tonight in every region
cheapest 4 hours before 8am, cost of 28 kWh
| Region | Best 4 hours | Average | 28 kWh on Agile | At the cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern England | 02:30–06:30 | 23.28p | £6.52 | £7.45 |
| East Midlands | 02:30–06:30 | 22.01p | £6.16 | £7.10 |
| London | 02:30–06:30 | 22.01p | £6.16 | £7.45 |
| Merseyside and North Wales | 02:30–06:30 | 24.55p | £6.87 | £7.80 |
| West Midlands | 02:30–06:30 | 23.28p | £6.52 | £7.17 |
| North East England | 02:30–06:30 | 23.28p | £6.52 | £7.13 |
| North West England | 02:30–06:30 | 23.28p | £6.52 | £7.42 |
| Southern England | 02:30–06:30 | 23.28p | £6.52 | £7.41 |
| South East England | 02:30–06:30 | 24.55p | £6.87 | £7.53 |
| South Wales | 02:30–06:30 | 24.55p | £6.87 | £7.44 |
| South West England | 02:30–06:30 | 25.81p | £7.23 | £7.44 |
| Yorkshire | 02:30–06:30 | 22.01p | £6.16 | £7.17 |
| South Scotland | 02:30–06:30 | 23.28p | £6.52 | £7.31 |
| North Scotland | 02:30–06:30 | 27.08p | £7.58 | £7.38 |
Prices from Octopus Energy's public API (AGILE-24-10-01), including VAT. Electricity VAT is 0% from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Checked 02:48. UK Electricity is independent and not affiliated with Octopus Energy.
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Getting the most from a cheap night
- Charge in one block. A schedule for the window above avoids the 4pm to 7pm peak, the dearest time of day on Agile.
- Watch for negative prices. On windy nights Agile can go below zero, so you are paid to charge. See negative prices.
- Plan the week. Our 7-day forecast shows which nights look cheapest, so you can skip a dear night and top up on a cheap one.
- Slower chargers. A 3-pin plug adds about 2.3 kWh an hour, so the same miles take around 12 hours: use the cheapest times page and pick the longest cheap stretch.
Common questions
What is the cheapest time to charge an electric car at home?
On Octopus Agile it is usually between about midnight and 6am, when demand is lowest, and on windy nights it can be much cheaper than that or even below zero. The exact best hours change every night; this page finds them from the real half-hourly prices.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car overnight?
A 7 kW home charger adds about 7 kWh an hour, so 4 hours adds around 28 kWh, roughly 98 miles for a typical car. On Agile that usually costs a few pounds in the cheapest window; at the price cap rate it costs several times more. The table shows tonight's cost in every region.
Is Agile or Intelligent Octopus Go better for an electric car?
Intelligent Octopus Go gives a fixed low rate from 23:30 to 05:30 and can schedule your car for you, which is simpler and often cheaper for big mileage. Agile can beat it on windy nights and pays you during negative prices, but it is dearer in the evening peak, so it suits households that can avoid 4pm to 7pm.
Can I set my car to charge at the cheapest time automatically?
Yes. Most smart chargers and many cars can follow Agile prices directly or through apps and home automation, such as Home Assistant. Otherwise, set a charging schedule for the window shown here.
What if tonight's prices are not out yet?
Octopus publishes prices up to 11pm today in the afternoon, and the overnight prices for tomorrow at about 4pm. Before 4pm the window shown is the best so far; check back after 4pm for the full night.