Do you know that you can save a good amount of money while maximizing the charging efficiency of your Tesla?
Well, charging your Tesla at off-peak charging hours will save you from extra utility bills as well as boost your car’s charging efficiency due to no strain and a steady high voltage range.
Quick Glance:
- Tesla offers “Schedule Charging” and “Schedule Departure” features to encourage owners to make the most out of the Off-peak charging facility.
- Charging Tesla cars during non-peak hours helps to maximize cost savings up to 60% for Tesla owners.
- This Charging practice also lessens demand on the power grid as well as helps keep the battery’s capacity and overall health.
What Does Tesla Off Peak Charging Mean?
It means a convenient way to save money on power while also optimizing the charging procedure for your Tesla.
Tesla’s off-peak charging refers to a charging technique or practice in which you can plan your car to charge at specified times.
The time refers to when the demand for electricity and the utility bill is lower than at regular non-peak hours for you.
When it comes to Tesla’s off-peak charging hour, people often refer to the nighttime as at that hour the utility rate is lower in most states of the United States. But “Off-peak” charging hours in your state and region may vary.
How Does Tesla Off-Peak Charging Work?
Tesla electric vehicles have a Scheduled Charging feature that allows you to set a specific time for your car to start charging. You can access this option via your vehicle’s Central touchscreen display panel.
Simply go to the “Controls” > navigate and click on “Charging” > then, switch to “Scheduled Charging” and set the “off peak charging hour”.
Or access the “Climate” menu on your Tesla’s touchscreen display. Then, find the “Scheduled Departure” option and set a time when you want your car to be fully charged.
Tesla’s smart charging technology will then automatically adjust the charging rate to coincide with the scheduled off-peak hours you set.
Why Should You Use Tesla Off-Peak Charging Hours?
There are several reasons why off-peak charging Tesla can be beneficial, which are mentioned below for your convenience:
1. Cost Savings:
Charging your Tesla at Off-peak hours allows you to save up to 60% of your energy costs. This practice can reduce energy costs even in market regions where off-peak utility rates are not applicable. How?
Since the energy stability rate is mostly higher than regular time, it will instantly start charging your car as you plug into the charger or charging station. Due to less demand for utility charging will take less time and your car may fully charge much sooner than usual.
As a result, even if you are charging in an area where the off-peak rate does not apply, you can still save money by charging your car faster.
2. Reduced Power Grid Strain:
As the use of electric vehicles grows, so does the strain on the power grid. By charging during off-peak hours, Tesla owners actively contribute to grid optimization.
Charging your Tesla during off-peak hours promotes better distribution of electricity demand throughout the day and reduces the strain on the power grid.
When you shift charging to off-peak hours regularly, you assist in balancing the load and ensure a more steady and constant energy supply throughout the day. That means you are contributing to power grid optimization.
3. Convenience and Flexibility:
The off-peak charging option also gives you the flexibility and freedom of scheduling your car’s charging sessions at your convenient time.
This eliminates the need to rush to charging stations during potentially crowded rush hours or work breaks and simplifies your daily routine.
You can choose the quieter hours of the day and confirm that your Tesla is fully charged before starting your daily commute.
4. Enhanced Tesla Battery Life:
Tesla’s advanced battery technology combined with off-peak charging can significantly extend the lifespan of the internal battery pack.
When you charge a Tesla car during off-peak hours, this reduces the heat accumulation within the car’s battery. It also minimizes the wear and tear to extend the life of your car’s battery.
That is why Tesla also encourages users to schedule their charging session and departure time both during Off-Peak Hours to reduce energy consumption.
5. Environmental Sustainability:
Tesla’s commitment to environmental sustainability is evident through its Models as well as each new feature and software upgrade that Tesla comes up with. Off-peak charging Tesla further strengthens this commitment.
It encourages Tesla owners to charge their vehicles when energy demand is low to make better use of renewable energy power.
This decreases reliance on fossil fuels and helps to create a cleaner world by lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
The Cost of Charging a Tesla During Peak and Off-Peak Hours:
Based on Tesla charging rate statistics, here’s a full comparison of the cost of charging your Tesla during peak and off-peak hours:
| The Hours: (US) | Peak Hours Charging Tesla: | Off-Peak Hours Charging Tesla: |
| In the USA either (4.00 – 9.00) PM or (5.00 – 11.00) PM (depending on the particular state you’re in). | (12:00 – 6:00) AM for weekdays, but it will be (12:00 – 2:00) AM for weekends. | |
| The Hours in Other Country(s): | But for Spain, the “peak” hour is between 8.00 PM and midnight. | In Europe, Till 6 in the evening and after 10 at night. |
| Supercharger Rate: (US only) | Between $0.50 to $0.60 per kWh. (including some Tesla Superchargers) | Generally, ranges from $0.26 to $0.36 per kWh.In some states like California, the charging rate drops by more than half and turns $0.25 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). |
| Home charger Rate: (US only) | May cost more than $0.11 and mostly $0.20 up to $0.41 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). | May drop to just $0.10 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). |
| Supercharger Rate: (Australia) | As of September 2023, the charging rate is $0.54 up to $0.69 per kWh. | Owners can enjoy the latest discount rate of $0.43 to $0.48 per kWh. |
| Supercharger Rate: (France) | As of June 2023, the rate is around €0,35 per kWh. | As of June 2023, the rate is around €0,32 per kWh. |
| Free Charging: | Not available | In June 2023, Tesla introduced free charging at Supercharger between 10 PM and 8 AM from Friday to Monday in “Europe“. |
Read Also: How Often Should I Charge My Tesla To 100%?
How Do You Set Your Tesla to Charge During Off Peak Hours Only?
If you have not set your Tesla’s “Charging Schedule” yet, follow these steps to charge only during off-peak hours:
STEP_1: Either go to your car’s Central touchscreen display or launch the Tesla App on your phone.
Find the “Charge Options” or “Scheduled Departure” menu on your phone App or Central touchscreen interference and tap it> navigate to the “Scheduled Charging” section. This feature allows you to set specific charging “Start” and “Stop” times.
STEP_2: Choose the Off-Peak Hours, which involve entering the exact time when off-hours start and when they end by the day of the week.
For example, if the Off-peak hour in your region starts at 11 PM, input “11.30 PM” into the “Start” option, and if your Off-peak hour ends at 6 AM, input “5.30 AM” into the “Stop” option.
STEP_3: Once you have set your desired charging schedule, do not forget to save the changes in the charging settings menu. Check and confirm that the “Schedule Charging” and “Scheduled Departure” features are not turned off.
STEP_4: Tesla also recommends setting a limit for off-peak charging on the main charge screen. This ensures that your Tesla will only charge up to a set amount during off-peak hours.
If you need your Tesla to be completely charged before you go, set that time in the interface and change the charge cap to the highest possible during off-peak hours.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
When Is Tesla’s Off Peak Hour?
Off-peak hours in the United States are often between 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM, or overnight between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Off-peak hours in some places are between 4:00 AM and 2:30 PM. So, verify with your local Utility provider.
How do I find out when it’s “off-peak” hours in my area?
Off-peak hours can vary based on your region and energy provider. So, the best way to confirm that is by checking with your energy provider or visiting their website to find out more about off-peak hours in your area.
Can off-peak charging shorten the life of my Tesla battery?
No, off-peak charging may increase the longevity of Tesla batteries. Tesla’s off-peak charging technique reduces charging rates and exposure to heat.
Read Also: Why Is Tesla Only Charging At 16 Amps? (Explained!)
