You bought an EV to save money on fuel. Then you got your first electric bill and wondered what went wrong.
Here’s what the electricity industry doesn’t tell EV buyers: your car can add 300-500 kWh to your monthly bill, and the plan you’re on probably wasn’t designed for that kind of usage. Worse, many “free nights” plans that seem perfect for overnight charging are actually traps—the daytime rates are so inflated that you end up paying more than a simple flat-rate plan.
The difference between a well-matched plan and a poor one can mean $300-800 per year. That’s money that should be going toward your fuel savings, not into your electricity provider’s pocket. Here’s how to actually find a plan that works for EV charging—and avoid the ones designed to look good while extracting maximum value from your new car.
How Much Electricity Does an EV Actually Use?
Before shopping for plans, you need to understand what you’re adding to your bill.
The Basic Math
Most electric vehicles consume 3-4 kWh per mile driven. If you drive 1,000 miles per month (about average for Texas drivers), that’s 300-400 kWh of additional electricity usage.
Here’s how it breaks down by vehicle type:
Smaller EVs (Tesla Model 3, Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq)
- Efficiency: 3-3.5 kWh per mile
- 1,000 miles/month = 300-350 kWh
- At 12 cents/kWh = $36-42/month
Larger EVs and SUVs (Tesla Model X, Rivian R1S, Ford F-150 Lightning)
- Efficiency: 4-5 kWh per mile
- 1,000 miles/month = 400-500 kWh
- At 12 cents/kWh = $48-60/month
High-mileage drivers (1,500+ miles/month)
- Add 50% to the above numbers
- Could reach 500-750 kWh monthly
Real Impact on Your Bill
For context, the average Texas home uses about 1,132 kWh per month. Adding an EV increases that by 25-45%, pushing many households from “average” usage (1,000-1,400 kWh) into “high usage” territory (1,400-2,000 kWh).
This usage bump changes which electricity plans make sense. Plans optimized for 1,000 kWh users often aren’t the best choice for 1,500 kWh users. The plan that was perfect before you bought your EV might not be the right fit now.
Plan Types That Work for EV Owners
Texas has several plan structures that can benefit EV owners, each with different tradeoffs.
Free Nights Plans
How they work: You pay a higher rate during daytime hours (typically 6 AM to 9 PM), but electricity is free from 9 PM to 6 AM.
Why they work for EVs: Most EV owners charge overnight. If you can plug in after 9 PM and your car finishes charging before 6 AM, those 300-500 kWh of monthly EV charging cost you nothing.
The math: Say your daytime rate is 15 cents/kWh and you use 1,000 kWh during the day. That’s $150 for household use. Your EV adds 400 kWh at night—free. Total bill: $150 instead of $198 on a flat 12-cent plan.
The catch: Your daytime rate subsidizes those free night hours. If you work from home, run AC during the day, or have high daytime usage, a free nights plan can actually cost more than a standard fixed-rate plan.
Best for: EV owners who work outside the home, have disciplined charging habits, and can shift other high-draw activities (laundry, dishwasher) to nighttime.
Time-of-Use (TOU) Plans
How they work: Different rates apply during different times. Typically: lowest rates overnight (off-peak), higher rates during the day (mid-peak), and highest rates during late afternoon/evening (on-peak).
Sample TOU structure:
- Off-peak (9 PM - 6 AM): 8 cents/kWh
- Mid-peak (6 AM - 3 PM, 7 PM - 9 PM): 12 cents/kWh
- On-peak (3 PM - 7 PM): 20 cents/kWh
Why they work for EVs: The off-peak rate is often 30-50% lower than flat-rate plans. Charging during off-peak hours—which lines up perfectly with overnight charging—means significant savings.
The math: 400 kWh of EV charging at 8 cents = $32/month. Same charging on a 12-cent flat rate = $48/month. That’s $192/year in savings on EV charging alone.
The catch: On-peak rates are punishing. If you run AC, cook dinner, or do laundry during peak hours (3-7 PM), those activities cost significantly more than a flat-rate plan.
Best for: EV owners who can schedule charging for overnight, avoid heavy electricity use during peak hours, and want the flexibility of cheap daytime rates for weekend charging.
High-Usage Flat-Rate Plans
How they work: A standard fixed rate, but the plan is priced to be competitive at higher usage levels (1,500+ kWh). Some include usage credits that kick in at certain thresholds.
Why they work for EVs: Adding an EV pushes you into higher usage tiers. Plans optimized for 2,000 kWh usage often have lower per-kWh rates than plans optimized for 1,000 kWh. You stop paying the “low usage penalty” that some plans include.
The math: A plan at 10.5 cents/kWh for 2,000 kWh usage vs. a plan at 12 cents/kWh for 1,000 kWh usage. At 1,500 kWh total (1,100 home + 400 EV), you’d pay $157.50 vs. $180. That’s $270/year in savings.
The catch: These plans assume consistent high usage. If your EV is your only high-draw addition and you have a mild winter, you might not hit the usage levels where these plans shine.
Best for: EV owners who already have above-average usage (large homes, pools, home offices) and want simplicity without managing charging schedules.
Level 2 Charger Considerations
Most EV owners start with the Level 1 charger that comes with their vehicle—a standard 120V outlet that adds 3-5 miles of range per hour. That’s fine for plug-in hybrids or short commutes, but most full EV owners eventually want a Level 2 charger.
Level 1 vs. Level 2
Level 1 (120V, standard outlet)
- Adds 3-5 miles of range per hour
- Full charge of a depleted battery: 40-60 hours
- No installation cost if you have an outdoor outlet
- Works fine if you drive under 30 miles/day
Level 2 (240V, like a dryer outlet)
- Adds 25-35 miles of range per hour
- Full charge of a depleted battery: 6-10 hours
- Installation cost: $500-2,000 depending on your electrical setup
- Necessary if you drive 50+ miles/day or need to top up quickly
Why Level 2 Matters for Your Electricity Plan
Level 2 chargers give you more control over when you charge. A Level 1 charger might need to run for 20+ hours to fully charge—that bleeds into daytime hours even if you start at night.
A Level 2 charger can fully charge most EVs in 6-8 hours. Plug in at 9 PM, you’re done by 3-5 AM. Every kWh stays in that free/cheap overnight window.
For free nights plans: Level 2 is almost essential. Without it, you can’t guarantee all your charging happens during free hours.
For time-of-use plans: Level 2 gives you flexibility. Charge overnight for the cheapest rate, or grab a quick top-up during mid-peak hours when needed.
Smart Charger Features
Most Level 2 chargers and many EVs themselves let you schedule charging. You can plug in when you get home but set charging to start at 9 PM automatically. This automation makes free nights and TOU plans much more practical.
Some chargers integrate with your electricity provider to automatically charge during the cheapest hours. If your TOU rates shift seasonally, a smart charger adjusts without you having to reprogram it.
Calculating Your Increased Electricity Needs
Before switching plans, get realistic about your post-EV usage.
Step 1: Know Your Current Usage
Pull your last 12 months of electricity bills. Calculate your average monthly usage. Note your peak summer months—that’s your highest usage baseline.
Step 2: Estimate Your EV Addition
Drive 500 miles/month: Add 150-200 kWh Drive 1,000 miles/month: Add 300-400 kWh Drive 1,500 miles/month: Add 450-600 kWh
For a new EV, start with your expected annual mileage divided by 12, then multiply by 3.5 kWh per mile for a conservative estimate.
Step 3: Calculate Your New Total
Add your estimated EV usage to your baseline. If you currently use 1,100 kWh and expect 400 kWh for your EV, plan for 1,500 kWh monthly.
Step 4: Test Your Usage Split
For free nights or TOU plans, you need to know when you use electricity—not just how much.
Rough estimates:
- Daytime usage (6 AM - 9 PM): 60-70% for most households
- Overnight usage (9 PM - 6 AM): 30-40% for most households
- EV charging: 100% overnight if you have Level 2 and discipline
If you work from home, your daytime percentage is higher. If you’re rarely home during the day, it’s lower.
Step 5: Run the Numbers
Compare three scenarios:
Flat-rate plan: (Total kWh) x (rate) = monthly cost
Free nights plan: (Daytime kWh) x (daytime rate) + (Night kWh including EV) x ($0) = monthly cost
TOU plan: (Off-peak kWh) x (off-peak rate) + (Mid-peak kWh) x (mid-peak rate) + (On-peak kWh) x (on-peak rate) = monthly cost
Run these for your highest-usage month (August) and a mild month (April). The plan that wins both scenarios is probably your best bet.
Common Mistakes EV Owners Make (And How Providers Exploit Them)
Mistake 1: Sticking With Their Pre-EV Plan
This is exactly what your electricity provider wants. Your old plan was optimized for your old usage—and probably includes tiered pricing or bill credits that worked at 1,100 kWh but fall apart at 1,500 kWh. Adding 300-500 kWh per month changes the equation completely, but providers won’t reach out to suggest you switch to a better plan. Why would they? Your confusion is profitable.
Mistake 2: Chasing “Free” Without Doing the Math
“Free nights” is one of the most effective marketing tricks in Texas electricity. The word “free” is irresistible—but providers don’t give away electricity out of generosity.
Free nights plans are only free for night usage. The daytime rate subsidizes those “free” hours, often at 15-18 cents per kWh when a flat-rate plan might be 11 cents. If you work from home, run AC during the day, or have any significant daytime usage, you could pay more than a simple fixed-rate plan.
Quick test: If your overnight usage (including EV) is less than 40% of your total, free nights plans probably aren’t worth it.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Charging Needs
New EV owners often underestimate how much they’ll drive. That 35-mile daily commute turns into errands, weekend trips, and “might as well drive, it’s so cheap.” Build in a 20-30% buffer when estimating EV electricity needs.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Level 2 Charger Benefits
A $1,000-2,000 Level 2 charger installation pays for itself if it enables a better electricity plan. The savings from a free nights plan (where all EV charging is free) vs. a flat-rate plan can be $500-800 per year. The charger pays for itself in 1-3 years.
Mistake 5: Not Scheduling Charging
Even without a free nights plan, charging overnight is typically cheaper and puts less strain on the grid. Most TOU plans reward overnight charging. Even flat-rate plans benefit from overnight charging because you avoid contributing to peak demand.
Which Plan Structure Is Right for You?
Choose Free Nights If:
- You can charge your EV entirely between 9 PM and 6 AM
- You have a Level 2 charger (or drive under 30 miles daily)
- Your household has low daytime usage (no one home 9 AM - 5 PM)
- You can shift laundry, dishwasher, and other flexible loads to nighttime
Choose Time-of-Use If:
- You want flexibility (sometimes charge during the day)
- You can avoid on-peak hours (3-7 PM) for heavy usage
- You work a traditional schedule and aren’t home during peak
- You like the idea of cheaper daytime rates when you need them
Choose a High-Usage Flat-Rate If:
- You have unpredictable schedules
- You work from home with significant daytime usage
- You value simplicity over optimization
- Your total usage (home + EV) exceeds 1,800 kWh monthly
What About Solar?
If you have rooftop solar, the calculation changes again. During the day, your solar panels offset your usage—potentially even generating credits. Adding EV charging can absorb excess solar production instead of sending it back to the grid.
For solar homes, a flat-rate plan with a good solar buyback rate often makes more sense than free nights or TOU plans. Your solar covers daytime usage, and your buyback credits offset nighttime EV charging.
That’s a bigger topic, but worth mentioning: if you’re considering both an EV and solar, plan your electricity strategy holistically.
The Bottom Line
Adding an EV to your household isn’t just about the car—it’s about rethinking your electricity plan. The extra 300-500 kWh per month changes which plans make sense, and the right choice can save you $300-800 annually compared to a poorly matched plan.
For most Texas EV owners, the decision comes down to:
- Can you charge 100% overnight? Free nights plans can cut your EV electricity costs to zero.
- Can you avoid peak hours? TOU plans offer cheap overnight rates with daytime flexibility.
- Do you want simplicity? High-usage flat-rate plans work without schedule management.
Whatever you choose, don’t ignore this decision. Your electricity plan is now a significant part of your EV’s “fuel” cost.
Ready to find the right plan for your EV? Compare plans on ComparePower to see which providers offer free nights, time-of-use, and high-usage plans in your area.
Want to learn more about specific providers?
- TXU Energy Provider Profile - Offers free nights plans
- Rhythm Energy Provider Profile - Known for straightforward pricing
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