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Best Electricity Plan for new EV Owners

  • 09-01-2022 11:41am
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 564 ✭✭✭Pivot Eoin


    MODs: Feel free to add somewhere else but I couldn't find most relevant info I need on the charging thread.

    Having got an IONIQ 5 this week, I've been trying to shop around and get the best standard rate per KW I can find.

    The best I've been able to find is 18.2c per KW with Electric Ireland but I regularly see here that people say they have 13cish rate.

    Im trying to get lowest standard 24h rate as opposed to a day/night rate as I don't think I'll be charging up enough to justify a day night rate with much higher daytime/peak rates.

    Thought a 2022 thread considering there's probably many boardsies with new EVs shopping around now for the best deal that we could share the info here rather than seeing little bits sporadically on threads about individual EV types etc.

    Thanks.

    Post edited by liamog on


«134567104

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    There are so many variables a thread of prices doesnt have much use really and the rates are continuously changing also so its out of date as soon as you post it.

    There are price comparison sites (bonkers, switcher etc) dedicated to finding the cheapest option for you based on your situation.... 24hr, day/night, smart meter, urban, rural, low usage, high usage, solar, cashback offers, etc etc.

    The best advice is to get out your last 12 months worth of bills and plug the values into the price comparison sites and see what plans come out on top of the list, as they take all the above variables into account.



  • Registered Users Posts: 564 ✭✭✭Pivot Eoin


    Thanks, I've already done this yeah but didn't see anything near what some people here are reporting they're paying.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross



    Im trying to get lowest standard 24h rate as opposed to a day/night rate as I don't think I'll be charging up enough to justify a day night rate with much higher daytime/peak rates.

    Have you worked out the math on that? How many km's per year will you likely do in the Ioniq? Will it be nearly all home charging?

    If you are doing all your charging at home and you do any reasonable amount of km's it will pay to have a day/night rate. The increased day rate is 1.8c and your night rate is halved! The standing charge is also ~€50 more with day/night but if you work it out it still pays for itself once you have an EV and do reasonable mileage.

    Here's one example.

    15k km's per yer (thats fairly average)

    Ballpark figure for EV to do that is 18kWh/100km. All depends on driving style etc but in or around that.

    So, thats 2700kWh's to charge the EV for the year at home.

    Lets say you are a standard enough household using 4000kWh already.


    Energia 24hr rate for urban customer = 18.82c/kWh inc vat

    Standing charge = €304.86


    Energia day/night rate = 20.63/9.90c/kWh

    Standing charge = €367.21


    Calculations:

    24hr rate: €508.14 (EV) + €752.80(4000kWh) + €304.86(standing charge) = €1565.80

    Day/Night: €267.30(EV) + €825.20(4000kWh) +€367.21(standing charge) = €1459.71


    Day/Night is €106.09 cheaper for this basic example.

    In reality its cheaper than that as some of the 4000kWh will also be at night rate and you can also shift a few appliances (dishwasher, washing machine etc) to night rate further increasing your savings.

    If you do more than 15k km's per year then the savings will grow even further.

    TLDR; Unless you do very small mileage it pays to have day/night rate once you have an EV.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Prices have sky rocketed in the last few months. 14c/kWh was common enough 12 months ago. I'd say most people are paying alot more than that now. Whatever the price comparison site gives you is what you will be paying, regardless of what anyone here tells you they are paying.

    I'm paying 17.62/8.71 myself now. Most providers are in or around those rates now.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,898 ✭✭✭zg3409


    Check your meter type. If it has a digital display it may have multiple readings for night rate even if you are on a 24 hour rate. If you hit the buttons you get day, night and total which is a combination of two. You can also switch to a might meter, and after a year switch back if it makes no financial sense. They leave the same meter when you switch back. Avoid smart meters as typically the prices are higher at the moment.



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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,216 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Energia EV plan, end of



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,226 ✭✭✭pad199207


    But electric Ireland plan is cheaper ? 🤷‍♂️



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,216 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Night rate much cheaper with Energia for us, we use megawatt a month with two EVs so that would have Energia over €600 cheaper (€300 cheaper after EI €300 "allowance")



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 701 ✭✭✭Sam the Sham


    The Energia EV rates are lower at night by 3.2 cents than the cheapest non-EV-branded plan and I could see how that would be the best deal for someone with two EVs.

    But for someone with a single EV, I'm not so sure since the day rates on the EV plan are 3.15 cents higher than Energia's Dual Fuel (-40% + -39%) plan. It really depends on your usage pattern.

    We're currently on Energia's 40/39 Dual Fuel plan. We only just got our car, so I'd like to see how charging it at night affects the proportion of our usage that is at night. Currently about 30% of our total kWh per month are on the night rate (we try to run the washer and/or tumble dryer and the dishwasher at night).



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,216 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    All depends, I produce around 5.5mW of electricity a year so “higher” day rate less of an issue for me



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭ec_pc


    I am on the Energia day night meter with the 40% discount and will be moving to ESB next week as my year long contract with Energia is up. ESB currently looking very attractive from a day/night meter perspective, 40 euro less on annual standing charge and no limit on unit consumption. Energia apply lower price unit limits to their customers before moving you to a higher tarriff. ESB coming in at 18.9 day, 9.3 night including VAT, we are rural.

    For what it's worth, the meter reading submission and billing process with Energia is a complete mess. I enter meter readings very 2 months and these are rarely reflected in the bill, so it's one to keep an eye on. Last bill was almost 50% less than it should have been as they ignored my meter reading submission and just used an estimated value.

    Currently our annual consumption is 60% night rate, 40% day.


    Finally, if moving provider, call the provider and do it over the phone. ESB said it only takes 1-2 days if done over phone but can take up to 5 if done online.



  • Registered Users Posts: 564 ✭✭✭Pivot Eoin


    Do you have a link to that ESB (Electric Ireland) Plan? Does that plan also have a separate peak rate?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 701 ✭✭✭Sam the Sham


    ESB are just a network operator now. I think the OP means Electric Ireland. Appears to be the first plan listed here: https://www.electricireland.ie/switch/new-customer/price-plans?priceType=E



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,232 ✭✭✭crisco10


    Have a 24 hour meter, currently in contract with Flogas. But am getting screwed by their multiple price increases. So much so, it looks to make sense to pay the termination fee and get out 3 months early.

    Would like to convert to Day/Night meter at same time, has anyone done this? Can I sign up to Day Night rate at same time I change provider and get new meter? or is that one too many steps at the same time...


    Thanks



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭ec_pc


    I changed from Smart meter to Day night meter last year and moved supplier from Electric Ireland to Energia the following week. Not a good experience as the combination of a new meter and changing provider ended up with a massive bill from Elec Ireland due to a mixup in meter readings. However I think this is the right way to do it, meter first then change provider, just make sure all the meter readings are correct as the new meter will obviously start @ 0



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    For what it's worth, the meter reading submission and billing process with Energia is a complete mess. I enter meter readings very 2 months and these are rarely reflected in the bill,

    Put your meter readings in directly via ESB Networks rather than your provider. That should solve that

    https://www.esbnetworks.ie/submit-a-meter-reading



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,400 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    Energia are giving €135 in Cash Back to renew by the the looks of Bonkers.


    I used 5000 units last year with about 35% at night rate. So if I used the same again this year I'd be €20 better off staying with Energia.

    I'll move to Electric Ireland though as I expect I'll be charging at home more this year as my free €600 charging credit I got with the ID3 is almost gone so my usage will increase. I'll also try get the wife to move the washing machine and dishwasher to night time again but I was told it's to loud before!!



  • Registered Users Posts: 195 ✭✭harderthanf


    They took out the smart meter? I didn't think this was possible. Great if it is. Does anyone know if it's still impossible to go back from a Day/night meter once you've moved?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    I can do better than 18c!

    Bord Gais: https://www.bordgaisenergy.ie/home/our-tariffs

    Go to the "Residential Electricity" section and select whatever type of customer you are (Urban/Rural etc) and select the max discount (40%) and you will get, for example, a 16.08c/kWh (inc vat) urban 24hr rate.

    Switch to a day/night rate and you get 17.29/8.56 for day/night resp.


    once the smart meter is in, I’ll be looking for the best rate to switch to.

    Unless you want to pay more, dont get the smart meter. Just call your provider and tell them you want a day/night rate right now and tell them you dont want a smart meter. They cannot force it on you but if you let them put it in you are stuck with it and if you select a smart tariff you cannot (apparently) go back to a day/night tariff... they will lock you into the smart tariffs which are alot more expensive (the plan you mentioned was at 28.65c, thats 11c/unit more than what I've shown above!!!!)



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    Spoke to Bord Gais. That tariff was not available when I last changed supplier. Their smart meter tariff is worse than Electric Ireland but a smart meter has benefits for us as we have relatives around the world and travelled a great deal (pre Covid) and will do so again and were not around to read the meter when the time came to submit a reading. ESB Networks only read 2 or 3 times a year. As we were often away for up to 8 weeks at a time, estimated bills meant money was taken from the bank whilst we were away for electricity we hadn't used and getting it back was difficult.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭Fantana2


    I had mine taken out too. My smart meter was only in place about a month so maybe they hadn’t made up the rule to not allow day/night meters at that stage. Changed it April 2021

    6.96kwp South facing



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Their smart meter tariff is worse than Electric Ireland but a smart meter has benefits for us as we have relatives around the world and travelled a great deal (pre Covid) and will do so again and were not around to read the meter when the time came to submit a reading

    What Im saying is you should forget smart tariffs... they are all bad value relative to standard tariffs. Stick with normal 24hr or day/night tarffs. Whatever perceived gain you see from having a smart tariff its going to cost you from your back pocket... the figures i've given you above are proof of that.

    ESB Networks only read 2 or 3 times a year. As we were often away for up to 8 weeks at a time, estimated bills meant money was taken from the bank whilst we were away for electricity we hadn't used and getting it back was difficult.

    If the estimate was too high in one 2 month period it would be automatically rectified in the following 2 month period when they read the meter. You dont get charged for energy you dont use and have to go through a process of refunds... thats not how the meter reading works. Its a running total so if they "overcharge" you this month they will "undercharge" you next month.... the end result is you only ever pay for what you actually use.

    If you still see that as an issue and dont want to be overpaying you could simply go on a level pay plan where you pay €x every month and then pay a balancing amount at the end of the year. Or you can submit your own readings every 2 months.... even when you are away for 8 weeks you can still submit a meter reading.

    Basically, getting a smart meter in to "solve" that problem is the wrong way to look at it if you have any interest in keeping your energy costs down. The smart meter and associated tariffs are really bad value right now. Be careful what you wish for, if you let them put in that meter.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 701 ✭✭✭Sam the Sham


    I know from having looked at them that the smart meter tariffs are all bad value.

    But why is this the case? Why should having a smart meter mean paying over the odds for energy? Especially since, presumably, the gov't would like everyone to be on these meters. Surely they should have comparable tariffs.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭timsey tiger


    I guess what KCross is saying here is true, but be careful. There is an option on these sites something like "only show deals ****.ie can switch me to today", be sure to click no (the default is yes) to this as you'll be missing out on plans that require you to go directly to the provider.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭timsey tiger


    Lots of you are saying that the smart meter costs more. How does this work? I input details for an urban house with 40,000kwh and got the same deal bord gais deal with a smart meter as without one, same standing charge too?

    day €17.30

    night €8.56

    standing charge €299.54

    BTW the top plan they can switch you today on is over €400 p.a. dearer based on the 40,000kwh. It seems lacking that they don't give the option for how many kwh are at the night time rate.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,400 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    The peak rates on a smart meter are extortionate and the day rate is similar to a normal day rate. The night unit is about 1-2c cheaper.



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    Thanks for the advice but as a retired CEO of a company that operated worldwide and with decades in senior management prior to, cost is not the only influence when deciding on a supplier- of anything. Like it or not, smart meters are going to be the only meters by 2030.

    There is no way I want to pay for a couple of months’ electricity I haven’t had on the basis the following bill will be adjusted. Given our normal lifestyle, we could well be away for a period in the following two months.

    Level payments are a fool’s exercise for those who are both capable and economically able to pay on receipt of a bill. Relatives have in the past been either heavily in credit or been harassed to up their payment if for two winter bills on the run they have used more electricity than budgeted for, even with the summer months and less usage coming.

    In our circumstances level payments would be a ridiculous expenditure leading to massive credit which, experience shows, suppliers would rather sit on than pay back in cash.

    As it goes, and based on relatives’ experiences in the UK, smart meters give accurate bills and can help budget. They will be mandatory sooner rather than later and, in the interim, there will be a turnaround where customers who have meters that need to be manually read will see a premium added to their bills either by way of an increase in standing charge or an increase in the unit charge. That’s the way of the world. New technology costs more to begin with but there comes a tipping point where things switch and the old technology becomes the cheaper option.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,226 ✭✭✭pad199207


    So Bord Gais or Electric Ireland ?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭ec_pc


    Based on Kcross post earlier, I checked prices again and for Rural day night meter, Bord Gas seems cheaper per unit considering the 40% discount rate (Elec Ireland : 19.8 inc vat,. Board Gas are 17.62 inc VAT). Standing charge for Bord Gas about 17 euro higher per annum.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 648 ✭✭✭MakersMark


    Before Xmas, I switched from Electric Ireland to Boed Gais Best Electric, and got 16c per kWh for next 12 months (inclusive of VAT).

    Standing charge remained the same.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭ec_pc


    What plan is that? I thought there was no such thing as a locked in rate anymore, all plans are variable?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Go for it. I’m not trying to ram anything down your throat. Just want to ensure that you are going in with your eyes open. Your bills will be higher on a smart tariff vs a day/night tariff… that’s a fact.

    the electricity you get will be the same, it’s not like it provides better quality electricity

    I get your dislike of level pay. I just threw it out as an option along with submitting your own readings

    smart meters are a good idea but they are bad value right now the way it’s implemented in Ireland. Comparing to uk is not an apples to apples comparison. Our regulator has made a balls of it


    In a few years they might become more competitive but I don’t know why you’d sign up to higher bills now on a future promise of lower bills at some indeterminate year from now, but it is your choice.


    just wanted to make sure you, and others, knew the reality as you had painted it in the other thread as a “no brainier”… it’s far from it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 701 ✭✭✭Sam the Sham


    As far as I know, no electricity or gas provider guarantees you a specific rate for the length of your contract. They only guarantee you a discount level relative to their (variable) standard rates.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    The vast majority are, as you said, a discount percentage but you can also get an occasional fixed rate for 12 months… energia do one.

    It’s not common though as the providers want to be able to hike prices at short notice.



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    Given our circumstances as outlined earlier regarding our life style and the large chunks of time we spend away under normal circumstances, it is a no brainier for us. If we were here all the time a day night meter would work- until smart meters become mandatory, as they will.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 856 ✭✭✭Limestone1


    Do you have a smartmeter ? I just tried switching online to their best offer (Dual Fuel 31% and 40%discount) and it won't allow me once I put in the MPRN - presumably because it is trying to steer me to a Smart Plan.

    I wonder if I call them up will they allow this or is it written in stone ?



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Energia have a day / night fixed plan.

    6.94c night rate incl VAT

    24c day rate incl VAT

    Fixed for 12 months.


    I'd rule a mile from smart meters and smart plans tbh. Day /Night meter plans are much better.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    I don’t see how the estimate bill thing makes it a no brainer. I’ve never paid for a unit more than I used over a 12 month period. Being away doesn’t change that. But each to their own.



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    The money is better in my possesion than with a supplier. I pay for what I have used, not what they guesstimate.



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky





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  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    Perhaps before teaching your grandfather how to suck eggs, you might just like to think about this:

    I'm 75, ran a very successful international business, retired at 52, regularly travelled the world until Covid, have a bank balance around four times the Irish average annual income and have a beautiful, regularly updated home.

    I don't need any advice on how to run an electricity, or any other account.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    ?

    What do you mean? Anyone can submit readings. I do it all the time.



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    If you had read the thread, started on the Ioniq 5 forum, you would understand. How do you suggest I submit readings when I'm in New Zealand, the USA or even the UK for up to 8 or 9 weeks at a time?



  • Registered Users Posts: 564 ✭✭✭Pivot Eoin


    LOL, what does all that have to do with anything?

    Someone organize this fella a Parade! 😂



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    Grow up



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    You can submit a reading from anywhere in the world via their website or phone app.

    Since you will have been away for 8 weeks you will have used little electricity so you just enter a small reading. You dont actually have to look at the meter. Simple.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,138 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    The funny thing about that is that by going with a smart tariff you are doing exactly the thing you purport to want to avoid, which is overpaying. But instead of having an estimated bill where you overpay one period and underpay the next (end result is no overpay) you will be signifcantly overpaying EVERY month and you will never get that money back. I hope the irony of that is not lost on you.

    Anyway, you clearly are not for changing here, as is your choice. I respect that. You have the info and figures so have at it. I just wanted to make sure others didnt blindly follow your "no brainer" route.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,335 ✭✭✭Bandana boy


    This guy makes no sense

    he has 200k cash in the bank but ~100 euro cash flow issue (which by law of averages is positive for him as often as it is negative !) is such a problem he is willing to pay ~50 euro a year more for the product to avoid the cash flow problem !!!.



  • Registered Users Posts: 170 ✭✭PhilBky


    When you are in my position and with my experiences of dealing with utility suppliers for over 50 years you may just be able to determine what does and doesn’t make sense. Until then, keep your ideas to yourself.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,400 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    How many more times are you going to tell us you ran a business, travel a lot and have money in the bank? No one cares.

    Old people are so funny on social media.



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