There is one aspect that new electric vehicle drivers learn after buying: the perfect time to charge your vehicle to help the environment…

We’re all used to the idea of filling up a petrol or diesel car whenever we want in the day, as it doesn’t really matter in terms of cost or effort.

Thankfully, the time to charge your EV actually does matter and there’s still a slight carbon footprint for when to do it. If you’re already familiar with having a smart home, then an EV should be easy enough for you to handle. Let’s take a look at how it works.

Timing and emissions

You may not know that our electricity grid isn’t actually powered by one consistent energy source for 24 hours. During the day, there is a combination of renewable energy, gas, and even nuclear.

For example, during a very windy evening (many of these in the UK), then the grid is mostly powered by offshore winds, while gas could be more vital to the grid on colder, calmer evenings.

You may not have realised the impact of the weather with regards to clean energy and your EV charging times. For example, sunny afternoons boost solar production, which is especially useful if you have installed home panels.

The variation moves the carbon intensity (how many grams of carbon dioxide are created per unit of electricity). So, by recharging your electric vehicle when there are more renewable energy sources flowing throughout the energy grid, then you’re helping to reduce the environmental impact for all those miles driven.

This is a huge benefit of EVs, because as the UK grid is aiming for more renewable sources, then the emissions will only continue to fall every year.

Why you should try for off-peak charging

It’s worth noting that off-peak overnight charging provides the most affordable and cleanest form of electricity for EV drivers.

Renewable energy often rises in the evening when the demand is low, particularly for wind. This results in the UK energy grid having a bigger supply of green electricity, which means it’s the best time to charge your EV overnight.

Furthermore, most energy suppliers will offer cheaper tariffs to charge overnight, which saves you money and helps the grid. It’s a lot to learn for new EV drivers, but these useful tips on charging at home will answer all your pressing questions.

Of course, charging during the working day isn’t frowned upon, but it simply depends how the grid is acting at that very moment. Midday in summer is a great time when solar production is at its highest, and setting up your own solar panels and EV charger at home is the cleanest, most efficient way of charging the battery.

Small steps to help the environment

Nobody is saying that the way you charge your electric vehicle is going to fix the planet straight away. Being sustainable and green is all about small choices that, when done by millions of people, can make a bigger impact one day. The UK is switching faster to renewable energy and choosing the right time to charge is important for you and the entire grid.

Smart charging is simply so much easier

Want the good news? It won’t be necessary for you to sit at home constantly checking the best time to plug in your EV based on the national grid. The vast majority of modern EVs and home chargers come fully equipped with special features, which allow you to schedule charging sessions automatically.

Your EV can charge when electricity is more affordable and therefore, cleaner for the environment. It’s worth looking into switching to energy providers that offer dedicated EV tariffs, as these can regulate to times of lower demand.

It’s a very English way to feel bad about hogging the public charger and avoiding the feeling that you’re preventing others from charging. This is why you don’t want to leave the charger plugged in longer than necessary, and selecting quieter times to ensure than there’s no grid strain and no inconveniencing anyone else.

A smart charger at home is the easiest way to ensure that you can charge your electric vehicle whenever you want. Charging etiquette is one thing, but it’s your EV and you can stick to your own schedule when there’s no reliance on a public charger.

You’ll also need to keep checking your EV’s energy use to make certain you’re charging the smart way. As EVs will provide data on the electricity used per mile, you can change small things like charging during low-carbon periods and using gentler acceleration so that you’re not using more battery than necessary.

Considering the long-term advantages

You may have already guessed by now, but a massive benefit of electric vehicles is the fact that they become greener without you actually upgrading the car. The UK is ensuring a steadfast investment in solar, wind, and more renewable energies. This means that overnight charging becomes the cleanest way to power vehicles each year as we improve our sources of electricity.