Why EVs change the comparison
A washing machine might use 1-2kWh. An EV charge can be 10-40kWh or more.
That means EV timing can outweigh the rest of the day. A good charging window can make Agile look much cheaper in the estimate. Charging during expensive periods can push the estimate the other way.
What to check
Before charging, check:
- how many kWh you need
- when the car must be ready
- whether the cheap period is long enough
- whether the window overlaps the evening peak
- whether tomorrow's prices are available
- whether a dedicated EV tariff would be simpler
Agile vs a fixed overnight EV tariff
A fixed overnight EV tariff is easier when the car can charge at the same time every night.
Agile can still be attractive when cheap windows move around and the car is flexible enough to follow them. It is less attractive when you need predictable charging and do not want to check prices.
Example
A 20kWh top-up at 8p/kWh costs about £1.60 before standing charge and other tariff factors. The same top-up at 30p/kWh costs about £6.00.
That is why EV charging is one of the loads where timing can be worth real attention.