Off-Peak EV Charging with TOU Rates with the NeoCharge App

By Holden Kooiker, COO — NeoCharge  

Are you tired of getting hit with surprise electricity bills after charging your EV during peak hours? You're not alone—most EV owners are overpaying for charging simply because they don't know when electricity costs the least or how to automate it.

Here's the thing: many utility companies charges different rates throughout the day, and most EV apps just guess at these costs. But what if your car could automatically charge when electricity is cheapest (during off-peak times), while still being ready when you need it?

Quick Answer: Open Locations & Utility Rates, pick your utility and plan (or add a custom TOU), then create a Smart Schedule with your preferred finish-by time. NeoCharge uses those rates to optimize charging into cheaper, cleaner windows—no panel upgrade required. It works with 90%+ EVs and leading solar inverters. NeoCharge makes it simple to automate off-peak EV charging using your TOU rate.

Stop wasting money on EV charging guesswork. NeoCharge gives you precision cost tracking, smart automation, and professional-grade energy monitoring that saves EV drivers up to 70% on charging costs. Works with Tesla, Ford, BMW, and 90%+ of EVs—no hardware required to start.

Why Most EV Owners Are Overpaying for Charging

Most EV apps estimate costs using generic rates, leaving you in the dark about actual expenses. Meanwhile, your utility company charges premium rates during peak hours (often 4-9 PM when everyone's home cooking dinner and running AC).

NeoCharge changes this by connecting your exact rate plan to Smart Schedules, so you see precise $/session and automated off-peak charging—with instant overrides when you need to top up now.

The bottom line: Instead of paying peak rates of $0.40-0.50/kWh, you could be paying off-peak rates of that are 70% lower.

What Is Time-of-Use Charging and Why Does It Matter?

Time-of-Use (TOU) charging means your electricity rate changes based on when you use it. Most utilities have three periods:

• Off-peak (cheapest): Usually late night/early morning
• Mid-peak (moderate): Afternoon and some evenings
• On-peak (most expensive): Early evening when demand peaks

The more you charge off-peak the better for you, the grid, and your wallet.

How Long Does It Take to Set Up Smart Charging in NeoCharge?

Setting up takes less than 5 minutes once you know your utility rate plan. Here's the complete process:

Step 1: Add Your Charging Location(s) (1 minute)

In the NeoCharge app, create locations like "Home," "Work," or "Mom's House." NeoCharge can manage unlimited locations and uses location detection so the right schedule applies when you plug in.

Pro tip: Public charging automatically bypasses schedule restrictions—you'll never be stuck waiting.

Step 2: Find and Select Your Utility Rate Plan (2 minutes)

Choose your utility from our database, then select your specific TOU or seasonal plan. We include rate plans for major utilities across North America, complete with:

• Seasonal variations (summer vs winter rates)
• Weekend vs weekday differences
• Holiday schedules

Verify the details match what you see on your electricity bill—this ensures accuracy.

Step 3: Can't Find Your Utility? Create a Custom Rate (3 minutes)

No problem. Add a custom rate with seasonal and weekday/weekend differences, plus TOU periods—down to $X.XXXX/kWh precision.

This is perfect for:

• Municipal or co-op utilities
• Special EV rates from your utility
• Commercial rate structures
• Unique regional providers
• Anyone

Step 4: Create Your Smart Schedule (1 minute)

Set a finish-by time for each day (the app defaults to midnight start if none is specified). NeoCharge will use only the time needed within your cheapest windows to reach your target.

Advanced scheduling options:

• Different schedules for each day (up to 7)
• Weekday vs weekend patterns
• Seasonal adjustments

Step 5: Disable Your Car's Built-in Schedule (30 seconds)

Turn off your vehicle's native charging schedule to avoid conflicts. This lets NeoCharge control timing through the vehicle's API or your smart charger.

What Happens After I Set Up My Utility Rates?

Once configured, NeoCharge provides:

Real-time insights:

• Current session power draw and cost
• Estimated completion time
• Which TOU period you're in
• Projected session total

Historical tracking:

• Daily, weekly, monthly cost breakdowns
• Per-session details with time stamps
• Carbon footprint metrics
• Exportable reports for taxes/reimbursement

Automatic optimization:

• Charging starts in your cheapest windows
• Finishes by your specified time
• Accounts for your car's charging speed
• Adjusts for current battery level

How Much Money Can Smart Charging Actually Save?

Real user examples:

Sarah (Tesla Model Y, Phoenix): Switched from charging when convenient (mix of peak/off-peak) to overnight-only smart charging. Monthly savings: $49

Mike (Ford Lightning, San Diego): Uses NeoCharge with NEM 3.0 solar optimization and TOU scheduling. Monthly savings: $106

Lisa (BMW i3, Chicago): Simple off-peak scheduling only. Monthly savings: $27

Average savings range: $23-35+ per month, depending on:

• Your utility's rate structure
• Daily driving distance
• Current charging habits
• Whether you have solar

Which Cars and Chargers Work with NeoCharge Smart Scheduling?

Full scheduling support:

• Tesla (all models)
• Ford (Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning)
• All BMW Models
• All Audi Models
• Hyundai/Kia (Ioniq, EV6)
• And Mini, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lucid, Mercedes, Porsche, and more.

Limited scheduling (cost tracking works):

• Rivian (some features restricted)
• Older Nissan Leaf models
• Some Chevrolet Bolt variants

Compatible chargers:

• Tesla Wall Connector
• Wallbox Pulsar Plus

What If I Need to Charge Right Now?

Life happens—maybe you have an unexpected trip or forgot to plug in. Simply tap Start/Stop in the app to immediately override your schedule and begin (or stop) charging.

Override features:

• Instant remote start from anywhere
• Override lasts for current session only
• Regular schedule resumes next time you plug in
• No penalties or restrictions

Can NeoCharge Work If My Utility Doesn't Use Time-of-Use Rates?

Yes! Even with flat electricity rates, NeoCharge provides:

• Exact cost tracking (no more estimating)
• Carbon footprint insights
• Usage patterns and efficiency tips
• Future-proofing for when your utility adopts TOU

Many utilities are transitioning to TOU rates—having NeoCharge set up means you'll automatically benefit when yours switches. You can also connect your Solar inverter for savings as well!

How Do I Know If My Utility Offers Special EV Rates?

Many utilities offer discounted rates specifically for EV charging, but they don't advertise them heavily. Here's how to find out:

1. Check your utility's website for "EV rates" or "electric vehicle programs"
2. Call your utility customer service and ask about EV-specific rate plans
3. Look for "super off-peak" or "off-peak" periods (often 12-6 AM with extra-low rates)
4. Ask about separate EV meters (some utilities offer sub-metering for even better rates)

NeoCharge can accommodate any of these special rate structures in your custom rate setup.

What's the Difference Between NeoCharge and Other EV Apps?

Most EV apps focus on basic data logging or simple scheduling. NeoCharge provides:

Precision cost tracking: Your exact utility rates, not estimates
Smart off-peak scheduling: Car ready when you need it and scheduling flexibility, not just "charge at night"
Multi-location and EV support: Different rates and schedules for home, work, etc. Connect as many EV brands as you would like.
Solar integration (Enphase, Tesla, SolarEdge): Optimize for self-consumption with solar systems, great for using up your own solar energy.
Smart Splitter compatibility: Manage two EVs (or your dryer + EV) on one 240V outlet automatically, plus you can now schedule charging with your Smart Splitter directly!
Professional-grade monitoring: Export data for reimbursement or splitting your utility bill.

For your 240V Dual EV Charging needs get the NEMA 14-50 Smart Splitter:

Get Started with Smart EV Charging Today

Setting up smart charging and energy cost tracking takes just a few minutes but saves money every single day.

Your next steps:

1. Download The NeoCharge App on IOS or Android (no hardware required to start)
2. Add your location and utility rate plan
3. Create a simple schedule and start charging off-peak automatically
4. Let the app automatically optimize your charging costs

Ready to stop overpaying for EV charging? Get started today and see exactly how much you can save with your specific utility rates and driving patterns.

†Savings vary by rates, vehicle, charging speed, solar availability, driving habits, and setup.

Ready to stop overpaying for EV charging? Download NeoCharge and start saving with smart, automated scheduling that works with your exact utility rates.