Getting ahead of the curve to make major savings on EV charging

For Energia customer Michael Fitzgerald, new technologies always present fresh opportunities to create an advantage. It is a way to make life easier, get an edge, and often to save money.

“I would be a techie person. I've always tried to stay a little bit ahead of the curve in relation to technology,” says the dad-of-one from Middleton, Co Cork.

Michael’s electricity use is no exception. An early adopter of electric vehicles and solar panels, he was looking for an EV tariff to maximise the financial benefits of his chosen tech.

That meant carrying out his own research and building a clear picture of all the options available when choosing EV plans in Ireland.

Equipped with the data and insights, Michael could make an informed decision to help him save on energy costs. He found Energia’s EV Smart Drive plan offered exactly what he was looking for.

"When I crunched the numbers, Energia was the plan that worked out best for us," he explains.

EV charging window opens up big savings

With Michael and his wife both driving EVs, being able to charge the cars overnight dramatically cuts running costs for the household. Michael uses discounted EV charging rates to maximise the savings on his electricity bill.

"The EV Smart Drive plan gives us a four-hour window overnight — 2am to 6am — at a discounted rate,” says Michael. “During that time, that gives me the opportunity to charge my car and to set my appliances.”

"You're covering a lot of your usage into that period," says Michael. "And that will translate into major savings."

That’s exactly what has happened for Michael and his family. Switching to the EV Smart Drive plan and taking advantage of the discounted electricity rates it offers has delivered substantial savings for them.

"Our energy bills are down considerably,” he says. “That is even taking into account the fact that we have two EVs in the house."

Covering up to 80% of EV running costs with solar

It’s no surprise that Michael used exactly the same approach when installing solar panels. Once again, the self-confessed techie got stuck into his research to find the best option for his household’s needs.

Once he had gathered the information, Michael was able to go ahead with the solar panel installation with confidence.

“The experience of getting the solar panels in, it wasn't difficult,” says Michael. “It's just a case of doing your research.”

On the question of whether solar panels are worth it, Michael has absolutely no doubts that the overwhelming majority of households in Ireland would be better off if they were using solar energy.

He explains: “99.99% of people will absolutely get a benefit from solar panels. During the summer, it could cover 70-80% of our bill.”

It’s not just those immediate financial savings that motivated Michael’s decision. The benefits of making the transition to solar energy go far beyond the here and now.

Michael explains: “By using sustainable energy and renewable energy, it really makes that positive impact for future generations.”

Start your EV charging research

Ready to follow Michael’s lead to find the best EV tariff for your needs? Crunch the numbers to help you decide the most cost-effective way of charging your EV at home.