Understanding the National Grid Off-Peak EV Program

When I first started reading about National Grid’s Off-Peak EV Charging Program, I noticed a lot of confusion online (especially on Reddit). The good news is the program isn’t complicated once you break it down. If you drive an EV in Massachusetts and charge at home, this program can save you money just by plugging in at the right time.

How It Works

National Grid wants to encourage EV owners to charge their cars when the overall demand for electricity is lower. If you sign up, you’ll earn a rebate every month for charging your EV during off-peak hours.

• Off-Peak Hours: Weeknights from 9 pm to 1 pm the next day

• Peak Hours: Weekdays from 1 pm to 9 pm

• Weekends and Holidays: Treated as peak hours all day (no off-peak rebates)

Holidays That Count as Peak

Here’s the full list of holidays when charging is considered peak all day, even overnight (meaning no rebate):

• New Year’s Day (observed)

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Presidents’ Day

• Memorial Day

• Juneteenth

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Veterans Day (observed)

• Thanksgiving Day

• Day After Thanksgiving

• Christmas Day

So, for example, if you plug in your EV at 10 pm on the 4th of July, it won’t count as off-peak and you will not receive a rebate.

Why It Matters

This program gives you cash back as bill credits every month just for smart charging. The exact rebate can vary, but the idea is simple: the more you shift your charging into off-peak hours, the bigger the benefit. And you don’t have to change how you drive, just when you plug in.

Bottom Line

• Charge on weeknights after 9 pm and before 1 pm the next day.

• Avoid charging during weekday afternoons, weekends, and the listed holidays if you want to maximize your rebate.

It really is that simple once you see the breakdown.

How to connect your charger to the program

National Grid doesn’t just take your word for when you’re charging — your charger needs to share charging data with them. Here’s how that works:

1. Get a compatible smart charger.
   Not all chargers can talk to National Grid. Popular options like ChargePoint Home Flex, JuiceBox, and Emporia are supported.

2. Download the app for your charger.
   Each smart charger has its own app where you can create an account. Once your charger is installed, you’ll get instructions (or see a menu option in the app) to connect with the National Grid program. 

3. Link your account to National Grid.
   Usually this means logging into your charger’s account and approving data sharing. You'll also need to download the National Grid app to get this going. Here is the app for Android and iOS.

4. That’s it.
   From there, National Grid can see when you’re charging. You just need to plug in during off-peak hours to earn the credit.

If you need more information you can visit the National Grid page for this rebate program.