Ontario's New Ultra-Low Overnight Price: What It Means for Charging Your EV at Home

What the OEB Announced

Under the OEB's Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) price plan, the overnight price is now 3.7¢/kWh every day from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. That's down from 3.9¢/kWh in the OEB's November 1, 2025 prices. ULO hours stay the same all year.

Full ULO prices from November 1, 2026:

Source: the OEB's October 16, 2026 news release and its Regulated Price Plan Price Report.

ULO vs TOU vs Tiered, in Plain Language

Most residential customers can choose one of three OEB price plans. From November 1, 2026:

• Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO): the lowest overnight price, but the highest price on weekday late afternoons and evenings. The hours are the same all year.
• Time-of-Use (TOU): in winter, 9.1¢/kWh off-peak (weekdays 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., plus weekends and holidays all day), 14.6¢/kWh mid-peak (weekdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and 18.9¢/kWh on-peak (weekdays 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
• Tiered: one price at any time of day. In winter, residential customers pay 11.2¢/kWh for the first 1,000 kWh each month and 13.2¢/kWh above that.

Winter TOU hours and the winter Tier threshold run from November 1 to April 30. These prices appear on the Electricity line of your bill; delivery is a separate line.

When Overnight Charging Helps

The OEB notes that people who charge electric vehicles may want to take advantage of the Ultra-Low Overnight price. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., it's the lowest price per kWh on any of the three plans.

ULO isn't right for every household, though. Its weekday on-peak price of 37.7¢/kWh, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., is the highest on any plan. Heavy weekday evening use can cut into what you gain overnight.

The OEB is clear: there's no guarantee you'll save money by switching. Its bill calculator lets you compare plans using your own usage.

Here's a simple illustration based on OEB prices, not a quote or a prediction. Assume your EV draws 10 kWh from the charger in one session (an assumption, only to show the math):

• ULO overnight: 10 kWh × 3.7¢ = 37¢
• TOU winter off-peak: 10 kWh × 9.1¢ = 91¢
• ULO weekday on-peak: 10 kWh × 37.7¢ = $3.77

This covers the Electricity line only, leaving out delivery, regulatory charges, HST and the Ontario Electricity Rebate. Your own charging needs will differ.

How a Level 2 Charger Makes Overnight Charging Easy

The ULO window is eight hours long. A Level 2 charger is much faster than a regular wall outlet, so it's easier to fit charging into that window. Our Level 2 vs Level 1 Guide explains the difference.

Scheduling makes it simple. Many Level 2 chargers and EVs let you set a charging start time in an app. You plug in when you get home, and charging waits until 11 p.m., skipping the weekday on-peak (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and mid-peak (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.) hours.

On TOU, winter off-peak starts at 7 p.m. on weekdays, so match your schedule to your plan.

Switching to ULO with Toronto Hydro

Your price plan won't change on its own. To get the ULO price, you need to switch.

Toronto Hydro says the fastest way to change your plan is its online self-serve portal. You can also complete its Customer Choice Request Form and submit it as the form instructs. Details are on Toronto Hydro's Choose your electricity price plan page.

According to Toronto Hydro, a request received at least 10 calendar days before your next billing period takes effect that period. Otherwise, it takes effect by the second billing period. Customers with an electricity retailer contract aren't eligible to change price plans.

If another utility serves you, the OEB says to contact it for its election form. Condo or apartment customers billed by a unit sub-metering provider can't switch plans themselves. See the OEB's Choosing your electricity price plan page.

What a Level 2 Charger Install Involves

Installing a Level 2 charger is a job for a licensed electrician. It usually includes:

• Panel capacity check. We look at your electrical panel and existing loads to confirm it can handle the charger.
• Dedicated circuit. A Level 2 charger typically needs its own 240-volt circuit and breaker.
• ESA permit. We take out the ESA permit and arrange the inspection, so the work is on record.

Our ESA permit Guide explains why the permit matters. This isn't a DIY job, and we don't give DIY instructions for it.

Get a Free Quote for EV Charger Installation

Want to charge overnight on a schedule? We'd be glad to look at your setup anywhere in Toronto and the GTA. Visit our EV charger installation page, contact us or call 289-814-7241 for a free quote.

Electro Group Ltd. is a licensed electrical contractor, ESA Licence #7017939. Our team has 15+ years of experience in the trade.

FAQ

When did the new ULO price start?

November 1, 2026. The OEB set the overnight price at 3.7¢/kWh, every day from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Will switching to ULO save me money?

It depends on how much electricity you use and when you use it. The OEB says there's no guarantee you'll save by switching, so try its bill calculator with your own bills first.

Can I switch back if ULO doesn't suit me?

Yes. The OEB says you can switch price plans at any time, and you aren't locked in. A switch takes effect at the start of a billing period.

Do I need a Level 2 charger to be on ULO?

No. ULO is a price plan from your utility, not equipment. A Level 2 charger with scheduling just makes overnight charging easier.

Ready to Charge Overnight?

A lower overnight price is a good reason to make home charging simple. Call Electro Group at 289-814-7241 or contact us to book a free quote. We serve homeowners across Toronto and the GTA.