Alectra EV Charging Rates for Markham Homeowners
Compare TOU, Ultra-Low Overnight and Tiered plans for your Markham household. The cheapest charging window depends on the selected plan and the rest of your electricity use.
Published
Updated
Rate examples checked October 13, 2026
The OEB's published energy rates are 3.9¢/kWh for ULO from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and 9.8¢/kWh for TOU off-peak. ULO weekday peak is 39.1¢/kWh from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; weekend daytime ULO is a separate 9.8¢/kWh band. These are energy prices, before delivery, regulatory charges, tax and bill rebates. Confirm your plan and current tariff before budgeting.
Your electricity bill and current rate plan are the starting point for charging costs in Markham. Charging schedules can affect the energy cost, while household usage determines whether a plan suits you. This guide explains the billing questions to check with your local utility.
Let the charger do the optimizing, not you
For Markham charging, scheduling can shift energy into a lower-price window on TOU or ULO. Tiered pricing depends on monthly use instead of the hour. Use the vehicle or compatible charger settings, check the selected plan and allow for the energy needed and time parked. A schedule alone does not guarantee a full battery or a saving on the whole bill. Compare whole-household plans with the OEB bill calculator.
Demand response, the saving most owners miss
Scheduling into off-peak hours is the obvious win. The quieter one is demand response. Alectra and provincial programs periodically run peak-shaving events, signalling connected devices to back off during stretches when the grid is strained. A charger that can enrol in these programs eases its own draw automatically during an event, sometimes earning a credit or incentive for participating, and then makes up the energy later overnight when rates fall again. For a Markham owner this is found money: the car still charges fully, you simply let the smart charger answer the utility's signal instead of charging straight through a costly peak. Your contractor should set up units that support this where the program and hardware allow.
Compare the three regulated price plans
Markham homes on Alectra sit on one of two structures. Time-of-use prices the same kilowatt-hour differently by the hour, splitting the day into off-peak, mid-peak, and on-peak bands. Tiered pricing charges a single rate up to a monthly threshold, then a higher rate above it. Installation timing must be confirmed for your project.
Mapping each Alectra band to a charger action
| Charging window | Where it ranks on price | How to set the smart charger |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight, off-peak | Cheapest band | Schedule the full session here |
| Mid-peak, shoulder hours | Middle band | Allow only an emergency top-up |
| On-peak, workday and early evening | Priciest band | Pause charging, defer to overnight |
| Weekends and statutory holidays | Off-peak all day | Top up freely any hour |
| Demand-response event | Grid under strain | Let the charger ease back, recover later |
The exact price tied to each band is not fixed by Alectra alone. Ontario's energy regulator reviews these rates on a recurring schedule, so a Markham homeowner should pull the live cents-per-kilowatt-hour from Alectra before doing the maths. What does not move is the shape of the day, cheap overnight and expensive midday, whatever the current figures happen to be.
The ultra-low overnight plan, and how to exploit it
Ontario also offers an ultra-low overnight rate plan built for exactly this pattern, pairing a very cheap overnight block with a higher on-peak rate. A Markham EV owner who charges at night and draws little daytime power can ask Alectra whether it fits the household. A smart charger makes the plan pay off harder, because it funnels every kilowatt-hour into that ultra-cheap block and keeps daytime use, when the rate is steepest, to a minimum. If you also run a 240-volt outlet for a portable unit, the same scheduling logic carries over.
Moving between plans is a request, not a rewire
Ask your electricity provider how to change plans and when the change takes effect. Compare the whole Markham household, including daytime heating, cooling and appliances, rather than choosing from EV charging alone.
Energy cost and total bill cost
Your Markham charging budget has two useful figures: the energy charge and the incremental total bill cost. Some delivery and regulatory charges vary with kWh, while monthly customer charges are fixed. Added charging can therefore increase more than the energy line. Check your own utility tariff, losses, tax and applicable bill rebate. Toronto Hydro's current tariff illustrates both fixed and per-kWh charges; use the rates for your actual address.
Installation facts and equipment guidance
ESA notification and contractor requirements explain electrical-work responsibilities. Manufacturer charging guidance explains why output varies by vehicle and power supply. Ask the confirmed contractor to apply those requirements to your Markham project.
First enquiry and later project review
Start with the short enquiry form: first name, preferred contact details and postal code. After first contact, the service provider may request the project details and photos below. The form does not take attachments.
- Your EV model and rough nightly charging need
- A photo of your panel for sizing
- Which Alectra plan you are on and whether demand-response enrolment interests you
Discuss the charging schedule and equipment options for your Markham property through the Get A Free Quote. The service provider confirms coverage, the contractor and project terms. Check the current utility plan and equipment features before assuming savings or program eligibility.
Frequently asked
When does charging cost the least on Alectra rates in Markham?+
The lowest-price hours depend on whether your Alectra account is on TOU or ULO. Check the current OEB periods against the bill, and if it is Tiered, timing alone does not change the energy band.
For a Markham EV household, is time-of-use or tiered Alectra pricing better?+
Use the Markham household's actual usage and timing rather than car ownership alone. Add expected charging energy to the comparison and check whether the driver can reliably use lower-price hours before choosing TOU over Tiered.
Can a smart charger take part in Alectra demand-response events in Markham?+
That depends on an active program, your account eligibility and the exact charger or vehicle. Wi-Fi alone does not establish enrollment or a payment. Check the utility or program provider's current terms and the manufacturer's compatibility instructions before assuming the equipment can participate. Charging limits and event rules also need review.
Is there an Alectra rate plan aimed specifically at overnight EV charging?+
The ULO option includes an overnight price period, but it applies to household usage rather than just the charger. Compare the complete Alectra account, particularly weekday evening use, before deciding to change plans.
How much of my Alectra bill does scheduling actually move in Markham?+
Timing changes the applicable energy price on a time-varying tariff. Additional EV use can also affect variable charges, so compare the full Alectra account with the expected schedule instead of subtracting an app's savings figure from the whole bill.