4 Hours of off-Peak Power Free + Free Tesla EV Off-Peak Charging @ Meridian Energy

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4 Hours of off-Peak Power Free + Free Tesla EV Off-Peak Charging @ Meridian Energy
Go to Deal
ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 09:36 nextgen.meridianenergy.co.nz (1407 clicks)
Last edited 12/02/2025 - 13:51 by 1 other user

Finally my contact good night plan's price is increasing, so was time to shop around. Meridian's 4 hour free is same pricing with Contact's 3 hour good night plan. I have maximum usage during 9-12 so this works for me good. Additional 1 hour in afternoon helps with heat pump to bring the temp of the house at comfortable level.

Additionally, you get free anytime off-peak charging if you have Tesla. Option during sign up process. I have emailed to get exactly what hours are included

Free power on your terms*
Say hello to an energy plan that gives you four hours of free off-peak power daily. The best bit? You get to choose which hours are free and you can change them whenever you like!*

Whether it's heating up your house in the morning, washing during the day or charging your EV at night - the power is yours - on us!
Choose your free hours. Change them anytime.

Terms and conditions

My Rates (including GST):

  • Daily charge: $1.3800 /day ^
  • Usage rate: 0.3066 c/kWh ^

Update
I got below response from Meridian about free Hours for Tesla. Looks like 9pm to 6am, off-peak hours are free for Tesla charging.

Thank you for reaching out, if you allow your Tesla to charge over night to the smart charging schedule on your app that charging session will always be fully free.

Otherwise, there is an option in the app to override the smart charging if you wanted to top up your Tesla during the day outside of the smart charging schedule, doing this will make the sessions not free unless you were to override it during your free hours which should also be specified on the app I believe 🙂 then any power you use during free hours is free including charging.

Referral Links

Referral: random (13)

Referral bonuses for Meridian change from time to time. Read the Referral terms to see which energy plan is eligible.

EV Plan: random (1)

Referrer gets 3 months of free home charging worth $105.

Home & Garden Energy Supply

Related Stores

Meridian Energy NZ
Meridian Energy NZ

Comments

    • taeken on 11/02/2025 - 10:39
      +9

      Huh?

      • Battleguy75 on 11/02/2025 - 13:45

        Does anyone have a meridian refer a friend code?

        Please comment below :)

        • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 13:51
          +1

          Referrals are not working for this plan. Anyways, you can click the random referral link below description of this deal if you still need one.

    • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 11:28

      the Orion, United Network, and Vector networks (Christchurch and Auckland).

    • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 11:41

      You get free Zero network usage for 6 months after sign up of this plan

  • Trash on 11/02/2025 - 09:55

    I couldn't find any reference to free Tesla charging - does anyone have more info on that or a link?

    • Muzda on 11/02/2025 - 09:58

      Yeah, I don't think that's a thing. Not sure how they'd tell you're charging a Tesla.

      • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 09:59
        +1

        You have to link your tesla account. I have it working. They have the api linked to the Car to tell if it's charging or not.

        • Muzda on 11/02/2025 - 10:29

          I stand corrected then. Thanks, very cool. Will have to get out the calculator.

    • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 09:58

      Go to the sign up page and continue. On next there is option below to Add 'Free Smart Charge in off-peak'. I can confirm that works.

      • jemas on 11/02/2025 - 10:43

        Sounds like a good deal but I can't seem to find specific details.. So the Tesla can be charged at any of the off-peak hours for free, not just during your chosen 4 free hours? Is that for a certain period (e.g. 6 months) or indefinitely? Also I wonder why only Tesla and not other brands?

          • Detruire on 11/02/2025 - 11:22

            @ace310: On the summary page (which shows the rates) the heading says "Free Smart Charge in off-peak" and the description says "With our Smart Charging add-on you'll get to charge your EV for free overnight. Simply plug it in and let us take care of the rest!"

        • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 22:46

          Only Tesla as only they give an API so custom code can interact with it. In this case, Meridian asks Tesla API how many kWh it charged. Then Meridian credits back that many kWh. No other car manufacturer allows this data from the car so easily, other than Tesla.

      • jemas on 11/02/2025 - 10:47

        Also this contradicts free "anytime" charging in your heading and description.

        • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 10:52

          What do you mean?

          • jemas on 11/02/2025 - 10:58

            @ace310: I mean Tesla free charging is for off-peak only, not anytime, yeah?

            • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 11:12
              -1

              @jemas: It's a flat rate for whole day except for free hours.

              On top of your 4 free hours of power for your home, you can also get Free Smart Charging for your electric vehicle.

  • doubledippps on 11/02/2025 - 09:57

    If you are in South Island you get a better rates compared to North Island.

    • cruelsummer2 on 11/02/2025 - 11:27

      This. I've got 0.1818 c/kWh with Meridian in Canterbury.

      • Bargain-Hunter on 11/02/2025 - 11:48

        How did you get that rate? I'm getting $0.2545 /kWH in Christchurch for this plan

        • doubledippps on 11/02/2025 - 11:55

          Same here I'm at 0.2545/kWh atm. Are you with 4 hours free plan also @cruelsummer2

        • FiveFeetUnder on 11/02/2025 - 12:18

          $0.2545 /kWH (inc GST) in Selwyn too

        • cruelsummer2 on 11/02/2025 - 12:44
          +1

          I went with Meridian in Nov 2023 with this plan:

          Plan Type Plan Name Term End
          Fixed Rate Super Saver Fixed Rate Plan 30/04/2025

          Rate was obtained through the Powerswitch website. No 4 hours free rate.

          I'm thinking that $0.1818 per kWh was a special rate until Apr 2025, after which they'll put me on their standard rate :(

          I'm in Selwyn as well. Town of the future.

          • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 15:30

            @cruelsummer2: If you don't have 4 hours free rate, how is it the same plan? Different plan will have different pricing.

      • LupinS on 11/02/2025 - 15:28

        But not for this plan. And you can't get the plan anymore. So a little pointless for other people to know ;)

  • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 11:43

    I can confirm Tesla free charging works (connects via Tesla API) and I choose 9pm-12am and 12pm-1pm every day.

    • Adam on 11/02/2025 - 14:03

      Awesome, thanks for the info! Is it the api for the car itself or Tesla wall charger? For example, if a non-Tesla EV plugs into my Tesla wall charger will it still be free charging?

      • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 14:05
        +1

        It's for the car itself. The car then reports how much power it's used, then Meridian deducts that from your bill. Non Tesla cars plugged into a Tesla Wall Charger will not get free charging.

    • GenAI on 11/02/2025 - 18:19

      The description is a bit confusion on the website. Can you only charge Tesla for the 4 hours free charge that you’ve chosen? Or can you charge at any off peak hours? Because the website says on top of 4 hours, we get free charge of EV

      • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 18:55

        It’s on top. It uses smarts to start charging your Tesla to your chosen % by the time it’s 6am.

    • scrappycoco on 11/02/2025 - 22:40

      I have got a tesla and have mobile charger(slow one). Will i get overnight charging everyday? Also i get those 4 free hours. Can someone explain this please

      • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 22:42

        Yea you get both 4 free hours a day and free Tesla charging on top.
        It will only charge your Tesla free from 9pm to 6am every day for free though.

  • PicMe on 11/02/2025 - 11:49
    +1

    when i do the maths this could be more expensive then paying for power. The per kw rate is double what i am currently paying and daily rate is triple. Please do your maths against your current bill everyone.

    • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 11:52
      +1

      This is only good if you are able to maximize your usage in those 4 free hours.

    • FiveFeetUnder on 11/02/2025 - 12:20

      Where I am the per kWh rate is slightly higher, but the daily rate is much lower than Contact Good Nights. Overall about $10mth cheaper than Good Nights for last month.

    • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 12:37

      What are your current rates & with whom?

      • PicMe on 11/02/2025 - 12:49

        Mercury Anytime in Auckland. I got fixed rates about 18 months ago
        471 kWh x 21.79 cents $102.63
        Daily Fixed Charge 34 Days x 59.10 cents $20.09
        Electricity Authority Levy 471 kWh x 0.11 cents $0.52

        • Jizah on 11/02/2025 - 14:00
          +1

          Comparing grandfathered rates is a bit disingenuous.

          I also have a fixed 2 year rate from Mercury which expires soon. And those rates will jump right up when that happens.

    • LupinS on 11/02/2025 - 15:30
      +1

      Always.

      I'd need to use over 10kwhs a day during those times. Every day. And that's just to break even on the higher pricing. It's also basically impossible without a huge power draw - even a car isn't going to cut it unless you've had a dedicated 20+amp charger installed.

  • Monyet on 11/02/2025 - 12:48

    Not available in Taupo unfortunately 😕

  • hhan7 on 11/02/2025 - 12:57

    same rate as you. Even cheaper than contact

  • hhan7 on 11/02/2025 - 13:07

    can this combine with referral?

    • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 13:08
      +1

      No.

  • ChoiceCraig on 11/02/2025 - 13:15
    +3

    I tried to get this about 6 months ago but they don't support export meters, i.e. solar. Anyone with PV solar got this?

    • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 22:42

      You can’t with solar.

      • IAmABridge on 12/02/2025 - 07:53

        Just tried to sign up with solar (or at least get rates) and immediate error that the property isn't eligible

        • phillq on 12/02/2025 - 08:41

          You can, you simply have to set your inverter to not export anything to the grid.

    • DannyV on 14/02/2025 - 20:33

      I am with Meridian on another plan which supports export @17c per KWH so they do support it in general, maybe not with this deal..

  • Lukesta on 11/02/2025 - 13:18

    Auckland Vector export meter: "We're sorry, but we are currently unable to support your property on this energy plan. Please contact [email protected] for further assistance."

    Lame!

    Of course they'd be losing money with PV customers.

  • dryburn on 11/02/2025 - 14:01

    Thanks for sharing! I didn't know they had this option.

    My plan is also increasing in March.
    From > To
    Daily Fixed Charge $2.634 > $3.082
    kWh $0.222 > $0.299

    Did a comparison and its a $40 increase!!

    • FiveFeetUnder on 11/02/2025 - 19:29

      That daily fixed charge is painful! I thought my increase to $1.50 was bad

  • Ricardo Castilho on 11/02/2025 - 14:03
    +1

    I made some maths and Contact is still cheaper unless I really make the most of this extra 1 hour. My current rates in Auckland with Contact are Daily 1.200 (1.3800 Meridian) and 0.28200 (0.3066 Meridian) Low user.

    • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 14:05
      +1

      Contact rates are increasing. Everyone is getting notifications in increments so it's likely in near future you will too. Watch out for the price increase email. I had 0.90 Daily & 0.30 kwh rates with Contact which are now same as Meridian ones above. So it's worthwhile to wait until that happens.

    • spam on 11/02/2025 - 14:23
      +1

      I was the same until I got the price increase email from Contact:

      Gone from 90c to $1.20 daily and 30.2c/kWh to 34.50c/kWh. (+gst)

      Meridian gave me $1.20 daily and 26.3c/kWh (+gst)

    • quote on 11/02/2025 - 14:31
      +6

      This is cheapies not reddit

    • ace310 on 11/02/2025 - 15:28

      Username checks out.

  • greentea on 11/02/2025 - 15:33

    Has been using this plan for few months now. Paid $50++ only every month. Work from home full time. Family of 3. Definitely cheaper than contact and you can choose the 4 free hours from the 9 available slots. You may also keep changing the hours based on your needs.

    • dryburn on 11/02/2025 - 16:14

      With Electric kiwi you could change before 11:59pm to make the change for the day. ie if you used 15kwh during 9-10 you could select the hour with the most kWh used.

      Does this plan offer the same? are you limited to how frequently you change?

      • Stoic on 11/02/2025 - 17:05
        +2

        You can change the free hours but it applies from the next day.

      • phillq on 11/02/2025 - 17:13
        +1

        No limit.

    • elbrownos on 11/02/2025 - 21:02

      What does "$50++" mean? The daily charges alone are over $40

      • greentea on 11/02/2025 - 22:52

        I've shifted most of my usage to the 4 free hours. Most importantly turn on and off your hot water during these 4 hours. I never run out of hot water. And yes, i paid only $10++ for usage out of the free hours.

        • Fragluton on 13/02/2025 - 11:07
          +1

          Just don't go getting legionnaires disease to save a few bucks.

  • justaddwater on 11/02/2025 - 15:57

    charge the Tesla, then use that to power your home?

    profit???

  • Cbreezy on 11/02/2025 - 17:29

    I'm with flick and we have an off peak rate of 15.5c and on peak of 25.585c p/kw. Off peak is 1100-1700 then 2100-0700. Weekends are all off peak.

  • Stoffel on 11/02/2025 - 20:41
    +1

    Thanks for the post, looks like we'll be leaving Contact.

    For what it's worth we're currently paying 38.5 c per kWh and $1.38 per day with Contact. With Meridian we'll be paying 30.7 c per kWh and $1.38 per day.

  • mcs08 on 12/02/2025 - 00:23
    +1

    Do you know when does this deal expires? locked into contract at the moment

  • jeansfish on 12/02/2025 - 00:29
    +1

    then which fibre provider should I move to? Also for piped gas.

    • Nzfade on 12/02/2025 - 00:31

      +1 for any piped gas recommendations. See here for broadband recommendations for 2025; prices seem to have gone up: https://www.cheapies.nz/node/50334

      • jeansfish on 13/02/2025 - 00:37
        +1

        I think I will stay with Contact for piped gas.
        last night I signed up Meridian and econofibre, and today in Contact account, I only have piped gas as a service. seems moving although I didn't get update yet.

  • Ydnacj on 12/02/2025 - 07:15

    Currently have power and gas with contact, can I switch out power and leave only gas in contact?

    • coffeee on 12/02/2025 - 09:20

      Yes

  • mmaui on 12/02/2025 - 10:17

    Currently with Octopus. Daily charge $2.71, peak $0.27, off-peak $0.20, night $0.13. I have a Tesla and charge at night or for free at an office. I WFH.
    The offered Meridian rates are daily charge $2.33 and standard rate of $0.26.

    I reviewed my entire 2024 usage and picked the highest off-peak hours that could be free with Meridian. Excluding any free Tesla charging, Meridian is still $74 more per year than Octopus if my usage didn't change.

    Including free Tesla charging means Meridian is $30 cheaper annually. I could probably shift more usage to the free off-peak, and also then do not need to charge for free at the office. Overall Meridian would be perhaps $100 cheaper a year. I'm tempted, although Octopus has been hassle-free and overall excellent service.

    • phillq on 12/02/2025 - 12:50

      Meridian have been good with service after I switched as well, regarding emailing questions about this particular plan.

      • mmaui on 12/02/2025 - 13:01
        +1

        Thanks. Taking the plunge and initiated a switch with Meridian. See how we go.

  • xsolider on 12/02/2025 - 10:39

    Standard rate $0.2545/kWH
    Daily charge $1.3738/day

    Does it mean the plan has only one rate for the whole day? No peak rate, night rate etc?

    • spam on 12/02/2025 - 10:41
      +1

      Yes, like with Contact Free goodnight/weekend; you have the anytime rate apart from the free hour.

      You'd really have to do the calculation yourself if it's worth it. For me, I shift most usage during the free hour and averaged around 54% which effectively means my rate is $0.16/kWh

      • xsolider on 12/02/2025 - 11:04
        +1

        I uploaded my latest power bill with Electric Kiwi to ChatGPT.
        Electricity Usage & Rates
        Time Period kWh Used Rate (incl. GST) Cost
        Peak 113.85 kWh $0.3446 - $0.5236 $47.83
        Off-Peak Shoulder 221.25 kWh $0.2413 - $0.3142 $59.25
        Off-Peak Night 282.83 kWh $0.1723 - $0.2618 $59.52
        Free Power (Hour of Power) 132.39 kWh FREE $0.00
        Supply Charges 33 days $1.14 - $1.43/day $43.42
        Total Charges (Incl. GST) $210.02

        Compare the rates against the new one. Presume we'll use 2.5 x 132.39 kWh (the current free hour usage) for the 4 Free Hours.
        ChatGPT's summary for the comparison:
        Estimated Savings: ~$91.65 per month
        New Total Cost with Meridian: ~$118.37
        Percentage Saved: ~44% reduction in cost

        Seems like a no-brainer move even if we don't have an EV?

        • spam on 12/02/2025 - 11:27
          +1

          Provided you can shift most of usage over the free period, Yes.

          For me, I turned on HWC, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, charge car during the free period. HWC itself is probably around 20% of your daily usage

  • richms on 12/02/2025 - 10:59

    Has anyone on Aucklands north shore network put in to see what the rates are? Also whats their export rate like?

    • ace310 on 12/02/2025 - 11:12

      Why don't you try it and let us know? This plan doesn't support export.

      Fyi: Most likely you will have same rate as mentioned above, as I got same for a random address.

  • CarlLennyson on 12/02/2025 - 11:03
    +1

    I contacted them about this plan a couple of weeks ago but it seems they don't offer it in Wellington.

    • FrugalFinds on 12/02/2025 - 13:20

      Yeah I get: “ We're sorry, but we are currently unable to support your property on this energy plan. Please contact for further assistance.” for my ICP in Welly. Their other plans are available though. I’m on Electra’s lines. Anyone else in Wellington/Lower NI who’s managed to get it?

      • ace310 on 12/02/2025 - 13:34
        +2

        This plan is only available on the Orion, United Network, and Vector networks (Christchurch and Auckland). Found this on the website somewhere yesterday.

  • Leo20250214 on 14/02/2025 - 20:32

    It's a better deal than my Dream Charge from Contact. However, it does not support my address. Said.

  • jeansfish on 18/02/2025 - 23:38

    Does anyone get update from them since signed up?

    • Trash on 19/02/2025 - 07:12

      Still waiting for them to send through the Tesla link up information.

    • Tmurder91 on 19/02/2025 - 07:20

      Nothing aftter a week. And my power has likely already switched as I received a final bill from my old provider 2 days after signup.
      In emailed them Monday and no reply either so I’d assume they got flooded with signups. Will probably end up calling today or tomorrow unfortunately.

      Horrible start to the plan, really messing up my free power habits.

      • ace310 on 19/02/2025 - 07:29
        +1

        Use this link to login. If you haven't created the login, use Sign up now option below. Use the email you signed up with. Communication is not proper I think with this plan. Seems this is a newer system and not everything is linked properly yet.

  • ace310 on 19/02/2025 - 10:52

    Access your new customer portal

    You can now create a login and access our online customer portal, where you can monitor your power usage and change your free hours.

    Getting started is easy:

    • Visit our homepage and select the "login" option in the top right corner.

    • Select "Don’t have an account? Sign up now."

    • Enter the email address you used to sign up for the Four Free Plan.

    • Click "send verification code", then enter the code you receive in the verification field.

    • Set and confirm your password, then provide your first and last name.

    • Click "create" to complete your account setup.

    Smart Charging Add-on

    In order to get Smart Charging underway and have access to features in the web app, you’ll need to set yourself up with a login as outlined above.

    Once you’ve set up your login, you’ll need to sync up your car with Enode (our tech service provider). To do this, you will need to download the Meridian Link EV app in:

    What’s next

    Once you’ve linked your EV, your Smart Charging policy will be activated within 1-2 business days.

    Ready by 6am: Our Smart Charging algorithm ensures your EV is charged and ready by 6 AM, based on the battery limit you’ve set in your Tesla.

    Home charging only: Smart Charging applies only at your home address and won’t affect charging elsewhere.

    After the policy is activated, you’ll be able to login to your account and can use features such as:
    🔋 View Charge Status: See your EV's charge status in real-time.
    🔄 Override Smart Charging session: Need to charge now? Override Smart Charging for a standard session rate
    🕒 Charge Session History: Review your past charging sessions.

    • jeansfish on 19/02/2025 - 22:56

      Thanks very much. I set it up right now.

    • Dro1d on 26/02/2025 - 11:00

      I've set up the link via the app. The new Meridian portal website can see my standard charging session but when it was left plugged in there was no smart charging.

      The override charge doesn't seem to activate charging on the Tesla either. Any ideas why?

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