Key Points
- OVO Energy's Free 4 Plan gives customers $0.00 per kWh electricity from 11am to 3pm every day, four hours in total.
- The Free 4 Plan replaces the Free 3 Plan, which offered a shorter 11am to 2pm free window and is now closed to new sign-ups.
- A smart meter is required and the plan is available in VIC, NSW, QLD and SA with standard rates and supply charges applying outside the free window.
OVO Energy has replaced its Free 3 Plan with The Free 4 Plan, a home electricity plan that gives customers a free daytime power window. The new plan extends the free window from three hours to four, running from 11am to 3pm every day.
Electric vehicle owners and those with heavy daytime loads are the plan's main target, since both can shift usage into the middle of the day. The Free 3 Plan is no longer open to new customers, though existing Free 3 customers can stay on their current plan or switch to Free 4.
How the Free 4 Plan Works
The Free 4 Plan has one free window that applies to general household usage:
OVO The Free 4 Plan Free Window
Free Window | Rate | Days |
11am to 3pm | $0.00/kWh | Every day |
Standard rates apply outside the free window. The plan excludes controlled load usage, and supply charges still apply on top of usage rates. Free 4 usage is also subject to OVO's Fair Use Policy.
Free 4 Plan vs the Old Free 3 Plan
Free 4 is a straightforward upgrade on the plan it replaces. Here is how the two compare:
Free 4 Plan vs Free 3 Plan
Feature | Free 3 Plan (previous) | Free 4 Plan (current) |
Free window | 11am to 2pm (3 hours) | 11am to 3pm (4 hours) |
Rate during free window | $0.00/kWh | $0.00/kWh |
New sign-ups | Closed, no longer available | Open |
Smart meter required | Yes | Yes |
Controlled load included | No | No |
States available | VIC, NSW, QLD, SA | VIC, NSW, QLD, SA |
OVO has not published a like-for-like comparison of daily supply charges between the two plans, which will also vary by state. Anyone comparing the two should get a quote for their own address rather than relying on the free window alone.
Is Free 4 Right for You?
OVO markets Free 4 at households that can shift electricity use into the middle of the day. That includes people working from home, households with programmable smart appliances, and anyone charging an EV or a home battery during daylight hours.
There is no daily cap on how much electricity can be used during the free window. Usage is subject to OVO's Fair Use Policy, and if usage is consistently higher than a typical household, OVO says it may move the account to its Standard Retail Contract.
Pricing and Eligibility
A smart meter is required to access the Free 4 Plan. OVO quotes indicative pricing for a residential single-rate tariff customer using 4,000kWh per year on the United Energy network in Victoria at a lowest annual amount of $1,119, which OVO states is 29% below the Victorian Default Offer. Actual costs vary by state, network and usage, and this figure excludes solar export, concessions or rebates.
The plan is available in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Outside the free window, standard usage rates and supply charges apply and vary by network.
Sign up to OVO Energy's Free 4 Plan
Other Plan Features
OVO bundles the same account features into Free 4 as its other plans. Customers in credit are paid 3% OVO Interest Reward on their balance when paying by monthly direct debit.
OVO also offers a 100% GreenPower option on top of the plan, and has donated over $602,000 to the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife through its charity program. Usage can be tracked through the OVO app.
How to Sign Up
New customers can get a quote directly through OVO's website, or call 1300 937 686 for advice on choosing the right plan. Existing OVO customers on Free 3 can switch to Free 4 by logging into their account and changing plans on the MyOVO portal.
To compare Free 4 against other EV and household electricity plans in Australia, visit the Zecar EV Energy Compare tool or the Federal Government's Energy Made Easy website at energymadeeasy.gov.au.
Sign up to OVO Energy's Free 4 Plan
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
