What is the 2025 off-peak reform?
The peak and off-peak system has existed in France since the 1970s and 80s. At the time, it was designed to optimise the use of France's nuclear power plants. As the latter operates continuously, its production cannot easily be modulated. The aim was to encourage consumers to use electricity during periods of low demand, particularly at night. To achieve this, a reduced tariff was offered for 8 hours a day.
Today, this system is undergoing major change. The CRE (French Energy Regulatory Commission) has agreed a structural reform. It comes into force on 1 November 2025, with a gradual roll-out until October 2027. This transformation is part of TURPE 7, the new tariff for the use of public electricity transmission networks. This governs electricity transmission tariffs in France.
What is the aim of this reform?
The main objective of this reform is therefore to adapt the tariff system to the new France's energy mixIn other words, the various primary energy sources. With the massive development of renewable energies, particularly photovoltaic, electricity production now peaks in the middle of the day and not just at night. The aim of the reform is therefore to better synchronise consumption with actual electricity production, while taking into account new uses such as teleworking.
The roll-out will take place in two distinct phases:
- An initial phase from November 2025 to June 2026 which will affect around 1.7 million customers.
- A second phase from December 2026 to October 2027 which will affect the remaining 9.3 million customers.
The consumers concerned are informed by their electricity supplier at least one month before the changeover to the new timetables.
New off-peak times in November 2025
The principle of seasonal off-peak hours in 2025
The main innovation in this reform is the introduction of a seasonal system. Unlike the old system, where off-peak times were fixed throughout the year, the new system adapts to seasonal variations in electricity production and consumption.
The total volume of off-peak hours remains the same: 8 hours per day, or 56 hours per week. However, their distribution changes considerably depending on the time of year.
The winter period, from 1 November to 31 March
Off-peak hours are mainly at night. This configuration meets heating needs and limited solar production during this season. The system guarantees a minimum of 5 consecutive hours during the night, generally between 10pm and 7am, depending on the geographical area. The remaining off-peak hours can be positioned in the early morning or late evening.
The summer period, from 1 April to 31 October
It is at this time that the change will be most significant. Off-peak hours will be distributed differently: a minimum of 5 hours will be maintained at night, typically between 11pm and 7am, but an additional 2 to 3 hours will now be positioned in the middle of the day. These will be between 11am and 5pm. This time slot corresponds to peak photovoltaic production, when electricity is most abundant and sometimes surplus to requirements on the grid.
To remember: The major element of this reform is the total disappearance of off-peak hours between 7am and 11am in the morning, and between 5pm and 11pm in the evening. These time slots, which previously corresponded to off-peak hours for some households, systematically become peak hours under the new system.
It should also be noted that the precise times vary from region to region. It is the distribution network operator, Enedis, that defines the time slots adapted to local consumption and production conditions. These timeslots are defined within the general framework set by the CRE.
Who is affected by the reform?
Of the 14.5 million French customers who have subscribed to the peak/off-peak option, around 11 million are directly affected by this reform. The main eligibility criterion is technical: only households and businesses equipped with a Linky meter can benefit from the new system. These communicating meters make it possible to apply variable time slots and modify them remotely without any physical intervention.
Customers not equipped with Linky meters will temporarily retain their old off-peak system. They will gradually be switched over to the new system as their meters are replaced.
Each customer concerned receives notification from their electricity supplier at least one month before the effective change to their time slots. This notification specifies the new off-peak time slots applicable. These slots can also be consulted in the supplier's online customer area.
For companies with fleets of electric vehicles, it is crucial to identify as soon as possible whether sites are affected by the reform and the exact date on which the changeover will take place. By anticipating this, they can adjust their recharging strategies and avoid unforeseen additional costs.
Why reform off-peak hours?
The reform of off-peak hours is the result of a profound transformation of the French electricity system. For decades, nuclear power was the backbone of the country's electricity production. Production was stable and continuous, and therefore difficult to adjust. Night-time off-peak hours made it possible to absorb this surplus production during periods of low consumption.
Today, France's energy mix is changing radically. The massive development of photovoltaics is transforming electricity production curves. Solar panels generate maximum output in the middle of the day, particularly during the summer months. This solar-generated electricity is abundant, renewable and available at very competitive prices.
Want to find out more about photovoltaics? Download our guide Photovoltaic panels for dummies.
The electricity grid is therefore facing a new challenge. On a sunny afternoon, production regularly exceeds consumption. On the electricity markets, this sometimes results in negative prices, where producers have to pay to sell their surplus. Conversely, consumption peaks now occur in the evening, between 6pm and 9pm, when solar panels are no longer producing but demand remains high.
A reform that adapts to new uses
New energy uses have accentuated this trend. Teleworking, which has accelerated since 2020, is changing consumption patterns, with more people at home during the day. The increasing electrification of car fleets is adding a significant load to the network, with vehicles traditionally recharged at night. These new behaviours require pricing mechanisms to be adapted to avoid congestion on the network.
The aim of the reform is therefore twofold. Firstly, to encourage consumers to use electricity when it is plentiful and renewable. Secondly, it seeks to reduce pressure on the network during periods of tension (particularly winter evenings).
For managers of electric fleets, this reform is an opportunity to rethink recharging strategies. These new opportunities may be relevant for vehicles parked on site during the day.
Consequences for recharging your electric car
Reduced time for night-time recharging
The first direct consequence of the reform concerns night-time recharging. This strategy is favoured by the majority of companies with electric fleets. Reducing night-time off-peak hours therefore poses a major operational challenge.
In practical terms, a full charge at a 7.4 kW professional charging point generally takes between 7 and 10 hours for a standard electric vehicle with a battery from 50 to 60 kWh. With only 5 to 6 hours of off-peak time available at night, fleet managers are faced with two options: accept an incomplete charge or see part of the charge spill over into peak hours.
The financial impact can be significant. According to simulations carried out by a number of industry observers, the extra cost associated with peak-time overflow can represent an increase of between 8% and 14% in the energy bill dedicated to recharging. For a company managing a dozen or so electric vehicles with daily recharging, this could translate into a much higher annual cost.
This reform will therefore require a review of practices. Vehicles will have to be plugged in earlier, charging points will potentially have to be more powerful and we will certainly have to think about integrating additional charging during the day.
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Opportunities with off-peak hours during the day
While the reform restricts night-time charging, it paradoxically opens up unprecedented opportunities for businesses. The introduction of 2 to 3 off-peak hours in the middle of the day, notably between 11am and 5pm during the summer period, is transforming the recharging possibilities for company fleets. Employees' company cars on site can now be recharged at a reduced rate during the working day. This will also prevent charging points from becoming saturated at night.
For companies that have invested in photovoltaic installations, the timing is perfect. The solar energy produced at midday can be used directly to power the charging points, providing a double saving: an off-peak tariff from the grid and self-consumption of the local production. The combination of the two can reduce the energy cost of recharging while improving the fleet's carbon footprint.
This development also benefits teleworking employees who have a charging point at home. Rather than systematically recharging at night, they can plug in their electric vehicle during their working hours at home to benefit from the reduced rate. This flexibility fits in perfectly with the new hybrid organisations, where company vehicles alternate between being in the office and working from home.
To make the most of this opportunity, however, companies need to adapt their organisation. It is essential to have a sufficient number of charging points on site to allow vehicles to plug in during the day.
Two-way charging technologies (V2G)
The reform of off-peak times gives new relevance to two-way charging technologies, known by the acronym V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid). This system enables an electric vehicle to consume electricity from the grid, but also to return it when necessary. We talk about this in more detail in our article on V2G, V2L and V2X.
V2G is still not widely used in France, mainly for regulatory and technical reasons. Not all electric vehicles are equipped with this bi-directional capability, and compatible charging points can be expensive. However, recent regulatory changes and the growing interest shown by manufacturers suggest that this technology will develop rapidly in the years ahead.
Charging stations: adapting your business infrastructure
Optimising your company charging points
With less time available during off-peak hours at night, the power of charging points is becoming a valuable parameter for company fleets. The choice between a 3.7kW, 7.4kW, 11kW or 22kW charging point is no longer just a question of comfort, but a strategic lever for optimising charges.
In addition to power, intelligent scheduling of recharging is an essential lever for optimisation. Modern charging stations incorporate scheduling functions that allow you to precisely define charging times. For example, a vehicle that is plugged in at 8pm can be programmed not to start charging until 11pm, at the start of off-peak hours.
Some charging stations also offer dynamic power management systems, intelligently distributing the available energy between several vehicles connected simultaneously. This feature prevents the building's electricity network from being overloaded, while optimising the charging time for each vehicle during advantageous time slots.
Control and home automation solutions
Optimising recharging in the context of the 2025 off-peak reform will necessarily require the adoption of intelligent control solutions.
These connected systems transform recharge management from a tedious manual task into an automated, optimised process. Modern control systems connect directly to Linky meters via standardised communication protocols. This connection enables the charging points to know in real time which off-peak periods are applicable.
In addition, real-time monitoring applications give fleet managers complete visibility of the charging status of their vehicles. From a smartphone or computer, it is possible to check the charge level of each vehicle, the energy costs incurred, the recharging slots scheduled and the savings made through tariff optimisation.
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Coupling with solar self-consumption
By positioning advantageous tariff periods in the middle of the day between 11am and 5pm, the 2025 reform of off-peak hours creates a perfect convergence with company photovoltaic installations. This synchronisation between solar production and off-peak hours opens up particularly interesting prospects for optimising the energy and cost efficiency of electric fleets.
What's more, the combination of electric recharging and solar generation considerably improves the fleet's carbon footprint. The vehicles are powered by locally-generated, renewable 100% electricity. This multiplies the environmental benefits of electrification. For companies committed to ambitious CSR initiatives, this configuration represents a strong and verifiable communication argument.
Conclusion
The reform of off-peak hours in 2025 marks a turning point in the energy management of corporate electric fleets. While the reduction in night-time recharging at reduced rates means that adjustments will have to be made, this development also opens up strategic opportunities for organisations that are able to adapt. The introduction of off-peak hours in the middle of the day is creating an unprecedented convergence in the recharging needs of business vehicles.
The electrification of fleets remains a strategically relevant decision despite this tariff overhaul. The fuel savings, reduced maintenance costs and environmental benefits far outweigh the adjustments needed to optimise charging for the new off-peak times. The key lies in anticipating and adapting infrastructures.
For fleet managers, the time has come to audit their recharging facilities with electrification specialists. The energy transition is gathering pace, and companies that anticipate it will turn this reform into a competitive advantage.
