The cost of electricity could change every half an hour under new powers of the energy regulator Ofgem.
This new variable electric traffic is possible thanks to smart meters recoding data on the energy usage of UK homes.
The proposed 'Time of use tariffs (tou) will see customers charged more at peak times and less quieter times.
Smart meter next to an energy bill. Three quarters of Britons expect their utilities bills will increase this year and more than a third say they are putting cost cutting before environmental concerns.
Peter Byrne
Anyone currently with a smart meter can do this now - if they opt in.
Making regular updates the default could give millions more households access to time of use tariffs.
Scottish Power, EDF and Octopus Energy, which has 11million customers between them, support the changes the Telegraph reports.
According to Citizen's Advice, bill payers could benefit from lower prices, particularly if they shift their usage to quieter times when prices are cheaper.
But it has said that there are risks that it could make tariffs too complex and lead to higher costs for consumers.
Most energy customers are on tariffs that charge a flat rate for usage.
A small number of households with smart meters who have already opted in to half-hourly updates can access time use tariffs.
EDF, Scottish Power and Octopus are among the suppliers offering them now.
