Off-Peak EV Charging: Save 30–50% on Your Electric Bill
Time-of-use electricity rates let you charge your EV at night for as little as $0.06–$0.10/kWh — half the standard rate in most states.
What is Time-of-Use (TOU) Pricing?
TOU rates charge different prices for electricity at different times of day. Peak hours (typically 4–9 PM on weekdays) are most expensive. Off-peak hours (11 PM–7 AM) are cheapest — often 40–60% less than peak rates. EVs are perfect for TOU plans because they charge overnight when you sleep.
How Much Can You Save?
A Tesla Model Y driving 15,000 miles/year uses about 4,300 kWh. At PG&E's peak rate of $0.47/kWh that's $2,021/year. At their off-peak EV rate of $0.13/kWh that's only $559/year — a savings of $1,462. Even in states with small TOU differences, off-peak charging saves $200–$500/year.
How to Set Up Off-Peak Charging
Step 1: Call your utility and ask about EV or TOU rate plans. Step 2: Install a smart Level 2 charger with scheduling (ChargePoint, JuiceBox, Wallbox all support this). Step 3: Set your charging schedule to start after 11 PM and finish by 6 AM. Most modern EVs also have built-in departure time scheduling in their apps.
Utilities with the Best EV Rates (2026)
PG&E (California): EV2-A rate — $0.13/kWh off-peak. SDG&E (California): EV-TOU2 — $0.10/kWh super off-peak. Xcel Energy (Colorado, Texas): EV Accelerate at Home — $0.08/kWh overnight. Duke Energy (NC, SC): EV Rate — flat $0.12/kWh for overnight charging. Eversource (CT, MA, NH): Time-of-Use EV rate — varies.