Many utilities offer cheaper electricity overnight. Enter your plan’s standard and off-peak rates to see what scheduling your EV charging is worth.
Counts EV charging only. Time-of-use plans usually raise peak-hour prices for the rest of your home too, so check your whole-home usage before switching.
How time-of-use savings work
On a time-of-use (TOU) plan, the price of electricity depends on when you use it. Late evening and overnight hours are usually the cheapest because demand on the grid is low. Since most EVs sit parked overnight, they can do nearly all their charging at the lowest rate.
The calculator multiplies your EV’s monthly energy use by the difference between your standard rate and the off-peak rate. For example, a Tesla Model Y driven 1,000 miles a month uses about 246 kWh from the wall. If off-peak power is 6¢ cheaper than your flat rate, that’s about $15 a month, or $180 a year.
Check the whole bill. TOU plans usually charge more during peak hours, often late afternoon and early evening. If you run air conditioning, cook and do laundry at peak times, those higher prices can cancel out your EV savings. Most utilities have an online rate comparison tool that uses your past usage.
Where to find your rates
- Search your utility’s website for “time-of-use,” “EV rate” or “electric vehicle plan.”
- Look for the total price per kWh in each period, including delivery charges, not just the supply rate. Here’s how.
- Some utilities offer a separate EV-only meter or rate; others apply TOU pricing to the whole home.
Read the full guide: Time-of-use electricity plans for EV owners, explained.