SDG&E offers special plug-in vehicle rates that make it easy for you to save money while charging your vehicle at home. On these special time-of-use (TOU) rates, the price of electricity is lowest at night, which means you can save the most money by setting your car to charge from midnight to 5 a.m. During this time is when most homes and businesses are using less energy. Unlike the more common tiered household electricity rate, the price does not increase as you use more electricity – price varies only by the time of day.
TOU rates are offered to encourage customers to limit daytime usage of electricity, when demand for electricity is highest. These rates can reduce your electricity bill if most of electricity usage occurs during the late night and early morning.
The EV-TOU rate requires a separate meter – one for your house and one dedicated to your EV. The EV meter tracks your vehicle’s electricity use separately from the rest of your home. A licensed electrician is required to install your dedicated vehicle meter.
The EV-TOU-2 rate uses your existing household meter to track electricity used by both your home and your vehicle. Since all your electricity is measured by one meter, the time-of-use price applies to all the electricity you use, and the time of day prices do not change as you use more electricity. On TOU rates, the price of electricity varies only by time of day. On TOU rates, electricity is at its lowest price between midnight and 5 a.m. If most of your electricity use occurs during the day, TOU rates may not be the best rate for you.
If you’re currently on SDG&E’s “DR” rate, identify the price “Tier” you are in. If your electric usage occurs mostly at night, and you’re in Tiers 1 – 3, TOU rates will likely benefit you.
How much electricity will your EV use?
Your auto dealer and your vehicle’s EPA window sticker can provide information needed to estimate your energy usage based on the number of miles you drive each month. If your EV usage will move you from Tiers 1-3 to Tier 4, EV TOU rates will likely benefit you.
Email our customer service center for questions and information about rate options.
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