Utility EV Rate Structures
Utility EV rates: which plan lowers charging cost
Utility-by-utility analyses of EV rates, time-of-use plans, whole-home and separately metered options, and fixed monthly charges. The same car and mileage can cost twice as much to charge on one plan as another, so the rate often matters as much as the vehicle.
Drive Economics has no affiliation with, sponsorship from, or endorsement by any automaker, dealer, charger maker, utility or program named here.
The short answer
- Time-of-use and EV-specific plans lower charging cost only when most charging happens in the off-peak window. The savings shrink as more charging slips into peak hours; several case studies show the effect in dollars.
- Fixed monthly charges and separate-meter fees can outweigh a lower per-kWh price at low mileage. The break-even mileage is shown on each page.
- Whole-home time-of-use plans also reprice the rest of the household’s use, which can raise or lower the total bill depending on when the home uses power.
- Managed charging programs that pay per kWh or per month are covered in Managed Charging & V2G.
Analyses by state
Each page compares the utility’s plans for the same driver profile and links the tariff source.
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California3 analyses
PG&E EV2-A Rate vs. E-1 Tiered: Is It Worth It?
PG&E EV2-A vs. E-1 tiered: off-peak EV charging near $0.31/kWh vs. $0.44 saves up to $585 a year, but only with disciplined off-peak charging.
Read →SCE EV Rates: TOU-D-PRIME vs. TOU-D-4-9PM Compared
SCE TOU-D-PRIME vs. TOU-D-4-9PM for EV owners: lower off-peak prices against a $24 monthly charge, and which plan wins at typical mileage.
Read →SDG&E EV-TOU-5: How the Super Off-Peak EV Rate Works
SDG&E EV-TOU-5 delivers America's largest utility rate spread (6× Super Off-Peak to On-Peak). What SDG&E's data reveals about EV rate design.
Read →Massachusetts2 analyses
Eversource MA EV Rates: R-4 TOU vs. ConnectedSolutions
Eversource Massachusetts EV owners can choose R-4 time-of-use or stay on flat R-1 with ConnectedSolutions cashback. Break-even mileage for each.
Read →National Grid MA EV Rates: R-2 TOU vs. ConnectedSolutions
National Grid Massachusetts EV owners can choose R-2 time-of-use or flat R-1 with ConnectedSolutions cashback. Break-even mileage for each path.
Read →New Jersey2 analyses
JCP&L New Jersey EV Program: Make-Ready and Rewards
JCP&L New Jersey EV Driven program: up to $7,000 in make-ready support plus off-peak charging rewards. What it covers and what drivers still pay.
Read →PSE&G NJ Residential EV Charging Program: $6,500
PSE&G New Jersey covers up to $6,500 of residential Level 2 make-ready costs. What the program pays for, what drivers buy, and how NJ Charge Up fits.
Read →New York2 analyses
Con Edison EV Rates: Standard vs. Time-of-Use in NY
Con Edison EV rates for New York City and Westchester: the standard flat rate vs. whole-home time-of-use, supply vs. delivery, and break-even miles.
Read →PSEG Long Island EV Rates: Rate 195 vs. Rate 194
PSEG Long Island EV rates for Nassau and Suffolk: Rate 195 super off-peak near $0.14/kWh overnight vs. Rate 194 time-of-day and the flat rate.
Read →Pennsylvania3 analyses
Duquesne Light EV Rates and Rewards: Pittsburgh Area
Duquesne Light EV options in western Pennsylvania: signup bonus, Smart Charging Rewards with summer peak events, and time-of-use rate choices.
Read →FirstEnergy Pennsylvania EV Rates: Met-Ed, Penelec, More
FirstEnergy Pennsylvania EV options across Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power: rates, rewards and what a typical EV driver pays.
Read →PPL Electric EV Rates and Rewards: Pennsylvania
PPL Electric EV options: an unusual time-of-use rate where winter on-peak beats the flat rate, plus two mutually exclusive EV rewards programs.
Read →About these analyses
Rates are taken from published tariffs and dated on each page. Utility rates change at least yearly; check the tariff link before relying on a number.
Drive Economics has no affiliation with, sponsorship from, or endorsement by any automaker, dealer, charger maker, utility or program named here.