--- title: "Time-of-Use Rates and EV Charging" description: "Time-of-use electricity plans charge less at off-peak hours. Here is how they change the cost of charging an EV and how to use them." url: https://evchargecosts.com/guides/time-of-use-rates-ev-charging/ updated: 2026-10-26 --- # Time-of-Use Rates and EV Charging Time-of-use (TOU) plans price electricity by the hour. Charging overnight at an off-peak rate can cut the cost below the state average we show, which is 18.16¢/kWh for the U.S. average (August 2026). By [EV Charge Cost Editorial Team](https://evchargecosts.com/about/). Published September 28, 2026, updated October 26, 2026. ## How TOU plans work Utilities split the day into peak, off-peak and sometimes super off-peak periods. Peak hours are usually late afternoon and evening, when demand is highest. Some utilities also offer EV-specific plans or separate meters for the charger. ## How to calculate your savings - Find your off-peak price per kWh on your utility's rate page or bill. - Enter it as "Your electricity price" in the [charging cost calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/). - Compare the result with your current flat rate. ## Make it automatic - Set a charging schedule in the car or charger app so charging starts after peak hours end. - A Level 2 charger helps if the off-peak window is short. See [Level 1 vs Level 2 charging](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/level-1-vs-level-2-charging/). - Check whether the plan raises prices for the rest of your household's peak-hour use. Rates and plan names differ by utility. We do not list individual utility tariffs; use the price on your own bill. ## What an off-peak discount is worth The savings depend on how far below your average price the off-peak rate sits. The table applies illustrative discounts to the U.S. average price for a 33.5 kWh/100 mi EV driven 13,500 miles a year. Use your utility's real rates for your own figure. **Illustrative off-peak discounts and yearly charging cost** | Off-peak discount (illustration) | Off-peak price | Charging per year | Saved per year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 0% | 18.16¢/kWh | $821.29 | $0.00 | | 20% | 14.53¢/kWh | $657.03 | $164.26 | | 30% | 12.71¢/kWh | $574.90 | $246.39 | | 40% | 10.90¢/kWh | $492.77 | $328.52 | | 50% | 9.08¢/kWh | $410.64 | $410.65 | ## Does your off-peak window fit your charging? A typical EV needs about 12.4 kWh a day at 13,500 miles a year. A 32 A Level 2 charger (7.68 kW) delivers that in about 1 h 37 min; a 120 V outlet (1.44 kW) needs about 8 h 36 min. If your off-peak window is shorter than the Level 1 time, a Level 2 charger lets you keep all charging inside it. ## Watch the rest of your usage - TOU plans often raise the peak price. Air conditioning, cooking and laundry in peak hours can cancel the EV savings. - Some utilities offer EV-only plans or separately metered chargers that leave the rest of the house on a flat rate. - Seasonal peak windows can shift in summer and winter; check both. More: [the cheapest time to charge](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cheapest-time-to-charge-an-ev/) and [smart chargers and scheduling](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/smart-ev-chargers-and-scheduling/). ## Checklist before switching plans - Download your last 12 months of usage from your utility account; many utilities provide hourly data. - Estimate your EV's monthly kWh: miles per month × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100. At 13,500 miles a year and 33.5 kWh/100 mi that is about 377 kWh a month. - Price your existing household usage under both plans, then add the EV kWh at the off-peak rate on the TOU plan. - Check for fixed monthly charges, minimum terms and seasonal differences in the TOU plan. - Set the car or charger schedule the day the new plan starts, so no charging slips into peak hours. If the numbers are close, the deciding factor is usually whether the household can shift dishwashers, laundry and other flexible loads out of the peak window as well. ## Run your own numbers - [Charging cost calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/) - [EV vs gas calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/ev-vs-gas/) - [Charging time calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/charging-time/) - [Cost in your state](https://evchargecosts.com/states/) - [How we calculate](https://evchargecosts.com/methodology/) ## Related guides - [How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-charge-an-ev-at-home/) - [How Much Will an EV Raise My Electric Bill?](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/how-much-will-an-ev-raise-my-electric-bill/) - [How Much Does It Cost to Fully Charge an Electric Car?](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cost-to-fully-charge-an-electric-car/) - [Public Fast Charging vs Home Charging: Cost Compared](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/public-fast-charging-vs-home-charging-cost/) - [How to Find Your Electricity Rate per kWh on Your Bill](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/how-to-find-your-electricity-rate/) - [Tiered Electricity Rates and EV Charging](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/tiered-electricity-rates-ev-charging/) [All 59 guides](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/) ## Questions people ask ### Is it cheaper to charge an EV at night? On a time-of-use plan, usually yes, because off-peak prices are lower. On a flat-rate plan, the price is the same at any hour. ### Should I switch to a time-of-use plan for my EV? It helps if most of your EV charging and other heavy use can move to off-peak hours. Compare your last few bills against the TOU prices before switching. --- Source page: https://evchargecosts.com/guides/time-of-use-rates-ev-charging/ Data: EIA (electricity August 2026, gasoline 2026-10-19), EPA fueleconomy.gov. License: CC BY 4.0.