For electric vehicle owners in the SDG&E service area, understanding the pricing is crucial for managing charging costs. This program offers time-of-use rates designed to encourage charging during off-peak hours, saving you money and supporting a greener grid.
Time-of-Use Pricing Explained
The SDG&E Electric Car Program utilizes a time-of-use rate structure, dividing the day into different periods with varying electricity prices. These periods are:
- Super Off-Peak: The most economical time to charge your EV, with significantly lower rates. This period is from midnight to 6:00 a.m. daily, and also includes 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays in March and April, and midnight to 2:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Charging during these hours can lead to substantial savings. The illustrative pricing is 11.1¢ per kWh.
- Off-Peak: These are all other hours outside of Super Off-Peak and On-Peak. While rates are higher than Super Off-Peak, they are still more affordable than On-Peak. The illustrative pricing is 42.3¢ per kWh.
- On-Peak: The most expensive period, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. Avoid charging during these hours if possible to minimize costs. The illustrative pricing is 46.9¢ per kWh.
Reduce Your Use (RYU) Events
The program also includes Reduce Your Use (RYU) events. On days when energy demand is high, SDG&E may issue an RYU event. During these events, which typically occur between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., a higher rate of $1.16 per kWh applies. SDG&E will notify you of these events, so ensure your contact information is updated in My Energy Center to receive alerts and conserve energy during these times. Up to 18 RYU events can be called annually. It’s important to note that customers cannot receive incentive payments from demand response programs and the Reduce Your Use event pricing for the same energy conservation period.
Monthly Service Fee
In addition to the time-of-use rates, there is a monthly basic service fee of $16 associated with this plan. This fee is consistent regardless of your energy consumption.
Conclusion
By understanding the SDG&E Electric Car Program‘s time-of-use rates and being mindful of RYU events, electric vehicle owners can optimize their charging schedule to take advantage of lower prices and contribute to a more sustainable energy future. For complete pricing details, including potential adjustments and additional program information, it is recommended to visit the SDG&E website and review the Total Electric Rates section and complete pricing schedules. This plan is available for both SDG&E delivery and generation customers.
