SDG&E EV Rates Explained: The Best Time to Charge Your EV at Home in San Diego

Installing a Level 2 charger is only half the story. In San Diego, when you charge can matter as much as how you charge, because SDG&E prices electricity by time of day. Charge at the wrong hour and you pay peak prices. Charge at the right hour and the same miles cost a fraction as much.

Here's a plain-English look at SDG&E's time-of-use periods, the EV-specific plans, and how to set up your charger so it does the work for you.

How SDG&E Time-of-Use Pricing Works

Most SDG&E residential customers are on a time-of-use (TOU) plan, which splits the day into pricing periods. On the three-period plans, including the EV plans, those periods are (SDG&E pricing plans):

The one window to avoid every day of the year is 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. That's exactly when most people get home and plug in, which is why a charging schedule is worth setting up.

New in 2026: Midday super off-peak, all year

The weekday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. super off-peak window used to apply only in March and April. SDG&E now offers it year-round (SDG&E extended super off-peak hours). If your car sits at home during the day, because you work from home, drive a second car to work, or are retired, you now have a second cheap window besides overnight.

SDG&E's EV Pricing Plans

SDG&E has several plans aimed at EV owners. The main ones (SDG&E pricing plans):

EV-TOU-5

SDG&E describes EV-TOU-5 as best for customers who can charge overnight or are on the Solar Billing Plan. It has the deepest super off-peak discount of SDG&E's plans, in exchange for a monthly basic service fee. To qualify, the vehicle must be registered with the California DMV (SDG&E EV-TOU-5 rate table).

EV-TOU-5-P

A version of EV-TOU-5 with lower pricing for most of the year, but SDG&E can call up to 18 "Reduce Your Use" event days per year, with a large extra charge for power used from 4 to 9 p.m. on those days. It can suit homes that can reliably cut back on event evenings, such as homes with a battery.

TOU-ELEC

Designed for electrified homes with an EV, battery storage, and/or an electric heat pump.

EV-TOU

For homes with a separate meter installed just to track EV charging.

If you're with San Diego Community Power or another CCA

If your electricity generation comes from a Community Choice Aggregator, SDG&E's posted prices cover delivery only, and your CCA sets generation pricing. The time periods still apply, so the scheduling advice below is the same.

How to Pick a Plan

SDG&E's own best tool is the pricing plan comparison in My Energy Center, which uses your actual usage history to compare up to three plans side by side (SDG&E pricing plans FAQ). A few things to keep in mind:

• Most plans require a 12-month commitment, so compare before you switch.
• Your whole house moves to the new plan, not just the car. EV-TOU-5 rewards homes that can shift a lot of usage to super off-peak and avoid 4–9 p.m.
• Enroll after your charger is installed. SDG&E's EV plan enrollment asks about your home charging setup.

Set Your Charger to Do the Work

The easiest way to stay in super off-peak is to let your car or charger handle the timing:

• Use your car's scheduled charging. Most EVs, including Teslas, let you set a charging start time or a "charge by" departure time in the car or app. Set it to start after midnight.
• Charge midday if the car is home. With the year-round 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. weekday window, a work-from-home driver can top up during lunch hours at the super off-peak price.
• Avoid "plug in and forget" at 5 p.m. Without a schedule, a car plugged in after work starts charging right in the on-peak window.

Why a Level 2 charger makes this easier

Overnight super off-peak runs six hours, from midnight to 6 a.m. A standard 120-volt outlet (Level 1) adds charge slowly, so a big daily commute may not fit in that window. A properly sized Level 2 charger, like a Tesla Wall Connector or a 240-volt NEMA 14-50 setup, adds charge much faster, making it far easier to fill up entirely inside the cheapest hours. Not sure which to choose? Read NEMA 14-50 vs a hardwired EV charger.

If you're charging two cars, power sharing between chargers can help both finish overnight without a panel upgrade. See charging two EVs at home.

Solar and Battery Owners

If you have solar, SDG&E notes that what you generate can help offset charging costs, depending on your system and when it was interconnected (SDG&E pricing plans FAQ). The midday super off-peak window also lines up with peak solar hours. If you have a Powerwall, the general idea on time-of-use plans is to use stored energy during the 4–9 p.m. peak instead of buying from the grid. Your best setup depends on whether you're on NEM or the Solar Billing Plan, so it's worth a look at your specific system.

Why Work With LTBL Energy

LTBL Energy is a licensed California electrical contractor (CSLB #1136922) and a Tesla Certified Installer for the Tesla Wall Connector and Powerwall. We size your charger to your panel and your driving, pull the permit, and make sure it's set up so you can charge in the cheapest hours. If your panel is tight, we'll tell you whether you need a panel upgrade for a Tesla Wall Connector before anything else. Learn more about our EV charger installation services.

FAQ

What is the cheapest time to charge an EV with SDG&E? During super off-peak: 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and 12 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

When is SDG&E on-peak? 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. every day, including weekends and holidays.

Do I have to switch to an EV plan? No. Many standard time-of-use plans also have super off-peak hours. Use the comparison tool in My Energy Center to see which plan fits your home's usage.

Can I change plans back if EV-TOU-5 doesn't work for me? Most SDG&E plans can only be changed once every 12 months, so compare carefully before switching.

Do I need a Level 2 charger to take advantage of off-peak rates? Not strictly, but a Level 2 charger makes it much easier to get a full charge within the six-hour overnight window.

Charge Smarter, Starting Tonight

Ready for a charger that fits your panel, your car, and SDG&E's cheapest hours? Request an EV charger installation quote or call or text LTBL Energy at 619-592-6097, and a real person will get back to you within the hour.