What changed
SDG&E has lowered the EV-TOU-5 super-off-peak rate from $0.22/kWh to $0.18/kWh for the 12am-6am window, effective April 2026. On-peak pricing (4pm-9pm) stays at ~$0.66/kWh. The rate differential between peak and super-off-peak is now 3.7×, making scheduled overnight charging more economically obvious than ever.
Why this matters for San Diego EV owners
The math on whole-home load management is now stronger. For a typical SD County home with an existing 100A panel, two paths to handle an EV charger:
- Path A — full 200A service upgrade. $2,500-4,500 installed, but you can charge any time.
- Path B — 100A panel + load management + EV-TOU-5. $600-1,200 for the load management device + scheduled charging only in the super-off-peak window. On an 11,000-mile-per-year EV, the rate savings alone pay back Path B in 12-18 months.
For many 1970s-90s homes in Chula Vista, Spring Valley, La Mesa — where the existing 100A panel is otherwise fine — Path B is now the clear winner. We run the load calc per NEC 220.87 and quote both paths so the homeowner can pick.
Enrollment
Existing SDG&E residential customers enroll in EV-TOU-5 directly through their online account. No rate change fee. The plan is revenue-neutral for SDG&E — it just shifts when you’re charged what — so the savings are real, not a teaser.
Next steps
If you’re planning an EV charger install, ask us about Path A vs Path B during the quote. Our EV charger install page covers both options. Or call (858) 808-6055.
Source: SDG&E EV rate plans. Verify current rates directly with SDG&E — utility pricing can adjust mid-year via CPUC rulings.