Pittsburgh EV owner says 8-cent overnight charging is wiped out by 35-cent peak ratesThe Cool DownAaron GoldsteinSat, September 26, 2026 at 7:14 PM UTCAdd us on GooglePhoto Credit: iStockCheap overnight charging can make EV ownership even more affordable, but only if the rest of a household's electricity use does not wipe out the savings.That tension is at the center of a debate among Pittsburgh-area drivers over whether a time-of-use plan from the utility Duquesne Light actually saves money.Here's what to knowIn a Reddit thread on the site's r/ElectricVehicles forum, the original poster wrote, "I am perfectly happy to charge my EV at off-peak times, but I don't think it would save any money for customers of Duquesne Light in Pittsburgh."AdvertisementAdvertisementUnder the plan the OP described, overnight electricity would cost about 8 cents per kWh, compared with the standard 14-cent supply rate. But power used from 3 to 9 p.m. would jump to 35 cents per kWh, a costly stretch that overlaps with hours when many homes run air conditioning.OP then asked the Reddit community, "I wonder what the justification is for such a high peak rate in the TOU plan?"As the top comment put it: "TOU rates are designed to shift your usage off the peak periods. That's why it is so expensive."Using the numbers in the post, another commenter said a household would have to keep roughly 78% of its electricity use in off-peak hours just to break even, suggesting the plan only works if most demand can be moved out of the expensive window.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnother commenter wrote: "The question is whether it's sub-metered or not. If you have a separate meter/sub meter for your car, it makes a lot of sense. If the whole thing runs through your house, it may not make a lot of sense at all."Other commenters said they have made similar plans work by moving more of their electricity use, including cooling, laundry, dishes, and EV charging, to cheaper periods. One person already on that rate said it has been "still net positive" for their household, while another described pre-cooling the home with thermostat settings before peak pricing starts.What can be done?The comments section suggested confirming exactly what the pricing plan covers first. That means finding out whether it applies only to EV charging or to the whole household, and possibly contacting the utility, checking with an account manager, or using a rate calculator if one is available.The lower off-peak price may still be worthwhile for households that already charge overnight and can move big appliance use outside the 3-to-9 p.m. period. Scheduled charging, smart thermostats, and pre-cooling or pre-heating can help make that practical.AdvertisementAdvertisementSome commenters floated larger solutions, such as adding a second meter for EV charging or using a home battery to charge overnight. But others noted that added fixed fees, energy losses, and battery costs can quickly eat into any savings.Where can I learn more?For more on how utility rates shape EV savings, these stories break down when home charging is cheap and when pricing can eat into the benefit.• In Washington, 0.08 nighttime charging made one driver's EV savings hard to ignore.• Across the US, home EV charging still runs about 5 to 6 cents a mile.• A Yale map showed fueling costs of EVs versus gas cars.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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