San Diego EV Charging Cost Calculator for SDG&E Rates

PowerSaver

Save Money on SDGE in the WinterAbout

Compare EV Charging Costs vs Gasoline on SDGE Plans

Calculate your potential savings and find the best charging times

EV Car

Battery Capacity: 65 kWh (1.9 gallons equivalent)

Adjust the battery size of the electric vehicle

Estimated Range: 260 miles

Common sizes: Tesla Model 3 (50-82 kWh), Chevy Bolt (65 kWh), Ford Mach-E (70-91 kWh). 65 is a good starting point.

Cost per Mile:

$0.03

Using EV-TOU-5 super off-peak energy pricing

Gas Vehicle

Gas Price: $6.14/gallon

Adjust current gas prices in your area

per gallon

Fuel Economy: 33 MPG

Adjust the vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Cost per Mile:

$0.19

Cost Comparison

Compare costs for: 500 miles

Adjust to see costs for different trip distances

EV Charging Cost:

$15.14

Using EV-TOU-5 super off-peak energy pricing

Gas Cost:

$93.03

At $6.14/gallon, 33 MPG

Your Savings

Save 84% on Fuel Costs

$77.89 savings for 500 miles

Maximize Your Savings with SDGE EV Plans

If you have or are considering an electric vehicle, SDGE offers special rate plans designed to save you money on charging:

SDGE EV-TOU-5: Ideal if you can charge during super off-peak hours (12 AM - 6 AM and 10 AM - 2 PM weekdays, 12 AM - 2 PM weekends/holidays). Offers the lowest rates for overnight and mid-day charging.
SDGE TOU-ELEC: A good alternative that provides balanced rates throughout the day. Best if you need more flexibility in charging times.

These are energy-only comparisons. SDG&E's fixed Base Services Charge is about $24.15/month for standard residential customers and applies whether you charge an EV or not.

Understanding MPGe

The EPA uses Miles Per Gallon equivalent (MPGe) to compare EVs to gas cars. While 33.7 kWh = 1 gallon of gas in energy content, EVs are much more efficient at converting that energy into miles driven, typically getting 4+ miles per kWh compared to 25-30 miles per gallon for gas cars.

Summer Charging Costs

SDGE EV-TOU-5

Peak:
Per charge: $52.19
Per mile: $0.20
Off-Peak:
Per charge: $32.88
Per mile: $0.13
Super Off-Peak:
Per charge: $8.35
Per mile: $0.03

SDGE TOU-DR1 (default plan)

Peak:
Per charge: $45.22
Per mile: $0.17
Off-Peak:
Per charge: $30.88
Per mile: $0.12
Super Off-Peak:
Per charge: $25.20
Per mile: $0.10

Winter Charging Costs

SDGE EV-TOU-5

Peak:
Per charge: $34.62
Per mile: $0.13
Off-Peak:
Per charge: $30.95
Per mile: $0.12
Super Off-Peak:
Per charge: $7.87
Per mile: $0.03

SDGE TOU-DR1 (default plan)

Peak:
Per charge: $40.38
Per mile: $0.16
Off-Peak:
Per charge: $35.07
Per mile: $0.13
Super Off-Peak:
Per charge: $29.17
Per mile: $0.11

Weekday Charging

Best: 12 AM - 6 AM

Super Off-Peak Rate

Also Best: 10 AM - 2 PM

Super Off-Peak Rate

OK: 6 AM - 10 AM, 2 PM - 4 PM

Off-Peak Rate

Bad: 4 PM - 9 PM

Peak Rate

Weekend Charging

Best: 12 AM - 2 PM

Extended Super Off-Peak

Gross: 2 PM - 4 PM

Off-Peak Rate

Bad: 4 PM - 9 PM

Peak Rate

Understanding the Math

EV Cost Calculation:

1. Charge Cost = Battery Size (kWh) × Rate ($/kWh)

2. Range = Battery Size × 4 miles/kWh (typical estimate)

3. Cost per Mile = Charge Cost ÷ Range

Gas Cost Calculation:

1. Cost per Mile = Gas Price per Gallon ÷ Miles per Gallon

2. Example: $6.14/gallon ÷ 33 MPG = $0.19/mile

Notes:

We use 4 miles/kWh as a typical estimate for EV efficiency
The EPA rates efficiency in MPGe (Miles Per Gallon equivalent) where 33.7 kWh = 1 gallon of gas energy
Actual efficiency varies based on driving conditions, temperature, and driving style
Check the EPA's official fuel economy ratings →