Time-of Use (TOU) Rate for EV Owners

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) offers an optional time-of-use (TOU) rate plan for electric vehicle (EV) owners. The TOU rate plan encourages customers to shift electricity usage and charging their EV to the times of day when electricity demand is lower. 

By shifting electricity usage, such as EV charging to off-peak hours, you can save on your electric bill.

What is the TOU rate?

EV customers who enroll in this rate will be charged two different prices depending on when they use electricity. Here is how it works:

Is TOU right for you?

Use the graph below to find out if TOU is right for you.

Before starting, calculate your average monthly usage for the past 12 months. Your monthly usage can be found on your bill or through your My Account customer portal. You will use this average to determine if enrolling in the TOU rate is right for you.

Understanding the graph (these scenarios are for illustrative purposes only):

• The lines on the graph illustrate savings in three scenarios when switching to the TOU rate
  • Scenario 1 (Green): The amount of electricity used during peak hours is minimal
    
    A typical customer in scenario 1 can be a house hold of one, does not come home until 8 PM, and charges their EV after 9 PM
    
    
  • Scenario 2 (Yellow): There is some electricity usage during peak hours
    
    Customers in scenario 2, may start preparing dinner at 6 PM, uses their electric dryer, and charges their EV after 9 PM
    
    
  • Scenario 3 (Orange): Significant amounts of electricity is used during peak hours
    
    A customer in scenario 3, may have a partner and each drive an electric vehicle. They also commute from far for work and need to make sure that the cars are fully charged for the long commute. They also using their electric appliances between 6 PM and 9 PM before bed. 
• The graph will provide an estimated amount of savings based on the amount of usage during on-peak hours
• Keep in mind that you can change scenarios by adjusting your electrical usage between the hours of 5 PM to 9 PM 

Using the graph

1. Take your average monthly usage that you calculated and find that number on x-axis
2. Select your scenario
3. The intersecting point between the scenario chosen and the average monthly usage on the x-axis will be associated and line up to the estimated bill savings on the y-axis 
4. Try out different scenarios to see potential bill savings. Remember that each scenarios is based on the amount usage during the on-peak hours, weekdays between 5 PM to 9 PM

Example:

• If an AMP customer has an average monthly usage of 700 kWh : 
  • Scenario 1, if the customer has low usage during on-on peak hours, the savings would be estimated to be $30 per month
  • Scenario 2, if the customer has moderate amounts of usage during on-peak hours the savings would be estimated to be $15 per month
  • Scenario 3, if the customer has high usage during on-peak hours, the TOU rate would not benefit the customer.