EV Time-of-Use Charging: How to Save With Xcel Energy Rate Plans
Xcel Energy in Minnesota offers two EV-specific rate plans that can dramatically reduce your home charging costs. The catch is that they’re not automatic — you have to enroll, and you have to configure your charger to use the off-peak hours. The savings are real. Homeowners who switch typically cut their EV charging electricity cost by 40-60%. Here’s how the plans work, when to enroll, and the technical setup on your home charger.
Xcel’s Two EV Rate Plans
**Plan 1 — Time-of-Day EV Rate (separate meter):** Xcel installs a second meter dedicated to your EV charger circuit. The EV-only meter charges off-peak (typically 12am-6am) at the lowest residential rate, on-peak at a moderate rate. The rest of your house stays on your existing rate. Setup is more involved (Xcel installs the second meter, requires a separate charging circuit) but the savings on EV charging itself are largest.
**Plan 2 — Whole-Home Time-of-Use:** Your entire house goes on a time-of-use rate — low overnight, moderate midday, high during weekday afternoon/evening peak. Works for households that can shift other loads (dishwasher, laundry, water heater) to off-peak hours too. Easier setup (no second meter needed) but requires household behavior change. Best for households that already do laundry at night.
Configuring Your Charger to Use Off-Peak Hours
Most modern Level 2 chargers have built-in scheduling that lets you set off-peak charging windows. **Tesla Wall Connector:** Tesla mobile app → Settings → Charging → Schedule Charging — set start time (e.g., 12:30am) and stop time (e.g., 5:30am). **ChargePoint Home Flex:** ChargePoint app → device settings → Schedule. **Wallbox Pulsar Plus:** Wallbox app → schedule charging. **JuiceBox:** mobile app → schedule. Most chargers let you set per-day schedules so weekend hours can differ from weekdays.
If your charger doesn’t have built-in scheduling (older or simpler models), you can use the car’s onboard schedule instead — Tesla, Ford, GM, Rivian, and most newer EVs let you set the car to start charging at a specific time regardless of when you plug in. Set the car’s schedule to match the Xcel off-peak window. Some homeowners use both (car AND charger scheduling) for redundancy.
The Math: What You Actually Save
Typical home EV charging: 8-12 kWh per day for an average driver, ~3,000 kWh per year. At Xcel’s standard residential rate (~13¢/kWh), that’s ~$390/year for EV electricity. At the off-peak EV rate (~7¢/kWh), the same charging costs ~$210/year — savings of $180/year. For a heavy driver doing 15,000-20,000 miles/year (5,000-6,000 kWh annually), savings hit $250-350/year.
Enrollment is free. Xcel doesn’t charge a fee to switch rate plans. The Time-of-Day EV Rate (Plan 1) does require Xcel install a second meter — typically free but they may charge for the additional service drop in some cases ($150-300, one-time). We coordinate the meter install with Xcel during the EV charger install for new circuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll in an Xcel EV rate plan?
Visit xcelenergy.com → Programs → Electric Vehicle programs. Or call Xcel customer service at 1-800-895-4999. The enrollment is online; the second-meter install (if applicable) is scheduled afterward.
Can I switch back if the rate plan doesn’t work for me?
Yes — Xcel allows rate plan changes, typically with a 1-2 month window between changes. Some customers switch to TOU during summer when AC is heavy and back to standard during winter.
Do these plans work for plug-in hybrids too?
Yes — any EV that charges at home benefits. Plug-in hybrids charge less per session but the rate plans still apply.
What about my solar panels — do they interact with TOU pricing?
Yes, and the math gets interesting. Solar production peaks midday when standard rates are highest, which makes solar+TOU especially valuable (sell excess at peak rates, buy back at off-peak). Solar customers often benefit more from TOU than non-solar.
Do you set up the charger scheduling during install?
Yes — we walk through the charger app with you during the install handoff and help you configure off-peak schedules to match whichever Xcel plan you’ve enrolled in. If you enroll after the install, we can do a remote app walkthrough.
EV Install + Rate Plan Setup
EV charger install with Xcel TOU enrollment guidance — call 651-418-1476 or book online. Typical install: $800-1,500 fully permitted. We help you enroll in the right rate plan during the project.
