HomeWattCost

SMUD R-TOD vs R-TOD EV

For a typical California home using 487 kWh a month, R-TOD EV is cheaper by about $13 a year ($105 against $107 a month). R-TOD EV is cheaper or about the same at every level of use from 200 to 2,500 kWh a month, with the same daily pattern of use.

Utility SMUDTariffs checked 2026-09-28Typical use 487 kWh/mo, California

Head to head

ScenarioR-TODR-TOD EVCheaper
Typical home, per month$107$105R-TOD EV
All-in price per kWh21.9¢21.6¢R-TOD EV
Home + EV, charged at the cheapest hour$144$139R-TOD EV
Home + EV, plugged in at 6 pm$165$164R-TOD EV
Fixed charge$27.00$27.00

Typical home: California average use by month (EIA), shaped hour by hour (NREL ResStock), before taxes. EV: Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, 1,000 miles a month; cheapest start 12 am on R-TOD, 12 am on R-TOD EV.

R-TOD EV is an EV or electrification rate: check the eligibility rules on SMUD’s tariff before switching.

Month by month

Typical-home bill each month on each plan.

PlanJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
R-TOD$108$83$89$80$82$126$145$154$158$88$83$81
R-TOD EV$106$82$88$79$81$125$144$153$157$87$82$80

R-TOD: price by hour

July weekday.

Off-peakMid-peakPeak
15.5¢21.4¢37.7¢21.4¢12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p12a

R-TOD EV: price by hour

July weekday.

Super off-peakOff-peakMid-peakPeak
14.0¢15.5¢21.4¢37.7¢21.4¢12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p12a

R-TOD or R-TOD EV: common questions

Is R-TOD or R-TOD EV cheaper?

For a typical California home using 487 kWh a month, R-TOD EV is cheaper by about $13 a year ($105 against $107 a month). R-TOD EV is cheaper or about the same at every level of use from 200 to 2,500 kWh a month, with the same daily pattern of use. Adding an EV driven 1,000 miles a month and charged at each plan’s cheapest hour, R-TOD EV gives the lower total ($139 against $144 a month).

What is the difference between R-TOD and R-TOD EV?

R-TOD is time-of-use (summer weekdays: Mid-peak noon–5 pm, Peak 5 pm–8 pm, Mid-peak 8 pm–12 am; lowest price 12 am–noon), with a fixed charge of $27.00 a month. R-TOD EV is time-of-use (summer weekdays: Super off-peak 12 am–6 am, Mid-peak noon–5 pm, Peak 5 pm–8 pm, Mid-peak 8 pm–12 am; lowest price 12 am–6 am), with a fixed charge of $27.00 a month.

How the two plans work

R-TOD: Time-of-Day (5–8 p.m.) Rate

  • Mid-peak noon–5 pm, Peak 5 pm–8 pm, Mid-peak 8 pm–12 am on July weekdays; 3 of 24 hours carry the top price of 37.7¢.
  • The cheapest July weekday hour costs 15.5¢, so moving 1 kWh out of the top hours saves 22.2¢.
  • January weekdays range from 12.9¢ to 17.8¢.
  • Summer pricing applies Jun–Sep; winter pricing Oct–May.
  • Weekends differ: off-peak all day.
  • Fixed charge: $27.00 a month.

R-TOD EV: Time-of-Day (5–8 p.m.) Rate with EV Credit

  • Super off-peak 12 am–6 am, Mid-peak noon–5 pm, Peak 5 pm–8 pm, Mid-peak 8 pm–12 am on July weekdays; 3 of 24 hours carry the top price of 37.7¢.
  • The cheapest July weekday hour costs 14.0¢, so moving 1 kWh out of the top hours saves 23.7¢.
  • January weekdays range from 11.4¢ to 17.8¢.
  • Summer pricing applies Jun–Sep; winter pricing Oct–May.
  • Weekends differ: Super off-peak 12 am–6 am.
  • Fixed charge: $27.00 a month.

Your own pattern of use decides the winner: compare every SMUD plan on your usage, or see all SMUD plans, sources and peak hours.