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Duke Energy Carolinas SC RSTC vs RT-EV

For a typical South Carolina home using 1,056 kWh a month, RSTC is cheaper by about $24 a year ($168 against $170 a month). RSTC 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 Duke Energy CarolinasTariffs checked 2026-09-28Typical use 1,056 kWh/mo, South Carolina

Head to head

ScenarioRSTCRT-EVCheaper
Typical home, per month$168$170RSTC
All-in price per kWh15.9¢16.1¢RSTC
Home + EV, charged at the cheapest hour$194$200RSTC
Home + EV, plugged in at 6 pm$217$213RT-EV
Fixed charge$13.61$13.61

Typical home: South Carolina 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 1 am on RSTC, 12 am on RT-EV.

RT-EV is an EV or electrification rate: check the eligibility rules on Duke Energy Carolinas’s tariff before switching.

Month by month

Typical-home bill each month on each plan.

PlanJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
RSTC$199$174$131$121$153$194$239$203$167$126$131$176
RT-EV$199$181$134$129$150$192$236$201$166$137$135$179

RSTC: price by hour

July weekday.

Off-peakMid-peakPeak
13.8¢9.6¢13.8¢27.2¢13.8¢12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p12a

RT-EV: price by hour

July weekday.

Off-peakPeak
10.8¢15.7¢10.8¢12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p12a

RSTC or RT-EV: common questions

Is RSTC or RT-EV cheaper?

For a typical South Carolina home using 1,056 kWh a month, RSTC is cheaper by about $24 a year ($168 against $170 a month). RSTC 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, RSTC gives the lower total ($194 against $200 a month).

What is the difference between RSTC and RT-EV?

RSTC is time-of-use (summer weekdays: Mid-peak 12 am–1 am, Mid-peak 6 am–6 pm, Peak 6 pm–9 pm, Mid-peak 9 pm–12 am; lowest price 1 am–6 am), with a fixed charge of $13.61 a month. RT-EV is time-of-use (summer weekdays: Peak 5 am–11 pm; lowest price 11 pm–5 am next day), with a fixed charge of $13.61 a month.

More Duke Energy Carolinas comparisons

How the two plans work

RSTC: Residential Time of Use with Critical Peak Pricing

  • Mid-peak 12 am–1 am, Mid-peak 6 am–6 pm, Peak 6 pm–9 pm, Mid-peak 9 pm–12 am on July weekdays; 3 of 24 hours carry the top price of 27.2¢.
  • The cheapest July weekday hour costs 9.6¢, so moving 1 kWh out of the top hours saves 17.6¢.
  • January weekdays range from 9.6¢ to 27.2¢.
  • Summer pricing applies May–Sep; winter pricing Oct–Apr.
  • Weekends differ: Mid-peak 12 am–1 am, Mid-peak 6 am–12 am.
  • Fixed charge: $13.61 a month.

RT-EV: Residential Time of Use with Discount Charging Period

  • Peak 5 am–11 pm on July weekdays; 18 of 24 hours carry the top price of 15.7¢.
  • The cheapest July weekday hour costs 10.8¢, so moving 1 kWh out of the top hours saves 4.9¢.
  • January weekdays range from 10.8¢ to 15.7¢.
  • Fixed charge: $13.61 a month.

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