North Carolina

Duke Energy Carolinas electricity rates & savings

Understand your bill, compare rate plans, optimize EV charging, and model solar savings for Duke Energy Carolinas customers. Gleam helps Duke Energy Carolinas customers optimize around time-of-use rates, schedule EV charging during cheaper hours, and reduce overall electricity costs.

Current rate plans

Plan	Type	Good for
Standard / flat rate	Standard	Homes with steady usage across the day
Residential Service Time-of-Use (RS-TOU)	Time-of-use (TOU)	EV owners who can charge overnight or on weekends

Published electricity rates

Rate tier	Price (est.)
Standard flat rate (est.)	$0.12–$0.13/kWh
On-peak / peak (TOU or EV plan)	$0.28–$0.38/kWh
Off-peak / super off-peak	$0.06–$0.08/kWh

Rates last verified: June 2026. Effective January 2026.

Official sources: Residential rates, Tariff sheet, and EV program.

Peak & off-peak hours

Peak · Summer: 3–9pm weekdays; Winter: 6–9am and 6–9pm weekdays

Off-peak · All other hours including weekends/holidays

Illustrative timeline — exact windows vary by season and rate schedule.

Is the TOU or EV plan worth it?

If you drive 700+ miles/month and can charge overnight or on weekends, Duke Energy Carolinas's time-varying rate often saves money — peak rates can run 6.3× off-peak. If most of your usage happens during peak hours (often late afternoon), TOU may cost more than a flat plan.

Calculate charging, usage, and solar economics

Use rates published for Duke Energy Carolinas to estimate home electricity use, EV charging, solar savings, or solar payback with rate inflation and EV impact.

Electricity usage →EV grid charging →Solar payback →Home solar savings →

Example EV charging savings

Typical EV: 11,000 miles/year (3,143 kWh)

Scenario	Est. annual cost
Charge during peak ($0.38/kWh)	$1,194/yr
Charge off-peak ($0.06/kWh)	$189/yr
Estimated savings (off-peak vs peak)	$1,005/yr

Assumes 11,000 mi/yr, 3.5 mi/kWh, and 100% of EV charging at each rate tier. Real savings depend on your driving, charger, and schedule.

Utility notes

Serves Charlotte, Durham, Triad (western NC). TOU plans significantly revamped 2023 — wider rate spread than before ($0.06 off-peak to $0.38 peak). Rate case pending: ~$17/month increase proposed for Jan 2027, decision expected late 2026. Rates 22% below national average. Duke Energy rebates available: up to $9,000 for solar+battery systems.

Frequently asked questions

What are Duke Energy Carolinas's off-peak hours?

All other hours including weekends/holidays

When are peak electricity rates in North Carolina?

Summer: 3–9pm weekdays; Winter: 6–9am and 6–9pm weekdays

Can I switch Duke Energy Carolinas rate plans anytime?

Most utilities let you change rate plans, but some TOU or EV schedules require enrollment, smart meters, or a minimum commitment. Confirm on your utility's website.

Is Duke Energy Carolinas's time-of-use plan worth it for EV charging?

Personalize this for your home

If you're a Duke Energy Carolinas customer, add your provider in Gleam, link your EV, and upload your bill. Gleam finds off-peak charging windows, rate plan savings, and solar opportunities based on your actual usage.

Get Started

Gleam is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Duke Energy Carolinas or any other utility company. Duke Energy Carolinas is used descriptively to identify the service territory only. Rate information is for reference — always confirm current tariffs on your utility's official website before making billing decisions.