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Seattle City Light electricity rates & savings

Understand your bill, compare rate plans, optimize EV charging, and model solar savings for Seattle City Light customers. Gleam supports Seattle City Light customers with time-of-use rate optimization, EV charging cost tracking, and personalized savings recommendations for Seattle metro homes.

Current rate plans

PlanTypeGood for
Standard / flat rateStandardHomes with steady usage across the day
Residential Time-of-Use (TOU)Time-of-use (TOU)EV owners who can charge overnight or on weekends

Published electricity rates

Rate tierPrice (est.)
Standard flat rate (est.)$0.13/kWh
On-peak / peak (TOU or EV plan)$0.16/kWh
Mid-peak$0.14/kWh
Off-peak / super off-peak$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 · 5pm-9pm Monday-Saturday
Off-peak · 12am-6am daily

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

Is the TOU or EV plan worth it?

If you can shift EV charging and flexible loads to off-peak hours, Seattle City Light's TOU plan may lower your bill. Heavy peak-period usage (when rates are highest) can offset those savings.

Calculate charging, usage, and solar economics

Use rates published for Seattle City Light 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 →

Solar & net metering

Solar/net-metering customers may be ineligible for some TOU schedules — verify with your utility before switching rate plans.

Example EV charging savings

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

ScenarioEst. annual cost
Charge during peak ($0.16/kWh)$506/yr
Charge off-peak ($0.08/kWh)$253/yr
Estimated savings (off-peak vs peak)$253/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

TOU launched 2026. Smart meter (AMI) required for enrollment. Net-metered solar customers NOT eligible. Flat rate $0.1338/kWh vs off-peak $0.0805/kWh = ~40% cheaper overnight. Medium-value opportunity vs PSE/PG&E due to smaller rate spread. Peak only applies Mon-Sat — Sundays/holidays are mid-peak all day.

Frequently asked questions

What are Seattle City Light's off-peak hours?

12am-6am daily

When are peak electricity rates in Washington?

5pm-9pm Monday-Saturday

Can I switch Seattle City Light 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 Seattle City Light's time-of-use plan worth it for EV charging?

If you can shift EV charging and flexible loads to off-peak hours, Seattle City Light's TOU plan may lower your bill. Heavy peak-period usage (when rates are highest) can offset those savings.

Related guides

When Is the Cheapest Time to Charge Your EV at Home? →How to Read a Time-of-Use Electric Bill →EV Rate Plan vs Standard Rate: Which Saves More? →

Personalize this for your home

If you're a Seattle City Light 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 Seattle City Light or any other utility company. Seattle City Light 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.