ED3 EV Charging Rate 2026: Charge Your Tesla for $4.20 in Maricopa
If you drive an EV in Maricopa, you have access to one of the cheapest charging rates in Arizona — and most Maricopa homeowners don't even know it exists.
ED3's TOU A2 EV rate includes a super off-peak window from midnight to 5am at $0.056/kWh. That's a Tesla Model 3 full charge for $4.20. About 1.4 cents per mile. Roughly 10 times cheaper than gasoline.
ED3 EV Rate at a Glance (TOU A2 EV)
Midnight - 5:00 AM daily
All other non-peak hours + weekends
2-10pm weekdays, May-Jun & Sep-Oct
2-10pm weekdays, Jul-Aug
Source: ED3 Rate 01 TOU A2 EV (Rev 2). Verify at ed3online.org.
The Math: EV Charging Cost in Maricopa
| Vehicle | Battery | Full Charge Cost | Cost per Mile | vs Gas (13¢/mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3/Y | 75 kWh | $4.20 | 1.4¢/mi | 9.3x cheaper |
| Tesla Model S/X | 100 kWh | $5.60 | 1.7¢/mi | 7.6x cheaper |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 131 kWh | $7.34 | 2.4¢/mi | 5.4x cheaper |
| Chevy Bolt EV | 66 kWh | $3.70 | 1.3¢/mi | 10x cheaper |
| Rivian R1T | 135 kWh | $7.56 | 2.4¢/mi | 5.4x cheaper |
Annual savings: An average Arizona driver covers 12,000 miles/year. On ED3's super off-peak rate, that costs about $168-288/year in electricity. The same mileage in a 25 mpg gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $1,680/year. You save roughly $1,400-1,500/year just on fuel.
How to Sign Up for ED3's EV Rate
- Call ED3 at (520) 424-9021 or visit ed3online.org
- Provide EV registration. ED3 requires annual verification that you own an EV. This is a one-page form — not a big deal.
- ED3 installs an AMI meter (standard smart meter, no special equipment needed on your end)
- 12-month commitment. You can't switch back to the standard rate for 12 months. Given the savings, this is almost always worth it.
- Start charging overnight. Set your EV to start charging at midnight using the car's built-in schedule or a smart charger with timer.
Important Restrictions
- Pilot program. ED3 may modify or discontinue this rate. Lock it in while it's available.
- NOT available for solar/DG customers. If you have rooftop solar on ED3, you cannot use the EV rate — you're stuck on the DG rate. ED3 says a future release will open EV rates to DG customers, but no timeline is published.
- $25/month service charge ($5 more than the standard residential rate). The super off-peak savings far outweigh this extra $5.
- On-peak is 2-10pm (1 hour longer than the standard TOU 2-9 plan). Avoid charging during this window.
ED3 vs APS: Which Is Cheaper for EV Charging?
| ED3 (TOU A2 EV) | APS (Saver Choice Plus) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best EV charging rate | $0.0560/kWh | $0.0935/kWh |
| Best charging window | Midnight - 5am | 10am - 3pm (super off-peak) |
| Tesla Model 3/Y full charge | $4.20 | $7.01 |
| Annual cost (12,000 mi) | ~$168 | ~$280 |
| Dedicated EV rate? | Yes (pilot) | No (use standard TOU) |
ED3 wins by 40%. The super off-peak rate of $0.056/kWh is hard to beat anywhere in Arizona. APS doesn't have a dedicated EV rate — you use the standard TOU plan and charge during the 10am-3pm super off-peak window (which is less convenient if you work during the day).
For the full utility comparison, see our ED3 vs APS rates comparison.
Optimize Your Charging Setup
Level 2 Home Charger (Recommended)
A Level 2 charger (240V, 32-48 amp) charges a Tesla Model 3/Y from 20% to 80% in about 3-4 hours — easily within the midnight-5am super off-peak window. The Tesla Wall Connector or a third-party charger like the ChargePoint Home Flex both support scheduled charging.
See our best EV home charger for Arizona guide for specific models and installation tips.
Smart Scheduling Tips
- Set your car's charge schedule to midnight. Every EV has a built-in charge timer. Set it to start at 12:00 AM to hit the super off-peak rate from the first kWh.
- Charge to 80% daily, 100% for road trips only. LFP battery Teslas (Model 3 Standard Range, newer Model 3/Y) can safely charge to 100% daily. NCA/NMC battery Teslas should stop at 80% for longevity.
- Use a smart outlet timer as backup. If your charger doesn't have scheduling (Level 1 cord chargers), a smart outlet timer ensures you never accidentally charge during peak hours.
Level 2 EV chargers on Amazon
A Level 2 charger fills a Tesla from 20-80% in the ED3 super off-peak window (midnight-5am). Pays for itself in a few months of overnight charging.
See Level 2 ChargersAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Price and availability may change.
ED3 EV Rate + Solar: The Future
Right now, ED3 solar customers (on the DG rate) cannot use the EV TOU rate. This is a significant limitation — solar + EV is the ultimate energy savings combo. ED3 has stated a future rate release will open EV rates to DG customers, but no date is published.
If you're considering solar AND an EV on ED3, you currently have to choose: the EV rate (cheaper charging but no solar export credits) or the DG rate (solar credits but no super off-peak EV charging). For most EV owners without solar, the EV rate is the clear winner. For solar owners, the math depends on your system size and export volume — see our ED3 Rider 8B solar guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ED3's EV charging rate?
ED3 offers the TOU A2 EV rate with three tiers: super off-peak at $0.056/kWh (midnight-5am), off-peak at $0.0713/kWh, and on-peak at $0.2029-0.2651/kWh (2-10pm weekdays). The super off-peak rate is one of the cheapest EV charging rates in Arizona.
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla on ED3?
On ED3's super off-peak rate, a Tesla Model 3/Y with a 75 kWh battery costs $4.20 for a full charge. That's about 1.4 cents per mile — roughly 10 times cheaper than gasoline.
How do I sign up for ED3's EV rate?
Contact ED3 at (520) 424-9021 or visit ed3online.org. You'll need to provide annual EV registration verification. ED3 installs a standard AMI meter. The program requires a 12-month commitment. Note: solar/DG customers are NOT currently eligible.
Is ED3's EV rate cheaper than APS for EV charging?
Yes, by about 40%. ED3's super off-peak is $0.056/kWh vs APS's cheapest at $0.0935/kWh. A full Tesla charge costs $4.20 on ED3 vs $7.01 on APS. Over 12,000 miles/year, ED3 owners save roughly $120-180/year.
Can I charge my EV during the day on ED3's EV rate?
Yes, but it costs more. Off-peak hours (all non-peak times outside midnight-5am) are $0.0713/kWh — still cheap. On-peak (2-10pm weekdays) is $0.2029-0.2651/kWh — avoid charging then. The best strategy is overnight scheduled charging to hit the $0.056/kWh super off-peak window.