Short answer: APS customers should look at EV Overnight Charging 11pm–5am Weekdays (R-EV) and schedule charging after 11 p.m.; avoid 4–7 p.m. weekdays. SRP customers can't join the old EV plan anymore — pick Conserve 6–9 p.m. and Save and charge 8 a.m.–3 p.m. if the car is home, or schedule outside 5–10 p.m. on Manage Demand. A 240V Level 2 charger is nice, not mandatory; SRP rebates $250 on eligible smart chargers. Park in the garage or shade — heat, not charging, is what ages batteries.
First: which utility are you on?
Metro Phoenix is split between APS (much of Phoenix and the West Valley) and SRP (much of the East Valley — Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert — and parts of Phoenix). Boundaries are messy and set by your address, not your choice — check your bill. Tucson is mostly TEP.
APS: EV Overnight Charging 11pm–5am Weekdays
- On-peak: 4–7 p.m. weekdays — never charge here.
- Overnight off-peak: 11 p.m.–5 a.m. weekdays — the cheapest EV hours.
- Winter super off-peak: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays on Nov–Apr bills.
- Weekends and holidays: off-peak all day. Watch the Friday-night gotcha: after midnight Saturday you're on regular off-peak, not overnight pricing.
- Eligibility: must own a qualifying EV, annual proof of ownership; enroll by calling APS (numbers on APS's plan page).
Exact cents per kWh change with adjustors — read the current R-EV tariff. In it, summer overnight energy is a fraction of the 4–7 p.m. on-peak price, which is why schedule discipline matters more than the car you buy.
Alternative: APS says its Time-of-Use 4pm–7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge plan has the lowest off-peak rates of any current plan — great if you never run the dryer, oven and charger together during 4–7 p.m., painful if you do.
SRP: the EV plan is closed — here's what replaced it
SRP's board retired the EV Price Plan for new enrollments in 2025; existing customers can stay until it ends by the November 2029 billing cycle (SRP). For new EV owners SRP recommends:
| SRP plan | Charge when | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Conserve 6–9 p.m. and Save | Super off-peak 8 a.m.–3 p.m. every day | Car home during the day, solar homes, remote workers |
| Manage Demand 5–10 p.m. and Save | Anytime outside 5–10 p.m. weekdays | Disciplined households who can avoid peak spikes |
Commuter whose car is gone 8–3? On Conserve you'll charge overnight at off-peak instead of super off-peak — still far cheaper than gas. Use SRP's price comparison display (needs 12 months at the address) and the $50 EV Smart Charge sign-up credit.
Do you need Level 2 in Phoenix?
APS's own sizing chart says Level 1 (a regular 120V outlet) covers up to ~45 miles a day with 8 hours of overnight charging. Valley commutes are often longer, and a 6-hour cheap window is shorter, so many owners want Level 2.
- Cost: SRP estimates $500–$2,000 for home Level 2 installation depending on existing outlets (SRP). Long panel-to-garage runs, panel upgrades and stucco/block-wall routing push you up.
- Rebate: SRP pays $250 on eligible smart chargers; APS shows charger discounts on APS Marketplace. More in Arizona EV incentives.
- Demand plans: a 48A charger is ~11 kW. On a demand-charge plan, one accidental peak-hour session can set your demand for the month. Schedule it in the car and the charger.
- Permit: most Valley cities require an electrical permit for a new 240V circuit. Use a licensed electrician (ROC-licensed in Arizona).
Heat: garage vs driveway
- Garage beats driveway, even un-air-conditioned — direct sun on a dark car in July is brutal on the pack and cabin.
- Stay plugged in during summer. Many EVs use grid power, not the battery, to cool the pack while parked and plugged in.
- Precondition while plugged in so the A/C cool-down comes from the wall.
- Daily limit ~80% unless you need the range; sitting at 100% in heat accelerates degradation.
- Chargers outside: choose a unit rated for outdoor use and keep cables out of direct sun where practical.
What it costs per mile
Efficiency matters as much as rate. Our live cheapest EVs to charge in Arizona ranking prices every EV at Arizona home rates; plug your ZIP and commute into the EV vs gas calculator, and see the most efficient EVs.
FAQ
What is the best APS plan for EV charging?
If you can charge 11pm–5am on weekdays, APS's EV Overnight Charging plan (R-EV) gives the cheapest overnight rate; APS lists its summer overnight energy rate well under its 4–7pm on-peak rate. If you can also keep 4–7pm weekday usage low, APS says its Time-of-Use with Demand Charge plan has the lowest off-peak rates — but a demand charge punishes charging at peak.
What is the best SRP plan for EV charging now?
The SRP EV Price Plan is closed to new enrollments. SRP points EV owners to Conserve 6–9 p.m. and Save (cheapest energy 8 a.m.–3 p.m. daily) or Manage Demand 5–10 p.m. and Save. Use SRP's price comparison tool once you have 12 months of history.
Is Level 1 charging enough in Phoenix?
Often, yes. APS's own sizing chart says Level 1 covers up to about 45 miles of daily round-trip driving with 8 hours of overnight charging.
Does Phoenix heat damage an EV battery while charging?
Heat is the main enemy of lithium-ion batteries. Charge in a garage or shade when you can, keep daily charge limits around 80% unless you need more, and let the car's thermal management run while plugged in.
Bottom line
Pick the right APS or SRP plan, schedule the charge, park in shade — that's 90% of cheap EV ownership in Phoenix. Still choosing a car? Read the Phoenix EV buying guide, then compare on the rankings.