Duke Energy Carolinas

Duke Energy Carolinas residential customers in both North Carolina and South Carolina can enroll in the Residential Service Time-of-Use rate (RS-TOU). The rate splits the day into on-peak, off-peak, and discount windows. From May through September the on-peak window is 6 to 9 pm on weekdays, when usage costs the most. From October through April the on-peak window shifts to 6 to 9 am. Owners who can shift overnight EV charging to the off-peak or discount hours typically come out ahead on this rate; households that cannot shift away from the early-evening window in summer often pay more than on the standard residential rate.

The Charger Prep Credit is the rebate residential and business customers actually use. For homes the credit covers the electrical work needed to support a Level 2 or higher charger, such as new wiring, conduit, panel upgrades, and outlets. Duke's 2022 North Carolina launch release gave up to $1,133 per household; a Duke program page read in November 2026 lists up to $819 per charger without naming a state, so check Duke's page for the amount that applies to your account. The charger hardware itself is excluded. Commercial and multifamily sites use the same program with larger credits that depend on segment, charger type, total kW and whether Duke has to upgrade the service; Duke publishes a calculator for it.

Duke Energy Carolinas operates in two states and that distinction matters in practice. North Carolina rates and pilots are approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission; South Carolina rates and pilots are approved by the South Carolina Public Service Commission. The EV charger rental program and the EV Complete Home Charging Plan managed-charging pilot were approved in North Carolina only at launch. South Carolina customers can use the Charger Prep Credit and the TOU rate but cannot enroll in the NC-only programs.