South Carolina

Why is it like this in South Carolina?

South Carolina's electricity rate of about 14¢/kWh sits near the breakeven for a typical PHEV versus gasoline — but both of the state's major utilities raised rates in the same cycle. Duke Energy's rate increases for 857,000 South Carolina customers were approved in early 2026, ranging from $10–$22/month depending on territory, and Dominion Energy South Carolina settled a rate case at a 7.6% increase. These stacked increases are pushing the state's effective residential electricity cost higher — at the January 2026 baseline, electricity still wins per mile, but the margin is narrowing toward parity.

In the news · South Carolina

• Duke Energy again seeking to raise SC power bills

  SC Daily Gazette · Jul 3, 2025

  Duke Energy's dual rate increase requests for its 857,000 South Carolina customers — $10.38/month for Upstate and $21.66/month for Pee Dee customers — add to a pattern of rising electricity costs that compresses PHEV electric-mode savings.

• SC power costs may again be on the rise as Dominion seeks rate hike

  SC Daily Gazette · Jan 5, 2026

  Dominion Energy South Carolina sought a 12.7% residential rate increase — later settled at 7.6% — that would add ~$12/month for 820,000 SC customers, the second utility in the state pursuing major increases in the same cycle.

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  South Carolina regulators approve Duke Energy rate increases

  Post and Courier · Jan 14, 2026

  The PSC's final approval of Duke Energy rate hikes for both Carolinas and Progress territories in South Carolina confirmed that SC electricity rates rose in early 2026 — making the gas-vs-electric PHEV cost calculation tighter for SC drivers.

Curated coverage of South Carolina's EV/PHEV cost, policy, and infrastructure story. External links open in a new tab.

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