Check with your power company for EV incentive programs

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GvilleGuy

GvilleGuy

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Earlier this year, I researched my power company web site to see if they offered cheaper power rates over night. They do not. Later I thought to google my power company name and “EV” programs and found that they do have a pilot program - Duke Energy Park & Plug Pilot Program - to help them “learn about charging load and plan for electric infrastructure” in my state. I did not see this program when I was on their web site earlier in the year.

I had to send in a copy of my car’s registration, along with copies of my EVSE invoice and the electrician installation invoice. I was approved pretty quickly.

It is a 3-year program, and I received a pre-paid $500 debit card. I will also get $500 off my power bill spread out over the three years, as long as I charge outside of their heavy load windows. The charging exclusion times are generous. You can have 3 “oopsies” per month, too.

June 1 to Sept 30: Do NOT plug in Mon - Fri 1 PM to 7 PM (weekend and holidays are fine)

Oct 1 to May 31: Do NOT plug in Mon - Fri 7 AM to noon

I have a morning alarm set on my phone to remember to go unplug, if needed.

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Those are very generous restrictions, practically none.

I have to charge between 9pm-9am M-F and all-day weekends to get the lower rate. So I use the scheduled charging and set up the charging window on my car via the app, and never have to worry about unplugging. The car will not draw a charge until inside the window. I then have one reminder on Friday at 9pm to switch from scheduled to immediate charging, and another reminder for Sunday evening to go back on scheduled. You could do something similar to change between summer and winter schedule.
 
GvilleGuy said:
It is a 3-year program, and I received a pre-paid $500 debit card. I will also get $500 off my power bill spread out over the three years, as long as I charge outside of their heavy load windows. The charging exclusion times are generous. You can have 3 “oopsies” per month, too.
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That, sir, is a great deal! Congratulations! And if you ever decide to go panning for gold somewhere, please let the rest of us know first. I (for one) will meet you there, wherever it may be!
 
Sorry to revive this old thread, but there are a lot of new SE owners since I posted this. Just a reminder to check with your local power company for discount / rebate programs for charging. The Duke Power program here in SC works well. I just got my Jan email this morning. I am not sure how many EV owners are in the program, but they are mostly very compliant with the guidelines to get their rebates, according to this.

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Yeah thanks for bumping this, I finally checked for incentives in Albuquerque, and PNM will credit $300 for a level 2 EVSE purchase. I was on the fence about upgrading to level 2, but this will probably push me over the edge. Now I just have to sift through 6 pages of approved EVSEs.
 
Thanks for the reminder. Few months back when I checked with National Grid in Massachusetts, they neither offered any rebates on EVSE nor off-peak rates for charging.

But searching again shows an EV program that would help the grid become more sustainable, and you earn some $ (not significant) incentives for enrolling and staying in the program.

Program is offered with EV manufacturer collaboration. For BMW EV and MINI SE owners check out https://www.bmwchargeforward.com/
 
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