Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, General Motors Co. in Detroit, and BMW have joined a pilot program with Duke Energy in North Carolina to provide electric vehicle customers in their service area with a chance to save money, increase the use of renewable energy, and support electric grid resiliency while charging at home.
The EV Complete Home Charging Plan pilot is designed to bring more certainty to the cost of EV home charging by providing a low, fixed monthly rate for electricity used in exchange for allowing Ford and Duke Energy to manage charging times to best support the electric grid.
The pilot program should help support electric grid resiliency by managing selected customers’ home charging schedules when there is less strain on the grid and when more renewable energy is readily available. Ford EV customers, along with GM and BMW EV drivers, will receive an invitation to enroll in the program starting in September, with the EV Complete Home Charging Plan pilot officially launching on Nov. 1.
“The connectivity features offered in our electric vehicles are revolutionizing the customer experience by creating easy opportunities to save money, support the electric grid and drive toward zero-carbon charging,” says Bill Crider, head of global charging and energy services at Ford. “Our pilot program with Duke Energy is another strong example of providing customers with better vehicle ownership experiences, while also supporting our shared grid and sustainability aspirations.”
Duke Energy’s 12-month EV Complete Home Charging Plan pilot will allow residential customers in North Carolina to use up to 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month to charge an EV at home for a fixed monthly fee of $19.99 in its Duke Energy Carolinas service area and $24.99 in its Duke Energy Progress service area. The average EV driver uses less than 15 kWh on a given day, meaning the pilot will offer peace of mind for participants with nearly twice the amount per month needed by the average driver.
During the pilot, program participants will input their desired time to reach a certain state of charge, and their automaker will optimize their EV charging schedule to meet their specific needs while attempting to avoid charging during the grid’s peak hours. This process can increase convenience for customers by helping to provide a charged vehicle when they need it, while contributing to grid stability.
“The average EV owner is already saving about $1,000 per year on fuel costs compared to a traditional vehicle – a predictable monthly subscription charge on top of that is going to ensure predictable savings when charging,” says Kendal Bowman, state president of Duke Energy North Carolina. “Beyond cost savings, EV charging at home tends to be convenient because drivers can leave the house with a fully charged vehicle and lessen the number of trips to public charging stations.”
