Program offers rebates and empowers drivers to charge their EVs during times of cleanest power generation
New York-based utilities Central Hudson Gas & Electric and Orange & Rockland have launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging pilot program with Uplight and Enel X. The program provides an instant $450 rebate to qualified customers when purchasing select Wi-Fi enabled JuiceBox EV charging stations on the utilities’ online Marketplaces andenrolls them in the Charge Smart Program. This program automatically charges the vehicle during times of the cleanest power generation – decreasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Uplight, the leader in customer experience for energy users, will use its Marketplace solution to provide instant rebate validation when a customer purchases an EV charger and enrolls into the EV charging program—creating a seamless customer experience that also increases program participation. When a customer purchases a JuiceBox smart charger, it will arrive at the residence already calibrated to participate in the program, without any further enrollment effort on the customer’s part. The project supports New York State’s nation-leading climate and clean energy goals to reduce carbon emissions 85 percent by 2050.
“As more utilities and states pledge to go carbon neutral, it is essential to start bringing their customers on that journey as well by connecting them to critical resources like EVs,” said Josh Lin, General Manager of Uplight. “Driving an EV is already a powerful step a customer takes to reduce their environmental impact, but this program gives customers the right tools to help them more seamlessly manage their energy usage. Uplight is excited to support such an innovative program that aligns with our goal of reducing carbon emissions.”
Program participants will gain access to Enel X’s JuiceNet smart charging dashboard and mobile app, where they can monitor and control their charging routines. JuiceNet Green, a unique software service, shifts EV charging during each session to times when greenhouse gas emissions are lower, and the dirtiest fossil-fuel power plants are least utilized. JuiceNet Green utilizes forecast and real-time greenhouse gas emissions data from WattTime, a subsidiary of the Rocky Mountain Institute. The JuiceNet Utility Edition platform also allows utilities to monitor and analyze demand from participating charging stations and manage charging to respond to and align with real-time grid conditions.
“With more renewables coming online each year, it’s critical we manage new EV load demands efficiently while fully supporting a 100 percent electrified future,” said Giovanni Bertolino, head of e-mobility for Enel X North America. “As New York continues to make strides to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent over the next decade, our hope is that smart charging will increase EV driver access to renewable energy on the grid as well as help New York meet its clean energy goals, conveniently and cost effectively.”
