Pilot Program for EV Charging in Virginia

October 26th, 2011 by Charis Michelsen

A new pilot program encouraging electric vehicles was recently unveiled in Virginia, as one of the state’s largest electricity suppliers — Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) — is now offering special rates to EV owners charging their vehicles overnight.

Given its relatively high number of first-gen HVs, Virginia could also adopt EVs just as enthusiastically. Dominion is betting on it – in fact, it’s said that by 2020 there could be as many as 86,000 EVs in Virginia. If those vehicles are charged during the day, the increase in amount of electricity demand wouldn’t be insignificant.

Late Night, Cheap Electricity

The pilot program is in part meant to test whether customers could be persuaded to charge during off-peak hours in exchange for cheaper power. Since late at night and super early in the morning are usually the off-peak hours for electricity consumption, rates are often lower during such times. It’s been said that running your major appliances during off-peak hours is an easy way to lower your electric bill, and a battery electric car certainly counts as a major appliance.

Kenneth D. Barker, vice president for Customer Solutions and Energy Conservation said:

“This pilot program provides electric-vehicle users an option to help them manage their vehicle charging costs. Knowing that customers will charge their vehicles at night when power demand is at its lowest will enable us to plan accordingly.”

DVP’s Two Options

Electric Vehicle Only
The EV only option includes a second meter installed in the customer’s home, hooked up to the circuit where the EV is charged.
Cost:
- $0.54 overnight charging (approximate) per night
- $2.90 service charge (for second meter) per month

Whole House
The Whole House option claims lower electricity prices overall, with reduced rates overnight. The standard meter is replaced with one that records energy use in 30-minute intervals.
Cost:
- $0.56 overnight charging (approximate – varies by season)
- $?? Rates for other appliances also adjusted based on season and peak/off-peak hours.

If the customer doesn’t adopt the new plan, DVP estimates about $1.10/night to charge the EV at the standard rate of $0.11/kWh – but only 750 participants will be selected for each option.

Are you in Virginia? Considering enrolling? Would you move to Virginia for cheaper electricity? (I probably would not.) Let us know in the comments, below.

Source: PR Newswire | Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: bring your EVs to virginia, cheaper electricity, cheaper power, dominion virginia power, Electricity, hv, hybrid vehicle, off-peak rates, overnight EV charging, pilot program, rates, virginia

About the Author

Charis Michelsen spent 7 years living in Germany and Japan, studying both languages extensively, doing translation and education with companies like Bosch, Nissan, Fuji Heavy, and others. Charis has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. She also believes that Janeway was the best Star Trek Captain.