VPPSA PowerShift Pilot Program
Residential customers of VPPSA Members may be eligible to enroll in PowerShift, a partnership between VPPSA and Efficiency Vermont. As part of PowerShift customers can receive a free FLO X5 Level 2 charger and a $500 rebate to have the charger installed by a licensed electrician.
The PowerShift Program enables EVs to charge outside of the highest energy use (peak demand) times. EV charging is pre-scheduled and instead charges its battery when operational costs are lower and the electric grid is powered by cleaner sources.
If we can shift energy use to a different time of the day, we can keep electric bills lower for everyone.
PowerShift Program Requirements & Eligibility
PowerShift Program requirements include:
- The EV charger must be installed at a residential location which is:
- Occupied year-round, and
- Customer must be the owner of the home
- Home must have Wi-Fi 24/7 at the proposed location of the EV charger
- Customer must have a smart phone or tablet
- Program is only eligible for new or used all-electric vehicles purchased after January 1, 2022.
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric motorcycles are not eligible.
- Proof of Purchase and Documentation required to verify EV purchase
- Charger must be installed by a licensed electrician of customer's choice.
- For help finding a licensed electrician, click here for a list of contractors who install EV charging equipment.
- Customer must be willing to have their transformer upgraded, if needed.
- Customer's may need to work directly with their electric utility to determine if there are any transformer-related costs.
- Distribution transformers must be adequate (size and capacity) to serve the added load safely and reliably prior to installing a Level 2 EV Charger.
How the Program Works & Potential Costs
As part of PowerShift, customers receive a brand-new electric vehicle charger offered at no cost. Once the charger has been connected with the correct schedule, customers will receive a rebate of up to $500 (subject to change without notice). While the charger is offered at no cost, customers are responsible for installation costs.
Installing an EV charger typically costs between $500 to $1,500, but this may vary based on house characteristics. An electrician will determine the need for a service panel/breaker box upgrade when providing a work estimate. If the home's service panel isn't able to accommodate a Level 2 charger, you may be eligible to receive funding for electrical upgrades based on income-eligibility.
Questions? Contact rebates@vppsa.com to learn more.
VPPSA has grant funding available through the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE) to cover the full cost of necessary electric panel upgrades for customers enrolled in the Low-Income Fuel Switch Program.
Launched in December 2022, Vermont's Weatherization Repayment Assistance Program (WRAP) is a collaborative effort to support weatherization work.