Sawnee EMC offers a Level 2 charger rebate for which the requirements and application can be found here, however as part of that rebate, a member must be on a TOU, CPP, or PEV rate. It is important to understand the rate requirements before applying for the rebate, as the wrong rate choice could cost you more than the $200 rebate value.
The following section covers these rates:
Before reviewing rate options for your Electric Vehicle (EV), consider the following questions:
- Have you had your EV for at least 3-4 months and driven it in your normal usage pattern?
- If not, you should consider doing so, before changing rates. This gives you the opportunity to get real world usage figures for both your mileage and kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption.
- Without actual mileage values, your costs savings on different rates are even more of an estimate.
- Have you used your usage explorer tool in your Sawnee EMC Smarthub app to review the impact your EV has had?
- This tool allows you to look at both your daily and hourly usage to see how much your kWh consumption increases when you charge your car.
- If you are estimating the mileage that you expect to drive, have you calculated your usage to provide you with the estimated kWh you may consume?
- If not please, visit the page on Calculating your usage
- When can you charge the EV?
- The advantage to other rate schedules comes from not charging during peak hours which are generally considered 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
- Does your current lifestyle allow you to avoid charging during these hours?
Once you have considered these questions then use the information below to review rates more closely.
- Standard Residential Rate (H-Rate)
- Time of Use (TOU)
- Critical Peak Pricing (CPP)
- Plug-in Vehicle (PEV)
Standard Residential Rate – “H”
- Staying on this rate is typically the best option for those members who only plan to drive their cars on short trips each day and will fully charge their vehicle only on occasion.
- On average, members generally see an increase of only $35-$40 per month with only local driving on this rate.
- This rate has no on-peak or off-peak periods and the rate remains the same no matter when you are charging.
- For example, if your EV uses .25 kWh/mile and you drive 20 miles a day 20 days out of the month, then you would use:
.25 kWh x 20 Miles x 20 days = 100 kWh per month - At Approx. $.12 per kWh you would add $12.00 per month to your Electric bill on the H-Rate.
- Review the Standard Residential H-Rate.
Time of Use Rate – “TOU”
- Time of Use rates might be considered for those who are commuting more often in their electric vehicle and currently have conservative energy usage habits in their home.
- This rate does charge on an off-peak and on-peak basis with higher cost for on-peak times.
- The on-peak times are from June 1st – August 31st, Monday – Friday from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
- This is a “whole home” rate, so you must take into consideration how you operate your home and all the energy you consume during those on-peak times. Use your Smart Hub Usage Explorer tool to assist you in reviewing your usage during these times
- Although you will be able to charge your car at a much lower rate during off-peak hours, your home’s energy usage during on-peak hours may negate your savings.
- May not be a better option for those who work out of the home, have heavy air conditioning usage and/or pool usage during Summer months.
- Review the Time Of Use Rate.
Critical Peak Pricing- “CPPR”
- Like Time of Use, this rate has energy charges on an off peak and on peak basis, with the on peak times occurring from June 1st – August 31st, Monday – Friday from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
- However, this rate has an added critical peak period, where electricity is at its highest cost.
- The critical peak period is any time Sawnee EMC operates Load Management, which is generally during the on peak times listed above, when the temperatures are the hottest.
- Keep in mind that if you don’t want to cut back your HVAC units during these times, then you could experience prices that will negate any savings you might see from charging during off peak hours.
- If you choose this rate, you will be notified via text or email when Sawnee EMC is operating Load Management.
- You must participate in one of Sawnee EMC’s Load Management Programs.
- Review the Critical Peak Pricing Rate.
Plug-in Vehicle Rate- PEV
- This rate is for the high mileage members who are fully charging their EV every night.
- It also incorporates on-peak and off-peak periods.
- This rate involves additional costs for you, as it requires a second electric meter to be installed at your home which would be for the vehicle charger only.
- This requires that you pay an electrician to install a second meter base.
- There are a few more things to consider when reviewing this rate:
- Contact your local Permitting Department to see if a 2nd electric meter can be installed at your home (all cities and counties vary in their policies regarding this)
- Check with Sawnee’s Engineering Department to find out if your service needs to be upgraded for a second meter.
- Additional costs could apply if a transformer needs to be upgraded to meet the needs of the additional service.
- Review the Plug-in Vehicle Rate.
