Switching to Chargepoint

[molsonmatt]

Had the FCSP installed for the past few months. It’s been working fine with no issues. I just found my electric company doesn’t qualify that charger for off peak discounted rates. Went with a chargepoint home flex. Should be easy to switch out. Frustrating. Just glad the charger didn’t cost me anything.

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[F150Redux]

How would your utility know what kind of charger you're using? All they're doing is supplying the juice, mine don't know whether I'm using the portable plug or the FCSP.

OP is referring to the fact that they can't get the off-peak discount because the FCSP isn't supported - Ford won't release the private keys to the units, so the energy providers can't scrape the data.

No data, no discount.

 

[molsonmatt]

OP is referring to the fact that they can't get the off-peak discount because the FCSP isn't supported - Ford won't release the private keys to the units, so the energy providers can't scrape the data.

No data, no discount.

Exactly. When I signed up for the program I gave them the swa number or whatever else they needed off the unit but I guess that’s the issue. They can’t directly access the charger to see the day to day usage. The off peak rate is a $.105/kw deduction i believe

 

[F150Redux]

Again, how would they know? We don't have off peak times for electricity like many do, one flat price 24/7. They have no way of knowing if I'm charging my cell phone or my truck or the space shuttle should it come out of mothballs and make it down my street lol. Point is HOW would they know and why would it matter to them?

Makes 0 sense.

Because when you join these programs, they monitor your EVSE and "watch" when it's running through the data/metrics provided from the unit. They can then make sure you're only using it during the approved off-peak hours, and thus get the discount.

 

[molsonmatt]

Again, how would they know? We don't have off peak times for electricity like many do, one flat price 24/7. They have no way of knowing if I'm charging my cell phone or my truck or the space shuttle should it come out of mothballs and make it down my street lol. Point is HOW would they know and why would it matter to them?

Makes 0 sense. Unless this is some sort of foreign country issue that I'm unaware of. I'm in the states.

They access the WiFi connected charger directly to see the usage. And the deduction applies when it’s used between 9:00pm and 7:00am

 

[molsonmatt]

So you're saying this is an adjustment strictly for EV's and not the entire home?

Correct

 

[F150Redux]

Peak times are based on the time of day/night where I sit. Has nothing to do with what's using the power.

If the discount program the utility offers says it matters what is using the power, then it does. Their rules if you want the discount.

Like most things in life, if you want a discount, you give something up (usually some form of personal/private data).

And FYI, this is in the U.S. Lots of utilities do it.

I would have signed up in MA, but same problem as the OP, the FCSP isn't a supported EVSE.

 

[F150Redux]

Sort of like my utility giving me $400 for buying an Energy Star heat pump water heater. They still have no idea if I actually installed it though.

Kinda apples and oranges there.

You probably had to provide the utility a receipt for the new heat pump before they gave you the rebate. Besides the rebate, your other incentive, in the eyes of the utility anyways, is that this new device is probably more efficient and will save you money going forward. Altruistically, the utility wants you to install and use the device to save energy.

Would be sort of silly for you to purchase a new heat pump just to get the rebate. I guess maybe you could try returning it after purchasing. There are probably other rules to get the rebate... proof of installation, original UPC/etc. from box.

With the EVSE off-peak discount you only save money if you're actually using the unit and they get your data.

 

[Scorpio3d]

I know Ford did a deal with TXU here in Texas so you could get off peak or free charging.(I don’t remember now). I looked into it briefly about a year ago. I think the rate was like 16.7 cents per kilowatt hour, so it was not a good deal they just charge you a lot for your other electricity usage!

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...u-energy-free-ev-miles-for-ford-drivers-plan/

 

[RickLightning]

Weird, and thanks for the explanation. No such program where I am however they did cut me a check for $400 when I bought a heat pump water heater. Go figure.

In 2021, my utility mandated either a ChargePoint Homeflex or a Juicebox, and you got a $500 rebate. They got the data from the companies.

We had to switch to a time of day plan with peak and off-peak rates, but we had done that in 2018. We also could have gotten an EV only meter, but we had to get an electrican at our expense.

In 2023, it was any UL listed EVSE. Now, it is income-based and impossible to get.

There is also a program called Ford Energy Rewards (also a handful of other car makers and EVSE makers). https://www.ford.com/fordenergyrewards
This program gives you money IF you agree that a handful of times a month when generation is tight, the utility, via Ford, MAY turn off your charging (they do this by Ford changing the charging settings in the truck remotely), or at times of excess generation, they might force you to charge. You can override any request - and I cannot tell you the last time they made one, sometime in 2023 or 2024. So far I have banked like $700.... It used to be $100 a year, it is now $5 a month.

I prevent peak charging via time setting on the charger.

In our market, Ford, BMW, Tesla, as well as Wallbox, ChargePoint HomeFlex, and Emporia owners qualify.

I looked, and New Orleans doesn't participate.

 

[molsonmatt]

In 2021, my utility mandated either a ChargePoint Homeflex or a Juicebox, and you got a $500 rebate. They got the data from the companies.

We had to switch to a time of day plan with peak and off-peak rates, but we had done that in 2018. We also could have gotten an EV only meter, but we had to get an electrican at our expense.

In 2023, it was any UL listed EVSE. Now, it is income-based and impossible to get.

There is also a program called Ford Energy Rewards (also a handful of other car makers and EVSE makers). https://www.ford.com/fordenergyrewards
This program gives you money IF you agree that a handful of times a month when generation is tight, the utility, via Ford, MAY turn off your charging (they do this by Ford changing the charging settings in the truck remotely), or at times of excess generation, they might force you to charge. You can override any request - and I cannot tell you the last time they made one, sometime in 2023 or 2024. So far I have banked like $700.... It used to be $100 a year, it is now $5 a month.

I prevent peak charging via time setting on the charger.

In our market, Ford, BMW, Tesla, as well as Wallbox, ChargePoint HomeFlex, and Emporia owners qualify.

I looked, and New Orleans doesn't participate.

No shit! That’s interesting. I just checked. Not available in my area.

 

[hturnerfamily]

we've dealt with Georgia Power's SUPER-OFFPEAK pricing, which is a huge discount on their 'EV Charging Overnight' rate plan. ANY power usage during the 11pm to 7am timeframe gets the rate, no matter what EVSE you use, how many devices or appliances are in usage, etc... EVERYTHING used during those hours gets the lower rate. Dry your clothes. Bake a cake. Take a Shower. Charge your EV. Use your welder. It doesn't matter.

It's interesting that some EVSE's can report to the utility, or provide amperage usage data, which is why some regions have these 'specific device' options, I suppose. Georgia Power doesn't get that specific.

Some other regions, generally with EMCs, have some EV Charging Overnight rate plans, but they can be very confusing, and hard to ascertain if they make 'cents', since the rules about 'when' these lower rates are in affect are not easily deciphered...

 

[Jodokk]

Love my Chargepoints.
Electric company leased my first one to me for $5 a month four years ago. Gave it back and bought my own two years back, it stopped talking to my innernets, so I called Chargepoint and the sent me a new one, tossed the old one in the box and sent it back.
I did get an automatic email saying it never arrived, but I have a feeling it'll all shake out. Anyhow, I like that 3 year warranty... So far!

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

Interesting how the utilities do different approaches in different markets.
I bought two Grizzl-E chargers, and love them. Very solid units for exterior application.

Our overnight rate from Hydro-One is 2.8 cents plus delivery and with a solar-ESS for the whole property we never use any "on-peak' power ever, even during winter.

The whole solar set up was an expensive build, but now that we have it, there are no 'outages' ever and the utility cost per month is 30-90 dollars even with the Lightning, instead of several-hundred dollars per month before the solar install. Planning to expand the solar set up for a second EV next year.

 

[Calvin H-C]

Wow! I didn't know just how good we have it here in Ontario, Canada.

We get to choose from three pricing plans for hydro (electricity). Nothing about your EVSE matters, it's just what is measured by your meter.

There is a regulatory charge and delivery charge and a taxpayer-funded rebate that basically adds about 4 cents per kWh to start, then your plan adds the electricity cost as one of:

1) Tiered pricing.

9.3¢/kWh for the first 600kWh​

11¢/kWh after that each month​

2) Time of use pricing

7.6¢/kWh off peak​

12.2¢/kWh mid peak​

15.8¢/kWh on peak​

• Off peak is 7 pm to 7 am weekdays and all day weekends and holidays
• Mid peak is 7-11 am and 5-7 pm weekdays in summer
• On peak is 11 am to 5 pm weekdays in summer
• On peak and mid peak reverse in winter

3) Ultra Low Overnight pricing

7.6¢/kWh off peak​

12.2¢/kWh mid peak​

28.4¢/kWh on peak​

2.8¢/kWh overnight​

• The overnight rate applies every day 11 pm to 7 am
• The off peak rate only applies weekends and holidays from 7 am to 11 pm
• Mid peak rate applies 7 to 11 am and 9 to 11 pm weekdays year round
• On peak is 4 to 9 pm weekdays year round

Choice 3 works out best if you have an EV. Bonus if you can run other heavy items after 11 pm, so we usually use the electric clothes dryer overnight. The oven's use is usually dictated by meals, but running the self cleaning cycle can be done overnight.

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