If you are interested in the ChargePoint Home Station, now is the time to consider getting it installed and get $400 rebate from your utility. ChargePoint Just got my installed today.
I'd be less skeptical if the utility was not forcing people into a "low cost" plan as a pre-condition of the rebate. Presents from Troy comes to mind
In my case, I am already on EV-A plan, so it should convert to EV-B per the FAQ, and I would stay on EV-B plan after that. I don't think it matters whether or not you have Solar installed. I have solar but this has nothing to do with that.
I think you would have to charge in off peak hours (11-7). If I have to do that, what's the point of a L2 charger, since the L1 charger easily accommodates that schedule? If I bought a L2 charger, I would get it to charge multiple times a day.
If you are on PGE you might want to check with them. I looked into the pilot program and the way I understand it you can be on the E1 plan which could be cheaper for you household electric depending on your usage habits and then they bill the amount used by the submeter at the EV-B rate. The E1 plan would be cheaper in my area because we have a very hot climate in summer. The E1 is not a time of use so you don't have to juggle your usage times. PGE also just (March 1) eliminated the 3rd tier on E1 however they raised the Tier 1 and Tier 2 rates a little.
The E6 plan was discontinued some time ago. I think if you were on it before the change, you were allowed to remain on it. I just got solar with NEM2 metering. I can only be on the ETOU and EV plans.
Sorry I meant E1. I will correct that. I am actually getting ready to have a 2nd PGE meter installed and get on the EV-B plan on the 2nd meter.
I think this would be a great deal if you don't have solar or if you have an underpowered solar system, since you get really cheap overnight rates without the cost of installing an expensive second power meter. However, if you have a solar system that provides 100% of your power with NEM metering, I'm not seeing an advantage other than getting a great deal on the charger.
If your summertime temps were consistently over 100 sometimes 108 you would probably see the need for a 2nd meter as I do. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Oh, now I'm seeing where I went wrong. You can be on E1 on your home and EV-B on the second meter where you charge your car. How much is it to install the second meter? Have you considered solar instead?
Well in my research about adding a 2nd meter I determined that my existing electric panel is one that is known for causing fires and for having a higher rate of failure than most. It's been on my house for 45 yrs so that makes me kinda want to replace it. I live in a relatively small town so finding a reasonable electrician might be easier here. I am going to replace my current meter panel breaker panel combo box with a dual meter socket and 2 subpanels. One for my current house circuits (E1) and one for car charging (EV-B). I did all of the leg work for the electrician as far as finding out what is acceptable with PGE and my city inspector. According to the city and the electrician I'm the 1st person in my town inquiring about a 2nd meter so it's been a learning experience for all of us. I did the planning and figured out what boxes I would need and I am getting the materials myself for the job at a cost of about $650. The electrician is going to charge me $950 labor and PGE charges $110 to come out and install the 2nd meter. That all adds up to $1710. I figure since I am getting a new panel for my house that probably half of the cost should be applied to the 2nd meter project so about $800 + $110. I had originally hoped to add a 2nd meter for $1000 or so so I am in that range except for I am spending more to upgrade my existing house service panel which I am ok with. This way I won't have to tell my wife that she can't do laundry or turn on the electric oven between 2pm and 9pm like I would have if I went to EV-A on a single meter. As far as solar goes I think that I am too old for that to pay off. If I was 20yrs younger I'd have solar in a heartbeat.
I think this $400 rebate might work best for people without solar system in place and are currently on the E1 rate plan and would not want to be inconvenienced by the peak times that EV-A or EV-B plans have. They can install this home charging station, and charge on EV-B plan during off-peak hours to take advantage of the lowest rate, while the main household continue to stay on E1 plan based on Time of Use. When I looked at the FAQs on ChargePoint, it did not provide enough info but the PG&E Pilot Program document provided much more info that I needed. At this point, I am not going for this rebate and the pilot program. But maybe this would be useful to others.
I'm looking at getting an L2 charger as well. I have solar and it provides well over what I need. I sized it like this on purpose, in order to cover most of my EV needs. I have a PIP and Leaf. I've used a ChargePoint at work over 1000 times and they work well. But I don't think I need the WiFi and other features...just a basic plug (25 ft cord, 30 amps) What have other people installed? Mike
