Vermont Public Power Supply Program to Provide Rebates, Free EV Chargers

by Peter Maloney
APPA News
November 6, 2022

Vermont Public Power Supply (VPPSA), in partnership with Efficiency Vermont, is offering free electric vehicle chargers to customers of its member utilities.

Through the PowerShift program, VPPSA plans is offering a free FLO X5 level 2 charger and a $500 rebate to assist with charger installation costs on a limited-time, first-come, first-served basis.

Participating customers must have purchased or leased an all-electric vehicle on or after Jan. 1, 2022.

The goal of the program is to shift the times that grid-enabled devices in VPPSA member homes use energy. Customers participating in the program will set their electric vehicle charger to a daily schedule that shifts away from peak times in the evening energy demand hours so that electric vehicle charging occurs when costs are lowest.

VPPSA expects electric vehicles to replace a large number of gasoline-powered cars in the coming years and sees that change as beneficial to meeting its emission reduction goals as Vermont’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) comes from the transportation sector. VPPSA views flexible load management is a key component to sustainable electric vehicle growth.

Technologies like electric vehicles can flex their usage to times when utility costs are lowest and powered by the cleanest sources, VPPSA said, adding that when peak demand is high it causes increased operational costs and can impact electricity rates.

“EV adoption is an important strategy in lowering GHG, but as we make this transition it is important to keep electricity reliable and bills affordable,” Julia Leopold, VPPSA’s director of public affairs, said in a statement. “The PowerShift program helps the VPPSA community learn more about how EV adoption impacts our grid, and how to work with our customers to keep their energy burdens low.”

Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help them transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce.

VPPSA provides municipal electric utility members with services, including regulatory assistance, financial planning, and power supply. VPPSA members include Barton Village Electric, Village of Enosburg Falls, Hardwick Electric Department, Jacksonville Electric Company, Village of Johnson, Ludlow Electric Light Department, Lyndonville Electric Department, Morrisville Water & Light, Northfield Electric Department, Orleans Electric, and Swanton Village.