MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (Aug. 27, 2018) – Xcel Energy is launching an industry leading pilot program that will make owning an electric vehicle (EV) an easier choice for customers in Minnesota. The pilot program is part of the company’s long-term clean energy strategy that includes electrifying the transportation industry to benefit the environment and customers, helping them save money and reduce their carbon footprint.
Customers interested in joining this pilot can enroll at www.xcelenergy.com/EVServicePilot beginning at noon Aug. 29. The two-year pilot program will enroll up to 100 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants in the pilot will use new EV charging technology that costs less than previously available options, and they’ll be enrolled in Xcel Energy’s EV Pricing Plan, which can help save money by charging their vehicle in the overnight hours.
“Our commitment to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions is reflected in our support for electric vehicles,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota. “Electric vehicles are great for the environment, and as they become more affordable, we’re going to see more of them on the road. Making it easier for customers to own an electric vehicle while helping them save money, simply makes sense.”
To participate in the current EV Pricing Plan, customers need to install a second electric meter and service line, which can be costly for some customers. Under the pilot program, customers will not need a second meter. Instead, Xcel Energy will install new charging equipment with embedded energy-monitoring capabilities. This equipment will also charge a customer’s EV faster than the standard charger that plugs into a typical household outlet. Pilot customers can choose between paying for this new equipment up-front or over time. Cost estimates show significant cost savings for customers using this new option, and Xcel Energy is running this pilot to confirm those projected savings while improving the overall customer experience.
Xcel Energy’s EV Pricing Plan helps customers save money when charging their vehicles during off-peak times (9 p.m. – 9 a.m. weekdays and all hours on weekends).
Through this pilot, Xcel Energy will help make it easy for customers at each step of their EV journey, by partnering with charging station vendors, contract installers and EV dealerships to ensure customers have a seamless experience as they make the switch to driving electric.
The Minnesota Public Utilities approved the pilot program in April.
For additional information on electric vehicles, click here.
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About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.