DENVER (Sept. 30, 2021) – Xcel Energy today announced a new pilot for customers of five major automakers to make it easier for consumers to make the switch to electric vehicles in Colorado and to charge their EVs at times when renewable energy production is high and demand on the energy grid is low.

Through its Charging Perks pilot, Xcel Energy is directly working with BMW, Ford, General Motors, and Honda to test how the company can help customers charge their EVs at times when they can save money, use more renewable energy, and when it is most optimal for the energy grid. Xcel Energy initially launched the Charging Perks pilot for Tesla customers in June 2021. The pilot program will include up to 600 EV customers in Colorado.

“Achieving our EV vision to have 1.5 million vehicles on the road in the eight states we serve by 2030 will require unique partnerships and programs. This is one of the first smart charging projects between an energy company and multiple automakers and I believe represents a major opportunity to help our customers do even more to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Alice Jackson, president, Xcel Energy-Colorado. “We’re excited because this pilot enables new paths to help manage the grid as we move to increase renewable generation on our system to approximately 80% by 2030.”

Xcel Energy will work with the automakers to remotely manage when vehicles charge by using on-board communications, smart phone apps, and customer websites – making smart charging easy for customers. Automakers will use information from the customer and their vehicle, pairing it with grid information from Xcel Energy to create a charging schedule that ensures a customer’s vehicle is ready when they need it while also charging at the best times for the energy grid. Customers will receive up to $300 for enrolling and participating in the Charging Perks Pilot.

“BMW is excited to partner with Xcel Energy in creating a ‘win-win’ for the electricity grid and electric vehicles that accelerates a clean energy future for both industries,” said Adam Langton, Energy Services Manager for BMW of North America, LLC. “Our objective is to make sustainability a core component not just of our vehicles, but of every element from design to engineering, supply chain to manufacturing. This holistic approach to sustainability also extends to the electricity that goes into our cars, and we’re very happy that this collaboration brings our digital smart charging software, BMW ChargeForward, to BMW electric vehicle drivers in the Xcel Energy territory.”

"As thousands of new electric vehicle customers in Colorado - and across the country - start plugging in to the grid, smartly managing charging is going to be critical to ensure a smooth transition to an EV lifestyle," said Matt Stover, Director, Charging/Energy Services, Ford Motor Company. "Working with innovative utilities like Xcel Energy will help both all-electric and plug-in hybrid customers manage their charging impact on the grid and use more renewable energy with no extra effort on their part, saving them money in the process and helping even more consumers realize the endless benefits of driving an EV."

“GM is committed to putting everyone in an EV and working with electric utilities is an important aspect of this commitment,” said Alex Keros, lead architect of EV infrastructure and charging at General Motors. “We’re excited to work with Xcel Energy to bring this smart grid pilot program to our EV customers in Colorado. As we bring 30 new EVs to market globally by 2025, we believe programs like this can simultaneously benefit adoption, the grid, and the environment.”

“Honda shares Xcel Energy’s vision of a zero-carbon future, for both electricity and transportation,” said Mariano Hernandez, Energy Business Engineer at Honda. “Xcel Energy’s Charging Perks program and flexible charging schedule enable Honda Clarity customers to maximize their use of renewable energy. We’re proud to work with Xcel Energy to make this program available to our Clarity customers through the HondaLink app.”

Xcel Energy will use this pilot to evaluate and learn about smart charging technology and program design before launching a full program where many more EV customers will be eligible to participate. Xcel Energy has actively participated in research and demonstrations with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to advance electric transportation for many years. EPRI is a close contributor and collaborator in the automotive-utility industry and the creation of the Xcel Energy portal that allows operational engagement with the Open Vehicle-Grid Integration Platform is a great example of this collaboration.

The Charging Perks Pilot is one of several initiatives Xcel Energy is working on as part of its EV vision. This year alone, Xcel Energy has released a suite of programs to help residential and commercial customers make the transition to electric vehicles and lower certain costs.

Customers who are interested in learning more about the Charging Perks Pilot can go to ev.xcelenergy.com/Charging-Perks.

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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 www.xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley, and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and manufactures the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 349 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 143 BMW motorcycle retailers, 116 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of connected, increasingly electrified passenger and commercial vehicles: Ford trucks, utility vehicles, vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles. The company is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, connected vehicle services and mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 186,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company is available at corporate.ford.com.

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

 

Honda in North America

Honda established operations in North America in 1959. Today, the company employs more than 40,000 associates in the region, engaged in the development, manufacturing, sales and service support of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda power equipment, Honda powersports products, the HondaJet advanced lightjet and GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines.

Based on its longstanding commitment to build products close to the customer, Honda operates 19 major manufacturing plants in North America, working with more than 740 suppliers in the region to produce the diverse range of Honda products. In 2019, more than 90 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Honda also operates 14 major research and development centers in North America which fully design, develop and engineer many of the products the company makes in North America.