MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (Feb. 6, 2020) – Xcel Energy customers now have a new option to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) for an affordable, flat monthly price. The electric vehicles pilot program creates an easy way for EV drivers to get a home charger, have it installed, and pay a flat monthly rate to charge their vehicle. Xcel Energy’s programs to support electric vehicles is another way the company is working to help customers and communities reduce their carbon footprints.
How the subscription pilot works
Under this new, two-year pilot program, eligible Minnesota customers will have a level 2 charger installed at their homes and have unlimited EV charging overnight (9 p.m. – 9 a.m.) and on weekends. Pilot customers can choose to either rent or own the charging equipment. Flat, monthly subscription prices range from about $33 a month to about $44 a month, depending on whether the customer rents the charging equipment or purchases it up front.
“Electric vehicles present an opportunity to make the most of our clean energy investments while creating new and affordable options for our customers,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota. “Our commitment to clean energy is reflected in our support for EVs, and we will continue to pioneer innovative programs that will make it easier for customers to own an electric vehicle while helping them save money and reduce carbon emissions.”
Xcel Energy will enroll up to 100 participants for the two-year pilot. Customers can sign up through one of 11 dealerships in the Twin Cities metro area. Interested customers can visit Xcel Energy’s CONNECT blog (external link) for a list of dealerships and more information.
Driving electric is good for both the environment and the pocketbook, because EVs charged on Xcel Energy’s system have about one-third the emissions of a gasoline powered vehicle at a cost equivalent to less than $1 per gallon of gas. EV owners can go even further by participating in the company’s Windsource program, charging with 100% carbon-free wind power.
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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.