EVsmart Program General Questions

Why is BGE offering this program?

In 2013, along with nine other states, Maryland signed a memorandum of understanding on state Zero-Emission Vehicle programs. The EVsmart Program fits into this directive and will propel progress on Maryland's Air Quality and Chesapeake Bay goals. These include having 300,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025. Studies show that to meet this goal, approximately 125,000 electric vehicles (EVs) would need to be added to BGE's service territory and about 27,000 public chargers would be needed. By offering the EVsmart program, BGE hopes to encourage more customers to adopt the EV lifestyle over the five years of the EVsmart program.

How is the EVsmart Program being funded?

BGE will seek recovery of the costs of the EVsmart Program from customers through electric service rates in a future regulatory rate review with the Maryland Public Service Commission.

Should I let BGE know that I purchased or leased an EV?

Yes. Registering your vehicle with BGE will help us assess your electricity needs and ensure the continued reliability of electric service in your community as energy demands grow. Customers can self-report their EV ownership to BGE.

How many rebates are available through the EVsmart Program?

• 1,000 residential rebates

• 700 multifamily property rebates

• 500 BGE-owned public charging network
  

EVsmart Residential Rebate

What is the amount of the EVsmart Level 2 charger rebate?

BGE residential customers can receive a $300 rebate after the purchase and installation of select Level 2 chargers at their home.

How do I qualify for the EVsmart residential rebate program?

You must be an active BGE residential customer and have purchased and installed an eligible Level 2 charger after July 1, 2019. You must have secure home Wi-Fi to operate your charger. Additionally, BGE must be able to access customer EV charging data. Limit one rebate per household.

How do I apply for the rebate?

You can apply for the EVsmart residential rebate by reviewing the eligibility requirements and completing the application. Rebate applications must be submitted following successful installation. Apply for the rebate here. You may also email the PDF application to EVsmart@bge.com.

Which Level 2 chargers are approved through the EVsmart residential rebate program?

How do I purchase a Level 2 charger approved for the EVsmart residential rebate?

You can purchase an approved Level 2 charger directly from a manufacturer or through an online retailer.

What are the benefits of a Level 2 charger?

With a Level 2 charger, you can charge your EV up to 6 times faster than with a standard Level 1 charger using a wall outlet, adding up to 25 miles of range per hour of charging. You can also set charging reminders, schedule charging and track energy usage right from your charger app. In addition, select Level 2 charger models allow you to manage home charging with just the sound of your voice using Amazon Alexa.

How much does the average charger and installation cost?

The average Level 2 charger costs $500–$600. Installation costs can vary from $200 to $1,000, depending on your electrician and the extent of the work required.

Who will install my charger?

A qualified independent electrician can install your Level 2 charger for you.

I am ready to have an EV charger installed. What questions should I ask an electrician?

Are you licensed and insured? It is important to make sure the electrician is licensed in the state of Maryland and carry insurance in case of any incidents. The Maryland Department of Labor offers information regarding Maryland consumer advice for selecting a licensed contractor.

Have you installed EV charging stations in the past? Most electricians will be able to perform an installation, but it may be reassuring to know they have experience with EV charging equipment. Some professional services search engines such as Angie’s List and Home Advisor now have search forms specific to EV charging installation services to help you narrow down your options.

A recommended practice is to obtain more than one estimate to ensure you’re getting accurate information and pricing.

I’ve installed my EV charger, but the Wi-Fi is not connecting. What now?

The charger location needs to have access to your home’s Wi-Fi signal. In some cases, you may require a Wi-Fi range extender to increase the range of your Wi-Fi signal to reach your garage or other location of your charging station.

What is the difference between a hardwired charger and one that plugs in?

Your electrician may ask if you would like to install a charger that is hardwired or plugged in. A plug-in charger will require the installation of a high-powered outlet, like the outlet your dryer uses. A plug-in charger may offer greater flexibility for future needs. Alternatively, you can choose to hardwire your charger directly to your home, which is typically a more permanent option.

Will I need a permit for my EV charger installation?

You may. Talk with your electrician about the permit requirements for your project. This could increase the project cost, but it is a requirement for your EV charger installation dependent on the scope and location of your residence. Here are some guidelines and resources by BGE service territory that may help –

I have a ChargePoint charging station. How do I activate and connect it to the BGE network?

After you install your charging station, activate the ChargePoint Home station then connect to the EVsmart Program network using this link or manually enter the code BGEEVsmart into the Connections feature on the ChargePoint mobile app.

When will I receive my rebate?

Once BGE receives a completed application and confirms the Level 2 charger is connected to the network, you can expect your rebate check in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

How quickly can a Level 2 charger charge my EV?

This depends on the size of your EV's battery and how depleted the battery is. An average EV can get a full charge in 4 to 6 hours using a Level 2 charger.

Will my electric bill increase?

Charging an EV will increase your home's energy use, so your bills are likely to rise. However, the cost of electricity is much lower than the cost of gasoline per mile traveled, so you could save 15% or more on fuel costs. These savings may be higher if you take advantage of off-peak charging rates and/or special utility EV rates. See electric rate options and benefits here.

What other incentives are available?

As a BGE customer, you could see additional savings on your home charger and installation through rebates and incentives offered by the U.S. Department of Energy and Maryland Energy Administration. For more information, visit the DOE website or MEA website.

EVsmart Multifamily Property Rebate

How do I qualify for the EVsmart multifamily property rebate?

You must be an active BGE electric customer on Schedule G, GS or GL and own and operate the multifamily property. You must purchase and install an eligible Level 2 charger or DC fast charger (DCFC) after July 1, 2019. You will be required to provide BGE with charging data, as well as the costs the EV drivers pay to charge their vehicles.

How do I apply for the rebate?

You can apply for the EVsmart multifamily property rebate by reviewing the eligibility requirements and completing the application. Rebate applications must be submitted within 30 days of successful installation. Apply for the rebate here. You may also email the PDF rebate application to EVsmart@bge.com.

What are the rebate amounts for this program?

BGE will rebate 50% of the cost of eligible Level 2 smart charging equipment, warranty and installation up to $5,000 per port. BGE will also rebate 50% of the costs of eligible DC fast charger (DCFC) equipment, warranty and installation up to $15,000. There is a maximum of $25,000 in rebates per site.

What brands and models of chargers are eligible through the multifamily property rebate program?

How do I purchase and install EV chargers approved for the EVsmart multifamily property rebate?

Please contact the network providers using the contact information provided above and request additional information about their products and services.

What other incentives are available?

BGE customers could see additional savings on your home charger and installation through rebates and incentives offered by the U.S. Department of Energy and Maryland Energy Administration. For more information, visit the DOE website or MEA website.

What are the benefits of multifamily property chargers?

The number of EV owners is growing, and more existing and prospective tenants are expected to start requesting EV charging as an amenity. BGE's rebates help offset the cost of this investment to provide charging benefits to multifamily residents. Home charging currently makes up 75% of all EV charging, so multifamily property managers and owners are influential in increasing EV adoption.

Does BGE offer bill credits to commercial customers that install EV charging stations?

Yes. BGE provides a 30-month bill credit to commercial customers who install EV charging stations at multifamily properties, workplaces or in support of fleets.  The EV demand credit amount will equal up to 50% of the installed L2 and/or DCFC charging capacity.  Customers will receive a monthly credit for either 50% of the installed EV charging capacity or the actual billed demand charges for that month if it is lower. To enroll in this credit program, please apply here.

(Example: For a customer who installs three Level 2 chargers at 13kW each (totaling 39kW), BGE would provide a credit for 19.5kW multiplied by the current BGE demand charge.  If the actual billed demand charge is less than 19.5kW, the customer will receive a credit for equal to what they are billed in demand charges that month.)

Public Charging Network

What network of chargers are used for the BGE public charging infrastructure?

BGE is working with Greenlots to provide a reliable charging network to our customers.

How much does it cost to use a BGE EVsmart public charger?

• Customers will pay $0.18 per kWh to charge on BGE’s EVsmart Level 2 chargers and $0.34 per kWh to charge on BGE’s EVsmart DC Fast Chargers. BGE’s public charging tariff can be found here.
  
• An average EV with a 60kW battery and a 200-mile range would gain about 3.3 miles of driving range per kWh of charge. This translates to about 24 miles of range for every hour of charging on the BGE Level 2 charger, which would cost approximately $1.30. Using a BGE DC Fast Charger increases the driving range per hour of charging significantly, charging an EV in a much shorter timeframe. Charging with the DC Fast Charger for 15 minutes would result in about 37 miles of driving range and would cost approximately $3.83.

How do I use a BGE public charger?

To initiate a charging session on BGE’s EVsmart chargers, scan the QR code on the chargers using the Greenlots mobile app on iPhone or Android. Customers can also use Greenlots RFID cards to initiate charge sessions or pay via credit card by calling 855-900-PLUG (7584).

What do I do if a BGE public charger is not working?

If the BGE public charger is not working, please call Greenlots at 855-900-PLUG (7584)

Does BGE offer bill credits to commercial customers that install EV charging stations?

Yes. BGE provides a 30-month bill credit to commercial customers who install EV charging stations at multifamily properties, workplaces or in support of fleets.  The EV demand credit amount will equal up to 50% of the installed L2 and/or DCFC charging capacity.  Customers will receive a monthly credit for either 50% of the installed EV charging capacity or the actual billed demand charges for that month if it is lower. To enroll in this credit program, please apply here.

(Example: For a customer who installs three Level 2 chargers at 13kW each (totaling 39kW), BGE would provide a credit for 19.5kW multiplied by the current BGE demand charge.  If the actual billed demand charge is less than 19.5kW, the customer will receive a credit for equal to what they are billed in demand charges that month.)

Does BGE offer any discounts for charging on the BGE charging network?

Yes. BGE customers with five or more electric vehicles registered in Maryland can qualify for a discounted fleet rate of $0.255/kWh, 25% off BGE’s current DC Fast Charger rate of $0.34/kWh. Learn more and apply for the discounted rate.