Next month JEA will be launching an incentive program aimed at electric vehicle drivers that could cover the cost of electricity needed to drive up to 2,000 miles per year.
With more EV models hitting showrooms, JEA is preparing for the additional load that EVs will place on the grid by encouraging drivers to charge at night in return for a rebate based on the number of kilowatts each vehicle uses.
Most EVs have built-in software and apps that allow owners to program them to automatically start and stop charging at specific times, meaning an owner could leave a car plugged in all the time but it only would charge at specific hours at night.
No special equipment will be needed to take part in the rebate program because JEA is able to automatically determine when plug-in vehicles are charging.
Electric vehicle chargers produce a unique “load signature” that appears in metering data, JEA said.
“So as long as that signature shows up, during off peak hours, the customer is eligible for the rebate. If charging is performed during peak hours, the customer is reminded of their commitment before losing the incentive,” said JEA spokeswoman Karen McAllister.
The program will apply to all electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, according to JEA’s Drive Electric website.
The specific details of the program – which was originally scheduled to launch in July – are still being ironed out, so McAllister wasn’t able to immediately specify what hours of charging will qualify for the rebate and how big a rebate customers could receive.
Sales of electric vehicles have been quickly growing as more models such as the Ford Mustang Mach E, Volkswagen ID.4 and others come to market.
EV industry website Electrek reported U.S. electric vehicle sales in May reached 53,779 units, representing a 19.2% increase over April 2021 and a 329% year-over-year increase.
Plug-in vehicle owners who are JEA customers and interested in participating in the rebate program can sign up here.
EV owners also qualifiy for a federal tax credit worth up to $1,000 for installing EV charging equipment in their home. Here’s the IRS form to apply.
In addition, some plug-in vehicles quality for a tax credit up to $7,500. The amount of the credit depends on the size of the vehicle’s battery.
New plug-in vehicles from manufacturers that have already built more than 200,000 EVs – such as General Motors and Tesla – no longer qualify for the credit. Used vehicles also don’t qualify.
For EV buyers its also important to note that tax credits are not the same as rebates. Depending on your tax situation, you may not be able to take advantage of an available credit.
For more information on a the federal plug-in vehicles tax credit is available at this IRS page.
JEA also provides free consultations for EV owners on finding an electrician to install charging station outlets, navigating charging equipment and more.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
