Demystifying Duke Energy’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Rebate Programs

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity as an eco-friendly and cost-effective transportation option. However, many prospective EV owners have questions about installing home charging stations and the costs involved.

Luckily, Duke Energy offers various EV charger rebate programs to make owning an EV more affordable and convenient for their customers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Duke Energy’s rebates, incentives, and solutions for residential and commercial EV charging.

An Introduction to Duke Energy’s EV Charger Rebate Programs

As a leading energy provider committed to innovating the future of electric transportation, Duke Energy offers the following programs to lower the cost of installing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), also known as EV chargers:

• Charger Prep Credit Program: Provides credits and rebates for residential and commercial customers in North Carolina to cover EV charger installation costs.
• Off-Peak Charging Credit: Offers bill credits for residential customers charging EVs during off-peak hours in select states.
• Charger Solution Program: Allows Indiana residential and business customers to rent Level 2 chargers for a monthly flat rate.

The availability and specifics of these programs vary across Duke Energy’s service states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Read on for more details on how Duke Energy’s rebates can save you money on installing home and workplace EV chargers.

Charger Prep Credit Program: Up to $1,000 Off Home EV Charger Installation

Duke Energy’s Charger Prep Credit Program provides North Carolina homeowners and businesses a credit to cover part of the cost of installing Level 2 EV chargers, also known as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE).

This incentive is intended to offset the expense of electrical upgrades often required to support EV charger installation. It ultimately makes owning an EV more affordable.

How It Works

Eligible residential customers can receive a credit of up to $500 for a wall-mounted EV charger or up to $1,000 for a charger on a new dedicated circuit. This credit amount applies to both customer-procured and Duke Energy-facilitated installations.

There are two options to receive the Charger Prep Credit:

• Customer Credit: Submit paid invoices for EVSE installations completed within the last 4 months. Duke Energy then issues a credit check to the customer.
• Contractor Credit: Duke Energy facilitates hiring an approved electrical contractor and applies the credit as a discount to the final contractor invoice.

To qualify, residential customers must install a Level 2 EV charger requiring at least 40 amps on a new dedicated circuit. The credit covers electrical infrastructure upgrades like new wiring and panel upgrades directly related to enabling the EV charger install.

Meanwhile, commercial customers can get a credit of up to $2,500 per charging port for Level 2 public charging stations intended for employee and customer use.

Benefits of the Charger Prep Credit

• Saves money: The credit helps lower the out-of-pocket costs of installing a home EV charger by hundreds of dollars.
• Supports EV adoption: Removing financial barriers makes owning an EV accessible to more Duke Energy customers.
• Offers flexibility: Customers can choose their own electrician or have Duke Energy make arrangements.
• Simple process: The application takes minutes to complete online.

Off-Peak Charging Credit: Up To $200 Off Your Electric Bill

Duke Energy’s Off-Peak Charging Credit provides monetary incentives for EV owners in Florida and Indiana to charge during non-peak hours. This ultimately reduces strain on the electric grid.

How It Works

Residential customers with a Level 2 EV charger can earn a $10 bill credit for each month they charge their EV during off-peak hours. Off-peak times are between 9 pm and 5 am on weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays.

This incentive is limited to $200 per year and $1,000 over the life of program participation. To qualify, customers must have an installed Level 2 charger with a capacity of at least 3.3 kW and enroll in Duke Energy’s Off-Peak Charging Credit program.

Benefits of Off-Peak Charging

• Saves money: Earn up to $200 annually in bill credits simply for charging at night.
• Saves energy: Avoid peak energy use during the daytime hours.
• Reduces grid strain: Charging EVs during low-demand nighttime hours helps prevent electrical overload.
• Simple process: Requires just enrolling in the program after installing a qualifying Level 2 charger.

Off-peak charging is a win-win for both EV drivers and the electrical grid. By harnessing Duke Energy’s rebate, you can painlessly earn savings while supporting smarter grid energy use.

Charger Solution Program: Lease Chargers for a Flat Monthly Fee

Duke Energy’s Charger Solution Program provides Indiana residential and commercial customers with an affordable option to install Level 2 EV chargers through an on-bill rental program.

How It Works

Rather than purchasing an EV charger outright, approved customers pay a fixed monthly fee to rent a charger directly from Duke Energy. This fee covers the charger equipment, standard installation, maintenance, and any potential repairs.

For residential customers, the fee is $39 per month. Business customers pay either $49 per month for a single-head Level 2 charger or $79 per month for a dual-head unit. The charger rental term is a minimum of one year.

Key benefits include:

• Cost savings: No large up-front investment for the EV charger hardware.
• Convenience: Duke Energy coordinates all equipment logistics, installation, and maintenance.
• Accessibility: Expand EV charging access for residents in multi-family housing and workplaces.
• Reliability: Charger repairs and replacements are handled by Duke Energy at no extra cost.

By offering customizable charging solutions, Duke Energy enables more customers to reap the rewards of driving and fueling electric.

Other State-Specific EV Charger Incentives

In addition to the programs outlined above, Duke Energy offers incentives, bill credits, and rebates tailored to customers located in specific states:

• South Carolina: Customers can receive rebates on EV charger costs through the Park & Plug program.
• Florida: The Commercial Charger Rebate Program offers businesses, municipalities, schools, and property managers rebates for installing EV fleet, transit, and school bus chargers.
• Ohio/Kentucky: Currently, no rebate programs are available, but check for updates on new EV incentives.

Be sure to visit Duke Energy’s website or contact their customer service team to get the latest details on incentives available in your area.

How To Apply for Duke Energy Charger Rebates

Applying for Duke Energy’s EV charger rebates only takes a few simple steps:

1. Determine your eligibility based on rebate requirements for your state and customer type (residential/business).
2. Have an eligible Level 2 EV charger installed by a certified electrician or approved Duke Energy contractor.
3. Gather documentation of the installation including invoices and permit copies.
4. Submit rebate applications and supporting documents through the Duke Energy website or by mail.
5. Receive your rebate as a check or bill credit!

Be sure to submit applications within the specified time limits which can vary from 3 months to 1 year after charger installation depending on the program.

Take Full Advantage of Duke Energy’s EV Charger Incentives

Transitioning to an electric vehicle is a smart choice both environmentally and financially. Duke Energy’s generous rebate programs allow consumers and businesses to reap maximum savings from driving electric.

Rather than being deterred by the upfront costs of installing EV chargers, Duke Energy customers can take advantage of:

• Hundreds in rebates and credits to cover installation expenses
• Convenient charger rentals with zero down payment
• Bill credits for off-peak charging sessions

Contact Duke Energy or check your state’s program eligibility and application process to ensure you receive all the EV rebates available to you. With lower equipment costs and discounted charging, you will soon be on the road to emission-free driving.