Nova Scotia Power and EV.Energy announced an innovate new Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Pilot Program in the Maritime province.
The program aims to explore the potential of smart charging in preparing for the increased adoption of electric vehicles on the road. Its focus is on understanding the advantages it offers to the grid and the people of Nova Scotia. Through the partnership with EV.Energy not only can the charging of your EV be shifted to periods of lower demand, like overnight, it can also be adjusted to periods of high wind generation, meaning a cleaner carbon footprint for your EV.
Ed Cullinan, Manager of Product Development from Nova Scotia Power, explains that this innovative approach helps reduce strain on the province’s electrical system, enhancing overall grid efficiency and potentially lowering electricity costs for all residents. Additionally, customers have the opportunity to collaborate with Nova Scotia Power, saving money on their bills while ensuring their EVs are fully charged when needed.
“Using a wind generation forecast to determine charging times has proven to be a successful strategy. By shifting charging to times when our generation mix is lower carbon, we can make a meaningful difference. For example, in one test of managed charging, we were able to reduce carbon emissions by over 10 per cent. This is compared against the regular charging that would have otherwise started as soon as the customer plugged in,” Cullinan said.
By participating in this pilot program, eligible customers will receive a $20/month bill credit, amounting to savings of up to $200 over the duration of the pilot. Furthermore, you will have total charging control, as the mobile app will notify you when charging may be slower to reduce demand. However, you always have the option to override this and choose to “boost” charging if you need it urgently.
The vehicles able to participate in this pilot are:
- BMW i3 / i3 REX, i4, iX
- Chevrolet Bolt, Volt
- Jaguar i-Pace
- Ford Mustang Mach E, F150 Lightning
- Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model Y
- Land Rover Range Rover PHEV
- Toyota Prius Prime, RAV4 Prime
To participate in the pilot, you must own one of the above eligible electric vehicles and not be enrolled in the current Smart Grid Nova Scotia ChargePoint pilot program.
More information, including how to enroll and download the EV.Energy app, can be found here.
