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Electric Vehicle Basics

How does a Plug-In Electric Vehicle Work?

A plug-in electric vehicle is a vehicle that can be plugged into an electrical outlet or charging device to recharge its battery. There are two types: battery electric vehicles, which run only on electricity, and plug-in hybrids, which run mainly or solely on electricity until the battery is depleted and then are powered by an internal combustion engine.

How Does A Battery Electric Vehicle Work?

A battery electric vehicle is fueled only by electricity, essentially replacing gasoline, diesel or other types of combustible fuels. It is purely electric, utilizing an electric motor to propel itself. A battery electric vehicle must plug in to a power source to recharge its battery.

How Does A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Work?

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a vehicle that uses both gasoline (stored in a gas tank) and electricity (stored in a battery).

Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicles can be categorized by the way they manage their gasoline and electricity:

  • A parallel hybrid uses both a combustion engine and an electric motor to deliver power to the wheels. The use of these two forms of power varies from vehicle to vehicle: the vehicle can be powered by just the electric motor, just the combustion engine, or a combination of both depending on driving conditions.
  • A series hybrid is directly powered only by the electric motor. The combustion engine is only used to recharge the battery, acting as an electric generator that converts gasoline to electricity. The three are aligned in-series: the combustion engine, then the electric motor, then the wheels. The market has commonly termed this as an extended-range electric vehicle because of its similarity to an all-electric battery electric vehicle, with the exception of using gasoline to "extend" its range.

What Should I Consider Before Purchasing An Electric Vehicle

Similar to selecting a gasoline-powered car, choosing the electric vehicle that's best for you depends on a number of different factors including your driving habits and personal preference. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Total Range: How far will you travel? The total range of current electric vehicles vary greatly—anywhere from 40-350 miles.
  • Gasoline Use: How much gasoline do you want to use? The battery capacity of an electric vehicle determines how far you can go without using a drop of gasoline.
  • Charging: Where will you charge? Where you drive and how you'll charge your vehicle can help you decide which electric vehicle will meet your needs.

If your daily commute is less than 40 miles, many electric vehicles—hybrid or battery electric—will be able to handle your daily driving without the need for gas. If you want the ability to drive much farther, several battery electric vehicles can travel 100 to 200+ miles on a charge. If you need to drive farther without charging, consider an extended-range hybrid like the Chevy Volt.

What Are The Typical Maintenance Costs Of An Electric Vehicle?

Plug-in electric vehicles typically have lower total cost of ownership and, in particular, lower maintenance costs. This is because they have fewer moving parts, reduced oil changes (or none for a full electric) and fewer brake jobs—battery regeneration absorbs most of the energy. Hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles can go 100,000 miles before receiving a brake job.

What Will Happen To The Battery After It Has Exceeded Its Life Expectancy?

They will probably be recycled, but PG&E and others are researching second-life applications.

Find out what PG&E is doing.

Are There Conveniently Located Charging Stations Where I Can Charge My Electric Vehicle?

Yes, public charging stations are located in supermarket parking lots, city garages, gas stations and many other locations across the country. Some public charging stations are free and others require a fee or membership.

PG&E is also supporting installations of charging stations at workplaces and multi-family residences through the EV Charge Network Program. Visit EV Charge Network.

What Are The Environmental Benefits Of An Electric Vehicle?

Electric vehicles reduce the amount of gasoline we burn and are less costly to maintain, among many other benefits:

  • Reduced Operating Emissions: The emissions associated with the electric drivetrain of plug-in electric vehicles come from power plants generating electricity to charge the batteries and not from tailpipe emissions. Additionally, from well to wheel, electric vehicles emit approximately 66 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) compared with internal combustion vehicles. CO2 is the principal gas associated with global warming.
  • Water Quality Preservation: Decreased use of petroleum gasoline and motor oil means fewer spills and pollution to oceans, rivers and ground water.
  • Reduced Noise: In addition to being cleaner, electric vehicles are quieter than gasoline-powered vehicles, resulting in less noise pollution.

Additionally, more than two-thirds of the electricity PG&E provides comes from sources that are either renewable or emit no greenhouse gases. That's why by choosing to drive an electric vehicle, you are helping to reduce pollution.

What Are The Driving Benefits Of An Electric Vehicle?

  • Laws and Incentives: California has adopted several laws to accommodate the use of plug-in electric vehicles, including the qualification of select plug-in electric vehicles to use the HOV lane. View the qualifying vehicles for clean air vehicle decals.
  • Safety: Many electric vehicles receive top National Highway Safety Traffic Administration safety ratings.

To date, findings have shown that several electric vehicle features maximize safety. For example, electric vehicles tend to have a lower center of gravity that makes them less likely to roll over, electric vehicles have less potential for major fires or explosions and the body construction and durability of electric vehicles enhance vehicle safety in a collision.

What Are The Financial Benefits Of Owning An Electric Vehicle?

  • Lower Operational Costs: The estimated cost of electricity needed to power a plug-in electric vehicle is about one-third of the cost of gasoline.
  • Lower Maintenance Costs: The electrical components of plug-in electric vehicles require little to no regular maintenance due to far less moving parts. In hybrids, this leads to less wear and tear of gasoline components.
  • Rebates & Tax Credits: Many government agencies and local and regional entities offer rebates and tax credits, up to $7,500, to encourage the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles.

To date, findings have shown that several electric vehicle features maximize safety. For example, electric vehicles tend to have a lower center of gravity that makes them less likely to roll over, electric vehicles have less potential for major fires or explosions and the body construction and durability of electric vehicles enhance vehicle safety in a collision.

Rates and Costs

If I try the EV2-A rate and don't like it, can I change to another rate?

Yes, customers have the option of PG&E's tiered rate (E-1), tiered, time-of-use rate (E-TOU) or our separately metered EV rate plan, EV-B. It is important to note that EV-B customers will be losing the less costly off-peak rates formerly applied to home power use. The EV-B rate also requires the installation of a separate meter, which may come at a significant cost to the customer."

What vehicles are eligible for PG&E's EV rate?

PG&E's electric vehicle (EV) rate applies to all PG&E customers who have a currently registered battery electric vehicle (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) charged via a charging outlet at the customer's residence. PG&E's EV rate is not available to customers with a conventional hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), low speed electric vehicle or electrically powered motorcycles or bicycles.

Veiw the EV2-A Full Schedule and Rates

Veiw the EV-B Full Schedule and Rates

How do I get billed for electricity if I plug in at home, work, a public charging station or a friend's house? What if a friend charges his/her vehicle at my house?

Electricity used when charging an electric vehicle at home will appear as a charge in the customer's normal monthly utility bill. When charging at a friend's house, that electricity usage will appear on the friend's bill. We anticipate that billing systems for vehicle charging outside the home will evolve over time in ways similar to how customers today pay for gasoline. If your place of employment has a charging station, ask your employer how the electricity from the charger is billed.

How does paying for kilowatt hours compare to buying gasoline?

The U.S. Energy Department has created a website to determine an eGallon, or the cost of fueling a vehicle with electricity compared to a similar vehicle that runs on gasoline. On PG&E's EV-2A rate, during off-peak hours electricity costs the equivalent of around $1.60 per eGallon.

View eGallon info.

Will electric vehicles drive up the price of electricity?

The effect of plug-in electric vehicles on electricity rates will be determined in large part by the California Public Utilities Commission. The CPUC is currently investigating rates, charging infrastructure and other policies to prepare for the expected growth of plug-in electric vehicles.

800% of Basline EV Rate Eligibility Requirement

What is the new EV 800% of baseline eligibility requirement?

As of July 1, 2019, PG&E's EV rates are subject to a new usage requirement. Customers on an EV rate cannot have annual usage of more than 8 times (800%) of annual baseline allowance for their area. Customers who exceed and have been on the rate at least 12 months are subject to be moved to the Time of Use (Peak Pricing 5-8 p.m. Weekdays) TOU-D rate plan."

How is baseline calculated?

Baseline is determined by your climate zone, the season, and your heating source. For more information on baseline allowance, please visit www.pge.com/baseline.

My EV rate doesn't have a baseline allowance on my bill. How do you determine the baseline allowance?

EV-A & EV-B

  • The Tiered rate (E-1) baseline allowance is used to calculate baseline

Home Charging EV2-A

  • Time-of-Use (Peak Pricing 49 p.m. Every Day) is used to calculate baseline

What happens if I exceed 800% of baseline?

Customers will receive an alert letter every month in which their cumulative usage (up to 12 months) exceeds 800% of their cumulative baseline allowance. Depending on customer's usage and how long they've been on the rate, customers could reduce usage to below 800% of baseline and remain on the rate.

If a customer exceeds 800% of baseline and has been on the rate 12 months or longer, they will be removed from the EV rate after they receive at least one alert and placed on the Time of Use (Peak Pricing 5-8 p.m. Weekdays) TOU-D rate.

Can I return back to the EV rate if I lower my usage to under 800%?

Customers who are removed from their EV rate due to exceeding 800% of baseline can return to an EV rate 12 months after being removed."

If I am transitioned to E-TOU-D, when will it be effective on my bill?

The new rate will be effective the first day of the next billing cycle. Customers can expect to receive their first billing statement 2-3 months from when the final transition notification is received."

Can I elect to be transitioned to a rate other than E-TOU-D?

Customers can do a rate comparison by visiting www.pge.com/rateanalysis to determine which non-EV rate is best for them. At that point, or at any point, they can change their rate online.

If I have more than one EV do I receive more baseline?

Usage beyond 800% of baseline is unlikely to be related to EV charging. The baseline allowance was designed to account for an average household usage and two electric vehicles, with each vehicle accounting for approximately 100% of baseline. Additional baseline allowance is not granted based on number of EVs or specific climate zones."

What changes can I make to reduce my usage and stay on the EV rate?

Reducing energy usage at home with changes in behavior or adopting energy efficiency upgrades.

Customers can visit these resource pages for tips and tools to reduce usage:

www.pge.com/ratechoices

www.pge.com/homenergycheckup (requires login)

www.pge.com/billalert (NEM not eligible)

Customers can also charge away from home, at public stations or at their workplace, to reduce energy consumption at home.

Home Charging EV2-A Rate Plan

Why was the new Home Charging EV2-A Rate developed?

The Home Charging EV2-A rate was developed to encourage conservation and for the benefit of EV charging. The extended Time of Use hours take advantage of low-cost energy costs when demand is lowest and also take advantage of renewable energy available in the middle of the day.

What is the difference between EV-A and Home Charging EV2-A?

Like EV-A, Home Charging EV2-A applies to whole home energy usage, including electric vehicle and/or battery charging.

EV-AHome Charging EV2-A
Peak2:00pm - 9:00pm M-F and 3:00pm - 7:00pm Sat, Sun, and Holidays4:00pm - 9:00pm everyday
Partial Peak7:00am -2:00pm and 9:00pm - 11:00pm M-F except Holidays3:00pm - 4:00pm and 9:00pm - 12:00am everyday
Off-PeakAll other hours12:00am - 3:00pm everyday

Home Charging EV2-A time-of-use periods apply every day, including weekends and holidays.

Updated Pricing as of March 1, 2021

SUMMER

EV-AHome Charging EV2-A
Peak$0.56201$0.49616
Partial Peak$0.30714$0.38567
Off-Peak$0.14381$0.18366

WINTER

EV-AHome Charging EV2-A
Peak$0.40828$0.36905
Partial Peak$0.24768$0.35235
Off-Peak$0.14722$0.18366

Seasonal Changes

On Home Charging EV2-A summer season is June 1 - September 30, and winter season is October 1 - May 31.

On EV-A summer season is May 1 - October 31, and winter season is November 1 - April 30.

Battery Storage Customers

Battery storage only customers who have applied for interconnection and received Permission to Operate (PTO) may be eligible for enrollment on the Home Charging EV2-A rate. Customers may need to provide information on battery storage capacity upon enrollment in the rate.

When will EV-A customers be transitioned to EV2-A?

The EV-A rate closed to new enrollments on July 1, 2019. Customers currently on EV-A will be transitioned to EV2-A based on their NEM grandfathered status.

I received a notice my rate is transitioning from EV-A to EV2-A. How do I find out what date my rate will change?

The EV-A rate closed to new enrollments on July 1, 2019. Customers on the EV-A rate are automatically transitioned to the EV2-A on a rolling basis.

Transitions are scheduled based on each customer's last billed date, and the new rate is effective on the first date of the following bill cycle.

For more information on how to find your bill cycle date on your PG&E bill please refer to the 2021 meter reading schedule (PDF, 115 KB)PDF.

If you received a notice of an upcoming transition to the EV2-A rate you can use the meter read date along with the transition schedule information below to determine an approximate start date on the new rate. Please note that meter read dates can vary between two days before and two days after the posted dates.

Week 1: Meter read dates 6/1 - 6/7 will be transitioned on 6/10

Week 2: Meter read dates 7/8 6/14 will be transitioned on 6/17

Week 3: Meter read dates 6/15 6/21 will be transitioned on 6/24

Week 4: Meter read dates 6/22 6/30 will be transitioned on 7/1

Example:
Customer is on meter read schedule "Y" and their meter is read on 6/22. This date is included in the transition schedule for week 4 with the transition date happening on 7/1. The rate effective date will be back-dated to coincide with the start of the customer's next bill cycle, 6/23. EV chargers should be reprogrammed to start charging at 12 a.m. instead of 11 p.m. on 6/23 to be aligned with off-peak hours of their new rate Home Charging EV2-A.

Charging and Installation

Who do I contact to set up a charging station for my car?

Work with your electrical contractor to evaluate your home's wiring, electrical outlets and other hardware that can support the charging requirements of your new electric vehicle.

Your dealer may offer a home assessment as part of the electric vehicle purchase price. Some automakers offer a consultation with an electrical contractor as part of the electric vehicle purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: PG&E can only perform work outside the home at your meter/electrical panel location to enable the necessary utility service to the house.

What does it cost to get plug-in ready?

Total cost varies depending on current electrical design, local code requirements, the rate and charging options you choose and other factors. Potential costs include the following:

  • Charging equipment installation: This cost can be provided by your licensed electrical contractor.
  • Second electrical meter installation: You'll need to budget for the installation of a second electrical meter and service panel if you decide to switch to PG&E's EV-B pricing plan. This allows your home's electric load to be measured on the existing meter while a second meter and dedicated breaker is used to measure your electric vehicle's energy usage. PG&E charges a one-time $100 fee to residential customers for any new meter installation—in addition to any service upgrade costs.
  • Electrical panel upgrade: This applies to customers who choose the faster charging Level 2 option, which utilizes 208-240 volts. This adds significant load to you electrical panel, resulting in an electrical panel upgrade. The upgrade cost can be provided by a licensed electrical contractor.
  • Utility service upgrade: Your home may require utility electrical system upgrades in order to charge the vehicle and/or accommodate a second meter. This cost can be determined by PG&E after an on-site assessment.

What do I need to do if my situation changes?

  • If you're Moving: If you move to another residence you will need to contact us and follow the process for getting your new home ready for your electric vehicle.
  • If you're Purchasing a second vehicle: Please contact us if you are considering purchasing a second vehicle so that we can evaluate the utility side of your service to ensure you have adequate capacity to charge both vehicles. You may want to hire your own qualified electrical contractor to evaluate your load capacity, including accommodating your new Level I and Level 2 charging requirements.
  • If you no longer own an electric vehicle: If you no longer require the electric vehicle rate, please call us to request that the electric vehicle service be turned off. There is no charge for disconnecting the EV-B meter panel or cancelling the rate.

Can PG&E shut off my vehicle charging?

Only a power outage or failure to pay your electric bill will interrupt vehicle charging without your permission.

Can I sell back electricity from my electric vehicle battery through vehicle-to-grid technology?

This technology is not currently available. However, PG&E is currently researching the future feasibility of vehicle-to-grid applications.

How do I charge my electric vehicle when I’m not at home? Where else can I charge it?

If your vehicle is capable of charging at 110 volts, you will be able to plug your vehicle into any standard outlet for charging while away from home (assuming you can get permission to plug your vehicle from the outlet owner).

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have gasoline engines, so you can always buy gasoline as you ordinarily do to extend the range of your vehicle.

With battery electric vehicles, to avoid inconveniences you will want to fully charge your vehicle before you leave home, especially if the round trip you are taking is close to the range of the vehicle. If the trip is longer than the range of the vehicle you will need to plan where you will be able to recharge your vehicle.

Solar Power and Electric Vehicles

When will NEM customers be transitioned to the new EV rate?

NEM customers are eligible for 5-years of grandfathering based on their Permission to Operate (PTO) date. Please refer to this table for an example schedule.

NEM1 Transition Examples

  • PTO Date Prior to 1130/14: No Grandfathering
  • PTO Date 12/1/14 - 11/30/15: Grandfathered until November 2020
  • PTO Date 12/1/15 - 11/30/16: Grandfathered until November 2021
  • PTO Date 12/1/16 - 11/30/17: Grandfathered until November 2022

NEM2 Transition Examples

  • NEM 2.0 Active Date 12/16/16 - 11/30/17: Grandfathered until November 2022
  • NEM 2.0 Active Date 12/1/17 - 11/30/18: Grandfathered until November 2023
  • NEM 2.0 Active Date 12/1/18 - 11/30/19: Grandfathered until November 2024
  • NEM 2.0 Active Date 12/1/19 - 10/31/20: Grandfathered until November 2025

I have a rooftop solar-power system. What are my rate options?

PG&E customers who have a solar generating system and an electric vehicle are eligible to enroll in the electric vehicle rates EV2-A and EV-B.

How will having solar panels impact the cost of charging an electric vehicle?

The electricity generated from a solar generating system could help offset the costs of electricity used to charge an electric vehicle. The net effect of the solar generating system will depend on the system's efficiency, the weather, the amount of energy used to charge the vehicle and other factors.

Will charging an electric vehicle affect my solar power agreement?

Charging an electric vehicle will not impact your solar power agreement as long as there are no changes to your solar generating system. To make changes to your solar generating system, please work with your contractor and apply via the ACE-IT interconnection portal located at https://www.egi-pge.com/

If I add solar panels to my existing solar generating system to compensate for charging an electric vehicle, are those new panels eligible for a rebate?

If you already have installed a solar generating system and have received a rebate for the system, you are eligible to receive a new rebate for any additional solar panels that are added to the system. The rebate will be directly proportional to the size of the new installation.

PLEASE NOTE: PG&E will not energize a new service until the completed work passes inspection and PG&E has been notified of such by the city or county.

EV solutions provided by ZappyRide, a J.D. Power business.
Figures shown on this page are estimates based on data provided by third-parties. This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or financial advice. Neither J.D. Power® nor PG&E provides tax, legal, or financial advice. You should independently verify the estimates provided here before engaging in any transaction.
“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. ©2020 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved. These offerings are funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

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