Jonathan Stewart has always been a fan of electric vehicles, so when the opportunity came to buy his own, he jumped on it.
Stewart drives quite a bit for his job in commercial real estate – 50 to 60 miles per day around Charlotte. Filling the gas tank of his large SUV could drain a budget.
He’ll save on his mileage costs and he saved when he installed an EV charger at his home with Duke Energy’s Charger Prep Credit Program. The program in North Carolina helps cover the cost of installing EV chargers in homes and businesses, reimbursing some customers with a credit of more than $1,000.
Stewart hired an electrician to install a charger in his garage and then requested reimbursement through the program website.
Stewart called the application from start to finish both seamless and straightforward. “Going through the actual process,” he said, “was very easy.”
The result? A check mailed to his home. What Stewart calls “real money.”
Candyce Marsh, who leads the program’s management team, said Duke Energy sees the Charger Prep Credit as a way to help customers “solve an issue for some people in the EV journey – getting your home and business ready.”
The program covers three customer segments in North Carolina: residential, nonresidential and home builders.
Residential customers can choose to have a Duke Energy contractor install the charger or use their own electrician and submit the paperwork for a credit, like Stewart did.
Nonresidential customers are responsible for securing the charger installation and can then apply for the credit.
Duke Energy will give builders of new homes $150 per home to install the EV charger infrastructure during construction.
The Charger Prep Credit Program geared up in June 2022, and by April 2023 had 1,000 customers across the three categories taking part.
That number, Marsh said, shows strong interest from people. “We are very pleased,” she said, “and we’re starting off on a good foot this year as well.”
What motivates Duke Energy to offer something like the Charger Prep Credit Program?
Marsh said the company wants to offer customers innovative choices. Simplifying EV adoption through the Charger Prep Credit Program, she said, does that. “This certainly does make a positive impact.”
The kind of positive impact customers like Stewart appreciate. He’s earmarked that credit to offset the cost of buying his EV.
Rebate programs in Florida and Indiana
Florida: The Commercial Charger Rebate Program reimburses Florida businesses, cities and owners of multi-dwelling properties who install EV chargers for fleets, school buses and transit buses.
Residential EV users who charge their vehicles during off-peak hours with a Level 2 home charger get a credit on their bill.
Indiana: Duke Energy customers can rent Level 2 EV chargers for their homes and businesses. The Charger Solution Program covers specific installation costs, warranties and maintenance.
Duke Energy offers a Commercial Charger Rebate Program in Indiana, a $500 reimbursement per charger to qualifying public and private entities, owners of apartment buildings or retirement communities, and government or workplace fleet operators.
