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Charging Rates: Frequently Asked Questions

There is an EV Phase-In Rate, which is designed to mitigate the impact of demand charges by phasing them in as site utilization increases. The EV Phase-In Rate is only for qualifying commercial customers (who would otherwise take service under SC9 rates 1 and 2, and PASNY Rate 1 and 2). More information can be found here.

There are also targeted incentives for EV charging stations such as Make-Ready Incentives, SmartCharge Commercial, and SmartCharge NY.

Your options may include installing the new EV charging load under a separate meter or combining the EV charging load with an existing facility load behind the same meter, or “co-locating” the load.

Use our EV charging cost calculator to compare your options.

Your bill is made up of three different types of costs—delivery, supply, and government taxes and fees. Delivery rates are set by state regulatory agencies and aren’t subject to market changes. This revenue lets us maintain and upgrade our electric and gas distribution systems and keep our service safe and reliable.

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There are three basic methods of billing for electric delivery service.  Many variations and combinations are included in each rate option.

  • Fixed charges ($ per month) also known as customer charges
  • Volumetric charges ($ per kWh of energy use)
  • Demand charges ($ per kW of peak demand)
Under a demand charge rate structure, customers are charged based on the facility’s maximum draw of power (or demand) during the specific rate’s given time periods. Managing your energy use to draw a steady load and reduce large spikes in demand can help to lower demand charges. Under time-of-day rate options, charging vehicles during off-peak periods can lower demand charges. Use our EV charging cost calculator to estimate the impact your EV charging load will have on your electric bill.

Your meter measures the average demand (kW) used in every 15-minute interval. Demand charges are based on the average of the two highest consecutive 15-minute interval demands during the period set by the rate.

How demand is measured under each rate:

  • Conventional Rate Demand charges are based on the maximum demand for the month.
  • Time-of-day Rate Demand charges are based on the maximum demand for each time period, for example, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or all hours.
  • Standby Rate Demand charges are based on a contract demand, which is fixed, and an as-used daily demand, which is the maximum demand for each time period, each day.
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