Rebates for EV power management devices
Manage your home's electrical load
When installing a Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger at home, you'll need to make sure that your electrical service can handle the extra load. If your current system doesn’t have enough capacity for the EV charger, it could overload a branch circuit, panel or electrical service.
In many cases, an EV power management device can help you avoid the need for an electrical service upgrade. These devices control the electrical load from an EV charger to prevent overloads. Learn more below about how these devices work and the available rebates.
Watch: Understanding EV power management devices
How these devices work
EV power management devices reduce the impact of EV charging on your home’s electrical capacity. They generally work in one of two ways:
- Branch circuit sharing. The device shares your EV charger's circuit with another appliance, such as a clothes dryer. It automatically switches off the flow of electricity to the EV charger when the dryer turns on.
- Feeder monitoring. The device monitors your whole home's current power usage. It automatically turns off power to the EV charger as needed, to maintain a maximum capacity level.
When are they needed
Often, you won't need an EV power management device to install a Level 2 EV charger. They're only needed if a service upgrade is required, which the device can help you avoid. In select cases, they could also help save electrical capacity for future upgrades, like adding a heat pump or hot tub.
A qualified electrician can help you determine if a device is necessary or the right option for you. They'll start with assessing the electrical capacity available for EV charging at your home. If you’re thinking about other future home upgrades that would add electrical load, tell your contractor about those too. Managing the EV load from the start could be a cost-effective way to preserve capacity for other additions.
To determine spare capacity, it's best if the electrician reviews the last 12 months of your electricity meter data.
- Log in to MyHydro to view and download the last 12 months of your consumption history at hourly intervals.
- Share it with your electrician so they can provide guidance on whether an EV power management device is needed.
Rebate offer
If you need to install an EV power management device, you may be eligible for a $200 rebate. We're offering this rebate to single-family home customers who are installing a Level 2 charger.
This device – and the rebate – make it easier for more customers to access efficient EV charging at home.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the EV power management device rebate, you'll need to:
- Be a BC Hydro customer residing in a detached home, row home, duplex or mobile home.
- Install an eligible EV power management device.
- Install an eligible Level 2 EV charger.
- Have an approved electrical permit (your electrician will manage this).
- Install the power management device and the charger on or after December 1, 2023. Rebates are not available for retroactive installs.
Visit the EV charger rebate program for single-family homes to review full eligibility criteria.
Eligible devices
You can buy an eligible EV power management device directly from the manufacturer's website or from other retailers such as Amazon. In some cases, you can buy the device directly from your electrical contractor.
See our list of rebate-eligible EV power management devices.
If you have an EV power management device you'd like us to assess, please email the make and model to alliance@bchydro.com.
How to apply
There's no separate application for this rebate. Once you've installed an eligible EV charger and power management device, submit your application for B.C.'s charger rebate program.
If approved, we'll automatically add the eligible value to your rebate payment.