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Rebates for EV power management devices

An electrician installing EV charger

Manage your home's electrical load

Installing a Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger means your home will have to accommodate the additional electrical load. Before installing, you'll need to ensure that the electrical service can accommodate this new electrical load. In some cases, your home may not have the electrical capacity for this. In these cases, the electricity to power the EV charger might overload a branch, circuit, panel or electrical service.

In many of these cases, an EV power management device can help you avoid an electrical service upgrade. These devices manage the electrical load from an EV charger to avoid overloading your electrical service. Learn more below about how these devices work and available rebates. 

How these devices work

EV power management devices generally work in one of two ways:

  • Branch circuit sharing. This device shares a circuit with another device, such as a clothes dryer. It automatically switches off the flow of electricity to the EV charger when the dryer turns on.
  • Feeder monitoring. This 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 are only necessary if you would need a service upgrade that can be avoided with a device.

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.

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.

View the list [PDF, 186 KB]

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.