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Electric vehicle owners in Ava’s service area can now earn rewards for charging their cars with clean energy, thanks to a new program launched by Ava Community Energy. The Ava SmartHome Charging initiative, created in partnership with Optiwatt, not only helps the environment but also offers drivers significant savings on their energy bills.
Key Highlights
- Ava Community Energy launches Ava SmartHome Charging program
- Partnership with Optiwatt for managed charging technology
- Rewards for EV and PHEV drivers who charge with clean energy
- Up to $100 in incentives in the first year
- Potential average savings of $140 per year on energy bills
- Program optimizes charging to lower-cost, renewable energy times
- Goal to enroll at least 5,000 vehicles by end of 2025
The Ava SmartHome Charging program is straightforward to use. Drivers simply need to download the Optiwatt app or sign up via their website, connect their EV or PHEV, and complete a quick verification process. Once enrolled, participants receive a $75 reward. Additionally, they can earn up to $25 annually, paid monthly, for remaining in the program. The real benefit comes from the optimized charging schedule. Optiwatt’s technology ensures vehicles charge during periods when electricity is cheaper and sourced from renewable energy, leading to potential savings of around $140 per year on energy bills.
Howard Chang, CEO of Ava Community Energy, stated, “Ava is on a mission to provide 100% clean energy to our customers by 2030, and our new SmartHome Charging program will allow customers to charge their vehicles on more renewable energy while simultaneously saving money. By partnering with Optiwatt, we can now offer our customers seamless charging solutions that benefit both drivers and the community.”
Casey Donahue, founder of Optiwatt, added, “Launching a program of this scale has the potential to make a significant impact. By leveraging our advanced charging algorithm and the growing number of EVs, we can shift substantial energy demand to cleaner, more affordable times. This effort will benefit every Ava customer, helping to create a more sustainable and cost-effective energy future.”
The Ava SmartHome Charging program is the first phase of Ava’s comprehensive Virtual Power Plant (VPP) strategy, enabled by Lunar Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS), Gridshare. This strategy aims to integrate various distributed energy resources to enhance grid reliability and efficiency.
Ava Community Energy serves over 2 million residents and commercial customers in Alameda County and several California cities as a not-for-profit public power provider. Focused on clean energy options, Ava has saved customers more than $150 million and contracted for over one gigawatt of renewable energy projects.
Optiwatt, a leader in telematics-based home energy analytics in North America, partners with utilities to help homeowners reduce energy costs and promote renewable energy usage.
Ava encourages eligible customers to join this program to save money and support clean energy. With a goal of enrolling at least 5,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, the initiative is poised to significantly impact the community’s energy usage and environmental footprint.
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