The Vermont Public Power Supply has partnered with Bellawatt to build a “seamless tool that simplifies the electrification journey for customers,” VPPSA said on Feb. 21.
The web-based platform will enable VPPSA members to offer a special rate for customers who install and use electric vehicles/electric vehicle supply equipment at their homes or businesses and increase adoption of electric vehicles in its member utilities’ service territories.
VPPSA’s work with Bellawatt “intends to implement an innovative, market-informed, EV/EVSE tariff structure” that meets the requirements of Vermont’s Act 55, promotes customer choice, and establishes the technology infrastructure necessary to support future expansion.
A section of Act 55, signed by Vermont’s governor on June 3, 2021, requires Vermont's electric distribution utilities to offer plug-in EV rates for public and private EVSE no later than June 30, 2024.
“While there are many paths to meeting the legislative mandate, VPPSA and its member utilities have an opportunity to leverage the IT/OT convergence of grid modernization to deliver a dynamic, cutting-edge rate solution that demonstrates the capabilities of affordable, market-based energy services,” VPPSA said.
Currently under review by the Vermont Public Utility Commission, VPPSA’s petition for approval of a proposed EV/EVSE tariff rider program was filed in October 2023.
VPPSA’s membership includes 11 consumer-owned municipals located within the state of Vermont. Each municipality owns and operates an electric utility. All combined, they serve a total of 50 communities and over 30,000 customers.
