THE BMW ActiveE FORUM

[ydoc]

I applied for and received a change of electric rate with my local utility in Northern California, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). PG&E offers a TOU rate, rate schedule E-9A, for users of zero emission vehicles.

I just received my first billing on the TOU rate for the month of April. The TOU rate provides for lower rates at off-peak times and higher rates for partial-peak and peak times, rather than the conventional rate that is the same rate per kWh all day long, but increases in tiers as use increases above base usage allocations over the billing cycle.

Specifically, the off-peak rate starts at only 4.68 cents per kWh, and increases in tiers as use increases to a maximum of 20.011 cents per kWh

The partial peak rate starts at 9.864 cents per kWh and rises to a maximum of 34.101 cents per kWh.

Peak rates (applicable for Summer -- May through October Mon-Fri -- 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.) are high -- starting at 30.178 cents per kWh rising to 54.415 cents per kWh.

So, here are the results:

In March 2012 (my first full month with the ActiveE and entirely on the old E-1 rate), my bill was $204.61 for 899 kWh = 22.8 cents/kWh

In April 2012 on the new TOU rate, my bill was $129.47 for 881 kWh = 14.7 cents (average) per kWh. Of this use, 358 kWh were billed at partial-peak rates averaging 20.3 cents/kWh; and 523 kWh billed at off-peak rates averaging 10.9 cents/kWh.

For comparison, my bill for April 2011 on the old rate was $126.48 for 728 kWh = 17.4 cents (average) per kWh

So basically, my ActiveE, which is being charged only during off-peak times is costing an average of 10.9 cents/kWh or only about 3.4 cents per mile (assuming a conservative 3.2 mi/kWh average consumption.) Pretty darn good, I think!

[eec007]

Thanks for sharing. I called PGE to change to E9A, but it has yet to change. Do you remember how long it took for them to change yours? I'd really like to know what my costs are with E9A before I make a decision on solar!

[rolson1011]

mine has been sitting on the table for almost 2 months now.

[ydoc]

Originally Posted by eec007

Thanks for sharing. I called PGE to change to E9A, but it has yet to change. Do you remember how long it took for them to change yours? I'd really like to know what my costs are with E9A before I make a decision on solar!

I called PG&E on about March 5th or 6th and received an acknowledgement letter from them of my application for the rate change by email on March 7th. My billing cycle was going to end on March 29th, so they said that the new rate would apply starting with the next billing cycle. A review of their online portal did not indicate that my rate had changed until a day or so before the end of the next billing cycle which ended on 4/30/12. I received the April bill on May 2 and the new rate schedule applied retroactively to the begining of the April billing cycle which started on 3/30/12.

One caution -- knowing that the TOU rate would apply retroactively to the beginning of the first billing cycle that started after I applied, I only charged after midnight from that point forward. I am, of course, continuing that practice going forward.

[ydoc]

Originally Posted by rolson1011

mine has been sitting on the table for almost 2 months now.

rolson1011,

Did PG&E assure you that the rate change would be retroactive to the first billing cycle that started after you applied?

[eec007]

I've been waiting for just over a month now. They did not mention that it would be retroactive, but did mention that I can only change rates once every twelve months. They also said that it might take 2 - 3 billing cycles, but it sounds like you got immediate response and a reassuring letter of acknowledgement. Do you know who you spoke to?

[KNOW GAS]

For folks in the Long Beach and other areas served by Edision in Southern California, I've been on a separate TOU meter for 3 years now. Because it's separate and billed separately, I pay a flat rate of .12 kwh (this includes all state and city taxes) for all I can use from 9pm - Noon (15 hour window). The meter is tied directly to my two Level 2 chargers.

[ydoc]

Originally Posted by KNOW GAS

For folks in the Long Beach and other areas served by Edision in Southern California, I've been on a separate TOU meter for 3 years now. Because it's separate and billed separately, I pay a flat rate of .12 kwh (this includes all state and city taxes) for all I can use from 9pm - Noon (15 hour window). The meter is tied directly to my two Level 2 chargers.

KNOW GAS,

The cost for a second meter in Northern California (PG&E country) was going to run at least $2,500, making the break even versus a single smart meter for both home and EVSE on a TOU rate a pretty long payback time -- something like 5 years. Out of curiosity, what was your upfront cost to install the second meter?

[rolson1011]

Originally Posted by ydoc

rolson1011,

Did PG&E assure you that the rate change would be retroactive to the first billing cycle that started after you applied?

I figured as much so I've been charging the car at midnight regardless

[KNOW GAS]

Originally Posted by ydoc

KNOW GAS,

The cost for a second meter in Northern California (PG&E country) was going to run at least $2,500, making the break even versus a single smart meter for both home and EVSE on a TOU rate a pretty long payback time -- something like 5 years. Out of curiosity, what was your upfront cost to install the second meter?

I was in a fortunate situation in that my second meter was installed initially almost 3 years ago at the beginning of the MINI E program and Edison did it for free. I believe I may have been one of the first people in Long Beach to have the second meter installed at the time. My total cost was $500.00 for the prep work required for Edison to come out and hook up the meter. Also, at that time they didn't require a second panel like they do now. Totally understand your point about the current upfront costs not making it a wise move.