The Crown corporation recently launched a survey in which it is exploring the possibility of offering a rewards program for electric vehicle owners.
Under such a program, EV owners could receive $50 per year as a reward for charging their vehicle between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Avoiding Grid Overload
Hydro-Québec’s goal is to reduce demand on its power grid between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., especially during the winter months. These periods correspond to the times of day when people are most likely to use energy-consuming appliances such as stoves, washing machines and dryers.
Fortunately, this is a very realistic objective since most newer charging stations can be programmed to operate during specific hours, helping optimize the use of Hydro-Québec’s power grid. This is precisely the type of behaviour the Crown corporation hopes to encourage with a rewards program.
$50…
Let’s be honest, $50 isn’t going to make much of a difference in an electric vehicle owner’s budget. In fact, I tend to believe that the idea here is more about getting people talking. Offering a $500 incentive would certainly be more appealing, but it probably would have generated a lot less discussion. Keep in mind that this is not a new Hydro-Québec program, but rather a survey designed to measure public interest in such a rewards program.
Ultimately, I think this is a brilliant marketing move on Hydro-Québec’s part. Now, on a more serious note, it is clear that a reasonable incentive could motivate people to schedule their EV charging during hours when demand on the grid is lower. It remains to be seen whether the Crown corporation will actually move forward with such a program.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
