The Smart Charging Program is part of Utilities ongoing efforts to create innovative programs that help customers manage their energy usage, lower our community’s peak demand, and reduce our community’s carbon emissions.
Eligible residential customers owning an electric vehicle (EV) and a home charger can now enroll in the program that automatically initiates your vehicle charging during hours when our primary energy resource is wind power (starting at 1 a.m.).
While participants will not be able to charge during the hours of 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., the program does permit override if circumstance requires and will not allow your vehicle’s battery charge level to fall below 20% capacity.
Be part of the solution. And run like the wind!
Help conserve energy during our most critical times.
For your efforts, you’ll be rewarded with $10 per month, payable twice a year. For the average driver, that equals to 40% of the cost of charging your EV’s battery.
But just as rewarding will be the knowledge that you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint when your vehicle is sailing down the road charged with … wind power.
How the Smart Charging Program Works
1. Eligibility
Open to all Fort Collins Light and Power residential customers owning an electric vehicle (EV or PHEV) with either a Level 1 (standard 120-volt wall plug) or Level 2 (installed 208-240 volts) home charger.
2. Application
Customers can apply at this link or by calling 855-350-1464 to determine eligibility and complete an application.
3. Registration
Qualified applicants will be directed to register their EV or PHEV with our partners Itron and Rolling Energy Resources (RER), granting permission to access the vehicle’s charging data (e.g., battery charge level, time and length of charge, etc.) via their car manufacturer’s app.
4. Operation
Every day (holidays and weekends included), from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., the program will delay or interrupt charging the car’s battery.
During these hours, participants will be unable to charge the vehicle, unless they use the app to override the delayed charging session.
The program will automatically start or resume your charging session at 1 a.m.
5. Rewards
Program participants will receive a reward of $10/month (payable twice a year). For the average driver, that equals to 40% of the cost of charging the battery—i.e., 40% of your fuel costs are free!
But just as rewarding will be the knowledge that you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint when your vehicle is sailing down the road charged with … wind power.
6. Data
All vehicle and charging data collected will remain anonymous and strictly confidential. Only Fort Collins Utilities and its program partners will have access and will restrict use exclusively for program analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smart Charging Program?
EV ownership is rapidly increasing. The program is designed to protect the grid and reduce our carbon footprint by routinely shifting EV charge times to off-peak and lower demand hours, particularly when wind is our primary carbon-free energy resource.
Who is eligible to participate?
To be eligible to participate, applicants must be Fort Collins Light and Power residential customers and must own one of the qualifying EVs listed below:
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| BMW | i3 | 2017+ |
| i4 | 2021+ | |
| i7 | 2023+ | |
| iX | 2021+ | |
| Jaguar | I-Pace | 2019+ |
| Land Rover | Range Rover PHEV P400e | 2019+ |
| Range Rover Sport PHEV P400e | 2019+ | |
| Lexus | RX 450h PHEV | 2023+ |
| RZ | 2023+ | |
| Mini | SE Hardtop | 2020+ |
| Tesla | Model 3 | 2017+ |
| Model S | 2012+ | |
| Model X | 2016+ | |
| Model Y | 2020+ | |
| Toyota | Rav4 Prime | 2021+ |
| Volkswagen | e-Golf | 2019-2020 |
What information will I need to provide to register and give access to my car’s telematics?
Applicants will simply need to log in to their car manufacturer’s app and agree to authorize the EV’s participation in the program.
After application and registration, how will I be notified that I am a participant?
Registered applicants will receive email confirmation.
When can I charge my car?
Feel free to plug in any time. The program delays or interrupts charging from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. every day (weekends and holidays included), but will then automatically start or resume your charging at 1 a.m. So, come home, plug in, and forget it. The program does the rest.
Can I override the program’s delay or interruption?
Yes. If circumstance requires, participants may override the program for that session using the program app.
What happens if there is no wind and I need a full charge?
Our wind resources are located north of Fort Collins. In the very rare event of having no wind in Wyoming, your EV battery will be charged with other energy resources, giving priority to hydro and then by carbon-based electricity, if necessary. Your vehicle will not be stranded.
What will happen if my vehicle is nearly empty during non-charging hours?
If your car’s battery is below 20%, your EV will automatically override any delayed charging session.
When will I receive payment for my participation?
Participants will receive $10 reward each month, payable every 6 months.
How does my participation in the program benefit Fort Collins?
By shifting your charge time to hours when higher wind-sourced energy is available, you reduce strain on the grid and use lower carbon fuel. After 1 a.m., you’ll be charging with carbon-free wind energy. Your vehicle will then run with the wind, creating a cleaner environment for us all.