Electric vehicles (EV) continue to gain momentum and many Kankakee Valley REMC member-consumers see the benefit of refueling at the outlet instead of the gas pump. Kankakee Valley REMC offers a couple of recommendations for those who are considering switching to an EV.

Typically, the dealership or the car manufacturer will recommend a charging system for you to install at your home. Kankakee Valley REMC does not offer electric vehicle chargers or installation services. However, the cooperative does have a rate structure — the time of use (TOU) rate — to help you save money by shifting electric use, like charging, to off peak hours. 

Through this rate structure, instead of energy being a flat rate, its cost changes based on the time of day. During the on-peak hours of 4-7 p.m. CST, the cost of energy on the TOU rate is 0.365 cents per kilowatt-hour. Outside of those hours, the cost is only 0.0598 cents per kWh. So, if you charge your electric vehicle at 9 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. you will save money on your electric bill. This rate is available to all Kankakee Valley REMC member-consumers. 

If you purchase an EV, let Kankakee Valley REMC know before your electrician installs the charger. The service to your home is sized to meet your home’s demands as they existed when service was connected. Adding the EV charger could overload the wires and transformers powering your home. Overloaded services can fail and leave you in the dark with an uncharged EV.