Incentives for EV charging

Numerous studies have concluded that an electric car's operation costs far less than a gas car's. For one thing, charging an electric vehicle at home already costs much less per mile than running one on gasoline. 

The EPA's fuel economy website provides estimates for how much less drivers will spend in five years "fueling" an EV versus a gasoline-powered vehicle. (You can find studies denying this is true, but they always include costs beyond fuel, such as the purchase price, and they often assume significant fast charging outside the home.)

Added incentives for home charging

New York electric vehicle owners who charge at home earn, on average, $400 a year in bonuses simply by charging during off-peak owners. To get these benefits, drivers need to register with Con-Ed.

This includes a $25 bonus per vehicle or charger after three months of charging, and the three months don't even have to be consecutive. 

Beyond that, EV owners can receive incentives based on when they charge. Con-Ed will provide a 10-cent per kilowatt-hour incentive for charging during "off-peak" weekdays outside the 2:00 to 6:00 pm window. 

Additional bonuses are available during the power-hungry air conditioning season. From June 1 to September 30, EV owners can get $35 for each month they successfully avoid charging during those hours. There's an additional $35, $140 total, for owners who avoid peak-hour charging for all three summer months. 

Many electric vehicles allow you to plug in your car anytime but hold off on charging until a specified hour. That feature will make taking advantage of programs like these much more manageable.