Welcome to Alectra SmartCharge

Ready to take your EV charging to the next level? As part of our exclusive SmartCharge pilot, 50 participants will get early access to a smarter, more convenient way to charge at home—while helping build a cleaner, more efficient energy grid.

As a SmartCharge participant, you’ll receive a discounted Level 2 EV charger, including professional installation managed by Alectra. It’s a simple way to save money, stay charged, and support a smarter energy future.

About the Pilot

Alectra is excited to introduce the SmartCharge pilot. If you have a battery electric vehicle, are interested in upgrading to a level 2 charger, and want to help develop the next generation of customer incentive programs – SmartCharge could be for you!

Designed to help you make informed decisions about charging your EV, this initiative will offer a managed installation, and an integrated app to manage your EV charging. SmartCharge will also simplify home EV charger installation—making it easier, more affordable, and more accessible. The initial recruitment phase is closed. All new applications will be waitlisted.

This project is made possible through financial support provided by the Ontario Energy Board under the Innovation Sandbox Challenge. The OEB’s funding supports Alectra in building upon its existing customer engagement platform to test the ability of residential customers with Level 2 electric vehicle chargers to participate in demand response events.

Overview: How does it work?

May – June 2025
Participant Selection

Eligible customers shortlisted

Professional site assessment
July 2025
Participant Confirmation

50 participants confirmed

Sign participant agreement

Onboarding webinar
Aug – Oct 2025
Onboarding and Setup Process

Obtain EV charger

Charger installed at your home

Mobile app onboarding
Nov 2025– Oct 2026
Live Pilot and DR Events

Participation in pilot activities

Demand response events

Feedback gathering
Nov - Dec 2026
Pilot Completion and Feedback

Post pilot feedback

Equipment and document handover

More customers are purchasing EVs every year, with over 210,000 EVs in Ontario as of March 2025. Approximately one-third of Ontario’s EVs (over 70,000) are registered within Alectra’s service territory. Since these vehicles mainly charge within our territory, we want to ensure that we are providing customers with the tools and information needed, and understand their charging requirements, so that we’re able to continue providing reliable, cost-effective service.

Key goals of the project are to:

- Empower customers with clear and accessible information to make informed EV charging decisions through a dedicated website.
- Test out and evaluate managed charging strategies and energy management tools to optimize energy consumption and grid stability.
- Collect customer insights to guide future EV infrastructure development and customer engagement.

Attractive Pricing: Eligible participants will receive a new Level 2 EV charger (including installation services) at a reduced cost, purchased through Alectra. These chargers are Wi-Fi and cellular data-enabled, providing visibility, control and valuable insights into your charging habits. Available at an affordable price with $0 down and low monthly fees ($25/month for 32A unit, $30/month for a 40A unit and $40/month for an 80A unit), you can add a Level 2 charger to your house with ease and convenience.
Review specifications sheet

Installation: Eligible participants will receive Alectra managed professional installation by a licensed electrical contractor, ensuring a seamless setup at home. (Service upgrades/panel upgrades are not included.)

Worry-Free Charging: We handle any technical issues with your charger throughout the life of the pilot, so you can charge worry-free.

Convenience & Data Insights: Your charging schedule and related usage is managed through an app available for Android and iOS devices. Through the app you can gain insights that help you understand the best time to charge to see potential savings.

Be at the Forefront of EV Adoption: Join the SmartCharge Pilot and help shape the future of EV programs. Your participation supports a sustainable, greener future while contributing to innovative utility solutions for tomorrow.

To qualify for the Alectra SmartCharge pilot, you must meet the following criteria:

Alectra Customer & Residency

- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must have an Alectra Utilities account with a good payment history.
- Must reside in a single-family home (detached, attached, duplex, row house, or townhome) with permission from the owner to install an EV charger.
- Have no plans to move before December 2026.

EV Ownership & Charging Requirements

- Must own or lease a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that will be charged at home at least twice per week for more than 3 hours using the residential charger provided through the pilot. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are excluded.
- Customers expecting to receive their EV before July 1, 2025, are eligible to apply.

Charger & Electrical Requirements

- Must not have an existing Level 2 charger installed.
- Must have sufficient capacity to install at least a 40-amp breaker on your home’s electrical panel and authorize Alectra’s electrical contractor to obtain necessary permits to perform the EV charger installation.
- Must be willing to take on any electrical upgrades (if required) for the installation.

Program Participation & Technology

- Must agree to participate in load management programs and surveys for 18 months.
- Must have a smartphone (Android/iOS) capable of downloading and using mobile apps to view and manage the EV charger. Will need to make the home Wi-Fi available for the charger to communicate with the mobile app.
- Must have a valid credit card for monthly payments.

Full terms and conditions will be provided in a participation agreement, which must be signed before enrollment in the program.

Here's how you can become a part of SmartCharge:

1. Express Your Interest: Click the "I'm Interested" button and complete our enrollment form.
2. Candidate Shortlisting: Alectra will review all applications and shortlist participants for the SmartCharge pilot. We may contact eligible customers to provide additional details (e.g., pictures of the electrical panel).
3. Site Assessment (if needed): We will schedule a brief site assessment by a licensed electrical contractor to assess if your home is suitable for the charger installation.
4. Participant Notification: Following the site assessment (if required), we will notify the 50 selected participants.
5. Participation Agreement & Charger Selection:

a. Selected participants will sign a participation agreement.
b. Participants will receive a link to the smart charger marketplace to purchase a discounted pilot-compatible Level 2 EV charger (includes installation).
c. Schedule installation of the charger with Alectra’s contractor, who will manage the complete installation process.

6. Webinar & Onboarding:

You'll be invited to an informative webinar and receive comprehensive onboarding information. This will equip you with the knowledge to effectively use your smart EV charger and participate actively in the pilot.

7. Program Activation:

The exciting part begins! You’ll start using your new smart charger and share your experience along the way. Your feedback will help us improve the program and make smart charging even better.

Here’s what you can expect during the pilot:

i. Up to 4 surveys or interviews (10-15 minutes each)
ii. Load management events, when the power on your charger may be reduced by as much as 75%. Events will happen no more than once a week for more than 4 hours, and you will be given advance notice.

8. Program Completion:

At the conclusion of the pilot, we will guide you through an offboarding process, marking the successful completion of the project.

Minimum Term: Participants must commit to participating for the full duration of the pilot for 18 months or up to December 31, 2026.

Key Terms to Know in the Alectra SmartCharge Pilot

Rate Plan: The pricing structure for your electricity. Charging during cheaper, off-peak hours helps you to lower your costs. Alectra offers three rate plans: Tiered, Time-of-Use, and Ultra-Low Overnight.

Smart EV Charger: A communications (cellular, Wi-Fi) connected charger that lets you control and schedule charging through an app to save money and energy.

Demand Response (DR): A program communication where your EV charging slows down during periods of high demand to help the grid.

Managed Charging: A system that automatically adjusts when and how fast your EV charges to save money, reduce grid stress, and use more clean energy. Managed charging helps reduce the impact of EV charging on utilities’ peak demand, meaning there is less need for additional infrastructure, which translates to lower costs and greater affordability for customers.

Unmanaged Charging: When EVs are plugged in, there is no management of electricity usage, and the vehicle starts charging immediately at full capacity.