Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R), in partnership with San Francisco-based software company WeaveGrid, has launched New York’s first managed electric vehicle (EV) charging program. The initiative, called FlexCharge Rewards Program, is designed to help EV owners charge their vehicles when electricity is least expensive and reduce stress on the power grid during peak demand.
The program uses WeaveGrid’s Distribution-Integrated Smart Charging Orchestration (DISCO) software to coordinate charging schedules for customers. These schedules are determined by factors such as a customer’s location within the grid, energy costs, current grid conditions, and local EV charging patterns. Customers can set their desired battery level and ready-by time using WeaveGrid’s web portal. They also have the option to override the smart schedule if needed.
FlexCharge was made possible through a $1 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Vehicle Grid Integration Program. This funding supports efforts to integrate EVs into the electric grid more efficiently.
“For years, O&R has been at the forefront of New York’s electric vehicle goals, exceeding expectations of customer enrollment in company programs and connecting residential and commercial customers with the charging infrastructure they need,” said Michele O’Connell, O&R president and CEO. “Thanks to our partnership with WeaveGrid, O&R’s first of its kind FlexCharge Rewards Program now lets the company work with customers on tailored charging schedules that allows them to save money while also placing less stress on the electric grid.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Orange & Rockland to launch the innovative FlexCharge Rewards program,” said Apoorv Bhargava, CEO of WeaveGrid. “FlexCharge Rewards represents a significant step forward in EV-grid integration, using our DISCO software to automatically optimize when customers charge their vehicles based on real-time grid conditions and energy costs. This collaboration demonstrates how utilities and technology companies can work together to make driving an EV more affordable for customers while supporting a clean and reliable grid. Programs like this are essential as we accelerate toward a clean transportation future.”
O&R is currently reaching out to residential EV owners in its service area for enrollment in FlexCharge. Participants receive incentives including a $50 gift card upon joining, an additional $25 after one year in the program, automated scheduling for lower-cost charging times, access to personalized dashboards with live tips, weekly cost tracking tools, and emailed insights about their home charging.
Eligible participants include those who own qualified Tesla vehicles or use ChargePoint, Emporia, or Wallbox home chargers within O&R’s territory. The program is risk-free; customers may opt out at any time.
A pilot version of FlexCharge is also being offered to commercial customers who have at least two chargers at their sites within O&R’s service area. Businesses using ChargePoint chargers or Tesla vehicles for fleet or employee use can participate and will receive $200 per qualified port or vehicle enrolled.
Orange and Rockland Utilities serves approximately 300,000 electric customers in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey as well as 140,000 natural gas customers in New York.
WeaveGrid develops machine learning-based solutions that help utilities manage EV-grid integration challenges while aiming for rapid decarbonization by connecting transportation electrification efforts directly with energy systems.
