Fleet Electrification Rates
Our two optional Fleet Electrification Rates are designed to encourage and support customers who are preparing for a future with electric vehicles (EVs). Adding EVs to a fleet can reduce fossil fuel use and emissions, support meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and add to overall energy efficiency.
The Demand Transition Rate is available from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2032 and the Overnight Rate is an on-going rate available starting April 1, 2021.
Eligibility and how to switch
To be eligible for a Fleet Electrification Rate, you must:
- Be eligible for a General Service Rate as a business, government agency, or other organization.
- Own or lease and operate electric fleet vehicles or vessels that are supplied electricity by a separate meter from other loads on site.
- Have an annual maximum EV charging demand (or coincident charging load) of at least 150 kW before switching to a Fleet Electrification Rate.
Fleet Electrification Rates are not intended for third-party fleet or public charging.
To switch to a Fleet Electrification Rate, contact your Key Account Manager or email our EV Fleet Team at evfleet@bchydro.com.
Demand Transition Rate
The Demand Transition Rate is available for eligible customers who cannot charge their fleet overnight at the depot and require in-route charging during fleet operating hours. They receive service under rate schedules 1650, 1651, 1652, or 1653 of the Electric Tariff.
To reduce the impact of high demand charges due to short-duration, high-load charging during the EV fleet ramp up period, the Demand Transition Rate does not have a Demand Charge for the first six years from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2026. Over the subsequent six years, from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2032, as customers continue to grow their electric fleet, an escalating Demand Charge will be phased in.
On April 1, 2032, the Demand Transition Rate, Demand Charge and Energy Charge will be the same as those for the Large General Service Rate. Therefore, customers will be transitioned to the Large General Service Rate.
The graph below shows the escalation of the Demand Charge and Energy Charge under this rate. Please note that the Demand Charge and Energy Charge for April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2032 are for illustrative purposes only.
Basic ChargeA small, daily amount that partially recovers fixed customer-related costs, including customer service channels, metering, billing, payment processing, collections, and distribution system costs that are customer-related (electrical lines and transformers). |
29.81 cents per day. |
Demand ChargeDemand is the rate at which electricity is used and is typically measured in kilowatts (kW). Peak demand is the highest rate of electricity use during a period of time. Our smart meters measure demand using 15-minute intervals with three consecutive five-minute sub-intervals. The highest 15-minute demand average recorded in each billing period is used to calculate the demand charge on your bill. |
$0.00 per kW of billing demand until March 31, 2026. The Demand Charge comes into effect April 1, 2026. The amount charged per kW of billing demand will gradually transition through March 31, 2032 to become the same as that charged for the Large General Service Rate. |
Energy Charge |
10.24 cents per kWh. |
Minimum ChargeA charge that covers the cost of maintaining our equipment year round for customers with high electricity usage in the winter but low electricity usage in the summer. |
Equal to 50% of the highest Demand Charge during the previous November 1 to March 31 period. The Basic Charge, Energy Charge, and Demand Charge are replaced by the Minimum Charge if their sum is less than this amount. |
Power Factor SurchargeA measure of efficiency, and the ratio of usable power (kW) to reactive power (kVar) in a circuit. It varies between 0 and 1, and is normally given as a percentage (1 to 100%). We apply a power factor surcharge to business customers whose power factor drops below 90%. Learn more about power factor. |
Applicable if power factor is below 90%. |
Discounts |
1.5% on entire bill if electricity is metered at primary potential. $0.25 per kW if customer supplies transformation from a primary to a secondary potential. If eligible for both, the 1.5% discount is applied first. |
Overnight Rate
The Overnight Rate is available for eligible customers for overnight fleet vehicle charging. They receive service under rate schedules 1640, 1641, 1642 or 1643 of the Electric Tariff.
Intended to be available on an on-going basis, the Overnight Rate is primarily for customers with overnight in-depot charging needs for fleet vehicles and vessels, with minimal daytime charging requirements.
The rate has a flat rate Energy Charge. The Demand Charge only applies to maximum demand set between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily per billing period. There is no Demand Charge between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Basic ChargeA small, daily amount that partially recovers fixed customer-related costs, including customer service channels, metering, billing, payment processing, collections, and distribution system costs that are customer-related (electrical lines and transformers). |
29.81 cents per day. |
Demand ChargeDemand is the rate at which electricity is used and is typically measured in kilowatts (kW). Peak demand is the highest rate of electricity use during a period of time. Our smart meters measure demand using 15-minute intervals with three consecutive five-minute sub-intervals. The highest 15-minute demand average recorded in each billing period is used to calculate the demand charge on your bill. |
$13.75 per kW of the highest kW Demand between the hours 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily per billing period. |
Energy Charge |
8.33 cents per kWh. |
Minimum ChargeA charge that covers the cost of maintaining our equipment year round for customers with high electricity usage in the winter but low electricity usage in the summer. |
Equal to 50% of the highest Demand Charge during the previous November 1 to March 31 period. The Basic Charge, Energy Charge, and Demand Charge are replaced by the Minimum Charge if their sum is less than this amount. |
Power Factor SurchargeA measure of efficiency, and the ratio of usable power (kW) to reactive power (kVar) in a circuit. It varies between 0 and 1, and is normally given as a percentage (1 to 100%). We apply a power factor surcharge to business customers whose power factor drops below 90%. Learn more about power factor. |
Applicable if power factor is below 90%. |
Discounts |
1.5% on entire bill if electricity is metered at primary potential. $0.25 per kW if customer supplies transformation from a primary to a secondary potential. If eligible for both, the 1.5% discount is applied first. |