Photo: SWTCH Energy
SWTCH Energy is expanding into the residential market with a new home charging program that offers single-family homeowners a free Level 2 charger and cash back for every kilowatt-hour used to charge an electric vehicle.
The offer may influence how customers evaluate the cost of EV ownership. A free home charger and small annual cash return could help offset concerns around upfront expenses, creating a new conversation point for dealers supporting first-time EV buyers.
“By building the infrastructure and business model to turn home charging into carbon credits, we’re giving homeowners a way to earn money while helping accelerate EV adoption nationwide,” said Carter Li, the company’s CEO, in a statement.
Participants receive a charger at no cost and earn three cents per kWh when charging at home — roughly $100 to $150 per year for an average driver, depending on usage. Some utility programs, including those offered by BC Hydro and Quebec’s Roulez Vert, may further reduce installation costs through licensed electricians.
Homeowners register online, install the charger, and connect it through SWTCH’s app to begin tracking charging activity. Earnings are paid out once an account reaches $100. The program is available nationwide to single-family homeowners who own or plan to purchase an EV and does not include monthly or annual fees.
The initiative, developed with Plug’n Drive, builds on Canada’s Clean Fuels Regulation Carbon Credit program, which allows charging activity to generate credits that can be monetized. It also marks a shift for SWTCH, which has primarily operated in the multifamily and commercial segments.
