Over 10 years, a three-phase grant cycle totaling $217,000 from the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE) helped WEC fundamentally change its members’ access to electric vehicles by investing in charging infrastructure, and building out an early system for flexible load management.
VLITE is a public-benefit nonprofit with a significant ownership stake in VELCO (Vermont Electric Power Company), Vermont’s transmission-only electric utility. It uses its VELCO dividend income of about $1 million per year to fund projects and initiatives that advance Vermont’s energy policies. VLITE has a special focus on projects that help low-income Vermonters.
WEC received grants in part because its members experience a higher energy burden—the percentage of household income spent on total energy costs—than the state average (13% vs. 11% statewide). One reason for this is there are long, hilly travel distances and limited access to public transportation in WEC’s service area, so members rely more, and pay more, for personal transportation.
Phase 1: Expanding EV Charging Access
Between 2015 and 2019, VLITE funded WEC’s installation of some of the first public EV chargers in central Vermont, located at two public schools, two park-and-ride facilities, and a local business.
These chargers have supported 6,500 charging sessions to date, giving WEC members and regional visitors access to Level 2 charging. Data gathered through this early work also shaped the state’s understanding of EV charger siting and deployment, paving the way for future public-charging investments.
Phase 2: Flexible Load Management Pilot
The second phase, between 2019 and 2021, piloted PowerShift, WEC’s first Flexible Load Management initiative in many years. Partnering with Efficiency Vermont and Packetized Energy, WEC invited members to enroll their electric water heaters in a program that shifted power use away from expensive peak periods.
The project allowed WEC to test and become familiar with new technology and explored how home appliances can help reduce peak demand. Critically, this pilot became the foundation for WEC’s future load-management offerings, including a battery program planned for 2026.
Phase 3: PowerShift EV Charging Program
This final phase launched in 2021. Developed from lessons learned in the first two phases, the expanded PowerShift EV program has delivered the most direct member benefits. PowerShift provides participating EV drivers with a free Level 2 charger, funded by VLITE, in exchange for programming their EVs to charge on off-peak schedules. Members also receive a $500 Efficiency Vermont rebate toward installation.
To date, 127 chargers have been delivered to WEC members through this program. The incentives reduce the upfront cost and complexity of EV ownership for members. Managed charging reduces WEC’s transmission and capacity costs, which reduces rate increases for the entire membership.
EV charging significantly increases electric load. Unrelated to the VLITE grant, but to remove remaining barriers toward PowerShift uptake, WEC no longer charges members for transformer upgrades spurred by beneficial electrification technologies, such as the EV chargers enrolled in PowerShift.
Based on preliminary results, PowerShift has saved the Co-op and its members more than $10,000 over the last year by way of avoided peak costs. WEC anticipates these savings will more than double as the program matures—increasing the impact of VLITE’s grant.
WEC plans to continue offering chargers to members and will expand the program to additional EV models and brands in 2026.