Markdown Content - The Changing Rural Landscape: Cooperatives, EVs, & Managed Charging

---
# The Changing Rural Landscape: Cooperatives, EVs, & Managed Charging

**URL:** https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/the-changing-rural-landscape-cooperatives-evs-managed-charging/
Date: 2023-06-16
Author: Virtual Peaker Team
Post Type: post
Summary: Rural electric co-ops are embracing the growing electric vehicle (EV) market trends and increased infrastructural support, driven equally by prosumer […]
Categories: EVs
Featured Image: https://virtual-peaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/rendered.png
---

Rural electric co-ops are embracing the [growing electric vehicle (EV) market trends](https://www.iea.org/news/demand-for-electric-cars-is-booming-with-sales-expected-to-leap-35-this-year-after-a-record-breaking-2022) and increased infrastructural support, driven equally by prosumer interest and legislation. For example, the [Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)](https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/the-inflation-reduction-act-distributed-energy-resources-energy-efficiency/) promises to expand EV charging infrastructure outside of cities, helping lower [range anxiet](https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/range-wars-ev-infrastructure-is-coming/)y. Coupled with an executive decree to [increase EV manufacturing to account for 50% of all vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030](https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/09/14/fact-sheet-president-bidens-economic-plan-drives-americas-electric-vehicle-manufacturing-boom/), and soon EVs will travel far beyond urban centers. As EV markets continue to evolve, opportunities for [EV managed charging programs](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/ev-charging/) have increased exponentially, allowing cooperatives to reduce high energy costs, enhance energy security, and increase member satisfaction. Is your cooperative ready?

## What is Managed Charging?

As the name suggests, [managed charging](https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/what-is-managed-charging/) is a demand flexibility initiative that manages when a vehicle draws from the grid. As such, managed charging plays into several demand flexibility strategies including [demand response programs](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/demand-response/) or time of use (TOU) rate structures. Managed charging can appear in several ways, as a conservation tool like demand response to minimize usage during peak periods of demand, or to shift usage to off-peak hours. Both produce a similar outcome, which is to decrease costly energy purchases during peak demand while increasing grid resiliency.

With more EVs on the road, managed charging continues to be a great demand flexibility tool to avoid the high costs associated with peak demand energy. Through EVSE charging equipment and EV telematics, utility program managers can forecast their potential demand events. Because [customer charging patterns can vary dramatically by person](https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/ev-charging/5-charts-that-shed-new-light-on-how-people-charge-evs-at-home), a combined data analytics approach is ideal to help encourage program participation at the times that are optimal for the most potential customers. Let’s look at a few examples.

### The Future of EVs

Already, the [number of EV charging stations has nearly doubled since 2020](https://www.bts.gov/data-spotlight/number-alternative-fueling-stations-nearly-doubles-2020-ev-charging-leads-way), further illustrating the expansion of electric vehicles beyond city centers. In fact, this charging infrastructure is currently under [federal scrutiny](https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1139711_feds-tackle-ev-charger-reliability-in-us-infrastructure-buildout) to ensure reliability for motorists. Research is underway for a variety of improvements to EV technologies, from improvements to [battery life](https://www.eenews.net/articles/inside-a-lab-testing-the-future-of-ev-batteries/), [battery recycling](https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/recycling-renewables/the-biggest-ev-battery-recycling-plant-in-the-us-is-open-for-business), and more. These improvements and the promise of continued enhancements are [driving the electric vehicle market to new heights](https://insideclimatenews.org/news/08062023/inside-clean-energy-electric-vehicle-market-features/), and customers are interested.

On top of the technological advancements that will spur EV adoption, embracing electric vehicles isn’t just a logistical requirement, but an existential necessity. A recent report indicates that shifting to electric vehicles will [decrease premature deaths caused by the environmental pollution created by ICE vehicles](https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/06/health/electric-vehicles-save-nearly-90-000-lives/index.html).

## Cooperatives & Managed Charging in Action

Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) now offers a $250 credit to members who buy a Level II EV charger, which replenishes energy about four times faster than a standard 120-volt outlet. The Johnson, Vt.-based co-op asks members not to charge their cars between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to avoid peak demand. The initiative is part of VEC’s Energy Transformation Program to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and the production of greenhouse gasses.

We’re excited to offer this new strategy to help members transition to electric vehicles in a way that benefits all co-op members. Off-peak electric use is less expensive and cleaner, so if we can encourage off-peak charging, the whole co-op can save money and cut down on emissions.
- Lisa Morris, Energy Services Planner, VEC

“We’re excited to offer this new strategy to help members transition to electric vehicles in a way that benefits all co-op members,” said Lisa Morris, the energy services planner at VEC. “Off-peak electric use is less expensive and cleaner, so if we can encourage off-peak charging, the whole co-op can save money and cut down on emissions.”

Just down the road from VEC, the [Washington Electric Co-op offers discounts](https://www.washingtonelectric.coop/energy-coach-home/) on the purchase of electric vehicles, electric lawnmowers, and [electric bikes](https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/how-bicycles-help-decarbonization-efforts/). Both co-ops are standing ready on the front lines of the growing global EV charging infrastructure market, which according to a recent report was worth $6.45 billion in 2018. The already significant market is expected to reach $95.98 billion—almost 15 times its current value—by 2027.

These examples are just the start. In 2022, the [NRECA encouraged electric cooperatives around the U.S. to collaborate with state Departments of Transportation](https://www.cooperative.com/news/pages/nreca-urges-interested-co-ops-to-partner-with-state-dots-on-ev-charging-networks.aspx) to help develop a national network of EV charging stations. The [Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill](https://www.electric.coop/bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-includes-billions-for-broadband-evs-energy-rd) provides even more opportunities for electric cooperatives to rise to the challenge of the increased demand incurred by an increasingly electrified fleet by expanding national broadband. In doing so, rural areas will have the interconnectivity necessary to run any managed charging or V2G reciprocal charging program.

## Cooperatives & Managed Charging Conclusion

As noted, WEC and VEC are not alone: the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) frequently profiles EV programs offered by co-ops across the country – from North Carolina to Minnesota to Arkansas. Co-ops are actively leading the way in laying the groundwork for an electric vehicle future. Through managed charging initiatives, utility program managers can decrease energy consumption during peak demand, saving money and strengthening energy security.

*Article originally published on [October 9, 2019](https://virtual-peaker.com/blog/cooperatives-evs-managed-charging/), with updates on June 16, 2023.*

---

## Categories

- EVs

---

## Navigation

- [Platform](https://virtual-peaker.com/platform/)
- [Grid-Edge DERMS](https://virtual-peaker.com/platform/derms-suite/)
- [Customer Engagement](https://virtual-peaker.com/platform/customer-engagement-suite/)
- [Forecasting](https://virtual-peaker.com/platform/forecasting-suite/)
- [Investor-Owned Utilities](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/investor-owned-utilities/)
- [Municipal Utilities](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/municipal-utilities/)
- [Cooperatives](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/cooperatives/)
- [Bring Your Own Device](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/bring-your-own-device/)
- [Customer Engagement](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/customer-engagement/)
- [Demand Response](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/demand-response/)
- [EV Charging](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/ev-charging/)
- [Incentive Processing](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/incentive-processing/)
- [Program Design](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/program-design/)
- [Program Management Automation](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/program-management-automation/)
- [Localized Dispatch](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/localized-dispatch/)
- [Virtual Power Plants](https://virtual-peaker.com/topline-demand-control/)
- [APIs](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/apis/)
- [Device Partners](https://virtual-peaker.com/partners/device-partners/)
- [Utility Partners](https://virtual-peaker.com/partners/utility-partners/)
- [Resources](/resource-center/)
- [Blog](/resources/?post_types=post)
- [US Customers](https://utility.virtualpeaker.io/#/logon)
- [CA Customers](https://utility.ca.virtualpeaker.io/#/)
- [LET’S CHAT](/demo-request/)
- [Resources](https://virtual-peaker.com/resource-center/)
- [Careers at Virtual Peaker](https://virtual-peaker.com/company/careers/)
- [Do you need support?](https://virtual-peaker.com/company/contact/)

---

## Footer Links

- [info@virtual-peaker.com](mailto:info@virtual-peaker.com)
- [Device Partners](https://virtual-peaker.com/partners/device-partners/)
- [Utility Partners](https://virtual-peaker.com/partners/utility-partners/)
- [Investor-Owned Utilities](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/investor-owned-utilities/)
- [Municipal Utilities](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/municipal-utilities/)
- [Cooperatives](https://virtual-peaker.com/solutions/cooperatives/)
- [About](https://virtual-peaker.com/company/)
- [Our Team](https://virtual-peaker.com/team/)
- [Diversity](https://virtual-peaker.com/diversity-equity-inclusion/)
- [Careers](https://virtual-peaker.com/company/careers/)
- [Contact Us](https://virtual-peaker.com/company/contact/)
- [Newsroom](/resources/?post_types=news)
- [Sustainability](https://virtual-peaker.com/company/sustainability/)
- [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy/)
- [Terms of Use](/terms-of-use/)