There will be a projected 19 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by 2030, up from 1.9 million today. While this additional load will strain the grid, it also provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on the growing EV trend, with the potential to leverage important grid investments, charging infrastructure, and customer engagement to add outsized value. 

Most utilities are in a discovery and pilot phase for their EV program strategy, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of how and when customers are adopting EVs as well as how to encourage customers to participate in managed charging and rates programs. 

Yet, customers also don’t tend to think of their utility when it comes to EVs. Uplight’s primary research found that only 36% of customers who purchase an EV are likely to contact their utility. 

This creates a big opportunity for utilities to get ahead of their customers and provide a robust, informative, and personalized EV program that positions them as a trusted electric vehicle resource. And the EV purchase is just one part of the customer journey. Customer engagement starts during EV consideration and continues well after a customer brings their car home. 

Before purchase, utilities can help advise customers on the best car for their preferences and lifestyle as well as help them plan for potential bill impacts from charging. Utilities can then drive value downstream by partnering with customers to help them select the right rates, avoid bill shock, and empower them to charge their vehicles when the cheapest and cleanest energy is available through a range of EV programs. 

Learn how Uplight’s solutions help utilities target, educate, activate, and orchestrate their customers to enable them to optimize their entire EV customer experience in our latest eBook, Engaging Customers Throughout Their EV Journey.