FAQs

• But my EV came with a “charger” that I can simply plug into the existing 3 prong outlet at home, why do I need to upgrade?
• ◦ EV chargers come in 3 different voltages:
• ‧ 120V, often referred to as “L1”, may come with your EV
• ‧ 240V, often referred to as “L2”, often is an upgrade for your EV
• ‧ 480V, often referred to as “L3” or “DCFC” or “Supercharging”, only available at public charging facilities


• ◦ Some EVs come with an L1“OUC (Occasional Use Cable)which will plug into a standard 3 prong 120V grounded outlet. This will allow you to add back approximately 3 miles of driving range for every hour the EV is plugged in.


• ◦ An L2, 240V EV charger will allow much faster recharging (but the EV control show much power it will accept, NOT the EV charging box since the “charging” circuitry is actually in the EV and not the box).
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• ◦ The more difficult“use case”isn’t the daily drive to the train station or work, it is more difficult on those days that you leave home, run an errand for say 10 miles and return to charge up. If you have 1 hour before the next errand you’ve only added back 3 miles, so you’re still down 7 miles of range when you head out to run the next errand 1 hour later. Repeat these “errand runs” a few times a day and you’ll see that the OUC is not capable of keeping your EV “topped up” in between trips.


• ◦ Here is a comparison table showing how many miles are added per hour of charging and how many miles are added during an 8 hr overnight charging session.

• I hear different stories about the rebates in NJ. What’s the real deal with EV charger rebates?
• ◦ There are 3 separate NJ incentives pertaining to EV chargers:
• ‧ Make ready rebate (up to $1500 depending upon your utility company)
• ‧ Time of Use Discount (approx. $0.02/kWh depending upon your utility company)
• ‧ $250 EV charger rebate (if your unit is eligible)


• ◦ In addition to the NJ specific incentives,you may be eligible for a 30% federal income tax credit (up to $1000).
• ‧ Check it out here
• ‧ Consult with your tax advisor to see if you are eligible for this tax credit

• Where do I learn more about these NJ rebates?
• ◦ PSE&G:
• ‧ Customer side makes ready:
• ‧ Up to $1500
• ‧ For more info, click: here
• ◦ JCP&L:
• ‧ Customer side makes ready:
• ‧ L2 Customer make ready: up to $1,500
• ‧ For more info, click: here
• ◦ $250Incentive(ChargeupNJCleanEnergy)forthepurchaseandinstallationofeligible EV charging units
• ‧ For more info, click: here

• I hear different stories about the rebates in NJ. What’s the real deal with EV charger rebates?

◦ Your home’s electrical panel will determine if your home can support EV charging. PEM will provide a free estimate (either virtual or in person estimate) to determine if your current electrical panel can support the addition of EV charging. Some older home may require upgrades to the electrical panel and/or service.

• I was told by my utility that the service to my home was inadequate and I would need a service upgrade, why? What would that cost?

◦ This means that the utility company has determined that there is not enough power available to support you adding an EV charger. In the email from your utility company, it will state how much the upgrade will cost. Most utility companies will provide up to $5,000 cost reduction for any utility side make ready charges. These are utility company issues that PEM has no control over. Please contact your utility company if these issues arise.

• I heard that PSE&G (utility company) will reimburse me for my EV charger unit?

◦ NO!!! The NJ Incentives through the utility companies only cover MAKEREADY,NOT the EV Charger itself. The EV charger is covered by the $250 rebate under the NJ ChargeUp rebate program (see links for the programs)

• I installed a Tesla Wall Connector & applied for the utility company rebate & was denied?

◦ The utility company rebate requires the installation of a “smart” EV charger that is able to report usage back to the utility. Tesla Gen 3 Wall Connector is a smart charger, but the prior versions were not and therefore the earlier versions are NOT ELIGIBLE.

• I have a Tesla, I heard that I can’t just use any EV Charger?

◦ All EVs sold in the US use the SAEJ-1772(akaJ-plug)connector as the standard connector for L1 and L2 charging. Tesla EVs use a proprietary connector (NACS), so Tesla has included an adapter with each of their EV sold, so you can connect and charge a Tesla EV to an EV Charger with a J-1772 connector.

• I installed a ChargePoint home charger (as suggested by utility company), got my utility company rebate but was denied the $250 ev charger rebate by NJ ChargeUp?

◦ The $250 EV Charger ChargeUp rebate has specific units that are eligible. The only EV charger currently eligible for BOTH the utility company and ChargeUp rebates are the Enel-X/Juicebox products.

• I installed a WallBox EV charger and was denied the Time of Use Discount rate plan, why?

◦ To qualify for the Time of Use Discount of $0.02/kWh,at the moment the only units that qualify are the Enel-X/Juicebox or ChargePoint units.

• I heard the utility rebates were $1500 but I only got back $900?

◦ The utility rebates cover your actual cost UP TO THE MAXIMUM value of their program (PSEG is $1500). If you only spent $900, you will only get back $900.

• Why didn’t I automatically get a check for the utility rebate?

◦ Once your rebate is approved, you will get a utility service credit. Once the credit appears on your bill, you can call customer service and request a check.

• Does PEM recommend a specific EV charger?

◦ While we leave the selection up to you,we are happy to guide you with your selection. Due to the NJ incentives, in order to maximize your incentives, currently the best option would be an Enel-X/Juicebox unit.

◦ PEM offers a wide range of EV Chargers(NJ State Law require UL and Energy Star certification) from brands such as:

• ‧ ChargePoint
• ‧ Enel-X/Juicebox
• ‧ Grizzl-e
• ‧ Sema Connect
• ‧ Wallbox

• Why do I need to go through the hassle of getting an electrical permit?

◦ If you intend on applying for the rebates,you must get and properly close out an electrical permit

◦ Check the details of your utility rebate program.

◦ The customer must obtain a permit for the EV smart charger installation and pass a subsequent inspection.

• I have a solar system on my roof, it will take me a long time to use up my utility credit.

◦ Once your rebate is approved, you will get a utility service credit. Once the credit appears on your bill, you can call customer service and request a check.

• I hear that EV chargers come in either hardwired or plug in versions, what does that mean?

◦ Many EV chargers are available in either hardwired or plug in versions. Plug in versions offer the convenience of being able to quickly unplug it, moving it to another location, & quickly plugging it back in again. However, US electrical codes limit plug in EV chargers to a maximum output of 40 Amps.

◦ Hardwired installations offer a more “secure” installation since there is no possibility of sparking when you plug/unplug the EVSE.

• 40 Amps? I heard there are chargers that will provide up to 80 Amps of output, isn’t more output better?

◦ Technically what most folks call an “EVCharger” isn’t actually a charger,they are EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) because the “box” doesn’t actually control the charging. All the charging controls are in the EV itself, the EVSE is merely a way to get power into the EV, but the EV controls how much power comes into the car.

◦ As an example if your EV is only capable of accepting 32Amps(7kW charge rate),then even if you installed a 80 Amp EVSE, the EVSE will only output 32 Amps because that is what the EV is asking for.

◦ If you’re looking to “futureproof” your EVSE installation (you may buy an EV later on that may be able to accept 80 Amps or a higher amperage than the EV you currently own), buying a “fast” a EVSE as your budget allows may be a good move.