Electric Vehicles FAQs

• Does Silicon Valley Power rebate electric vehicles (EV) or chargers?

  Yes, Silicon Valley Power provides rebates for EV charging station equipment for qualifying customers. Income-qualified customers are eligible for an EV rebate. For more information, please see our list of rebates and incentives.

• What do I need to know when purchasing my EV and installing a home charger?

  First, many EVs can be effectively charged overnight using a standard 110 volt outlet (what’s called a “Level 1” charger).  Check with your EV manufacturer to see if this is sufficient for your vehicle.

  If you decide you need a faster charger at home, installing a Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging system often requires changes to building wiring and utility electric services to meet the needs of this specialized equipment. You should: 

  • Talk to your EV manufacturer for information about what you need to charge your vehicle and what regulatory requirements there might be.
  • Be sure to use a licensed Electrical contractor whose license is current for electrical work. The contractor should also follow the guidelines of the manufacturer and the requirements of City of Santa Clara building codes.
  • Get a permit from the City before installing your charging system. Learn about Building Inspection Info and Guidelines for Commercial and Residential EV charging systems.

• Why is Silicon Valley Power concerned about your EV charger installation?

  Though an individual Level 2 EV charger may have a negligible impact on the utility electric system, the combined effect of several Level 2 EV chargers in the same area could result in overloads on utility secondary wires and transformers. It is important that Silicon Valley Power is notified of any charging station installations to ensure that utility electrical system components are adequately sized to maintain high levels of service reliability.

  Silicon Valley Power needs information on location (address), type of charging equipment, charging level (as defined by NEC, Article 625, see table below), and number of chargers or electric vehicles being installed. 

  Electric Vehicle Charging Levels, National Electric Code, Article 625

  CHARGER Level	Voltage (V)	Maximum Current (A)	Frequency (Hz)	Power (kVA)
  1	120	12	60	1.4
  2	208/240	32	60	6.7 / 7.8
  3	High Power, High Speed Charging – Defined by Manufacturer’s Requirements

   

• Does Silicon Valley Power have a special rate for EV charging?

  No, Silicon Valley Power's standard residential rate is lower on average than other local utility EV charging rates.

  Some other electric providers offer a Time of Use (TOU) rate. This means there are lower prices during certain times of the day when the cost to produce energy is cheapest. Santa Clara residents benefit from lower electric rates all day, every day.

  In Santa Clara, EV operation is five times cheaper than gasoline and diesel-powered cars. Switch to an EV and save big on fuel. In Santa Clara, residents could save an estimated $2,300 a year.