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Electric Vehicle FAQs - Residential - California Electric - Liberty

Let Liberty Help you Drive Electric

  • Learn about the costs and benefits of driving electric with our comparison tool, ChooseEV. 
  • Get rebates for installing charging at your home and business. 
  • Find chargers near you. 
  • Contribute to a cleaner environment.
Contact an EV Expert

Contact our EV team at 530-543-5286 or email CAElectricVehicle@LibertyUtilities.com  to learn more.

Residential


  • Yes, to be eligible for the rebate the Liberty customer must show that they currently have and Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) that was purchased or leased after June 30, 2017. This includes Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) that are capable of charging from the standard J1772 plug. 

  • We understand that some buyers have to wait to take delivery of their new cars. You may apply before you take delivery of your EV and Liberty will reserve a rebate for up to six months. The rebate will be paid after you take delivery of your car, complete the charger installation and submit purchase and service invoices, with your car registration, in the online application.

  • No, but the EV owner must be the customer named on the Liberty electricity billRenters may be asked to show that the homeowner has given permission for the installation.

  • No, all Liberty residential customers are eligible.

  • Customers may select from the chargers below. These Level 2 (220 volt) chargers are internet connected and capable of charging any make of PEV, including Tesla. If you don’t see the charger that you prefer, but think that it may meet Liberty requirements, contact Liberty directly– we’ll see if we can add it to our list of qualified equipment.

     

    Charger Make Charger Model
    ChargePoint Home Flex 
    Enel X JuiceBox 32 
    Enel X  JuiceBox 40 
    FLO  X5 
  • All makes and models of PEV can be charged with the Liberty qualified chargers, including Tesla.

  • Yes, a licensed California electrical contractor must install your charger. You’ll provide the contractors invoice in the online application when you request the rebate.

  • Any California licensed electrical contractor (C-10) may be used for your installation. Liberty recommends that you get several bids for your project, and use resources like friends and referrals to find a contractor. You should always confirm a contractor’s license status on the California State License Board website. Liberty also provides a list of licensed contractors on our Find a Contractor page.

  • Yes. It’s great news if your home has an outlet ready for your car charger, but to be sure that the existing outlet is adequately and safely powered, Liberty’s rebate helps cover the cost to have a licensed electrician set up your charger.

  • It depends. Building permit requirements differ based on your project details and your county of residence. Your contractor will provide information about permit requirements, and you may also reach your local building department directly. If a permit is required, you’ll provide a copy of the final inspection in the online application when you request the rebate.

  • Anonymous charging data provided by customers who receive the rebate helps Liberty, and the California Public Utilities Commission, to understand our customer’s needs and how to structure future rebate programs.

  • No action is required on the part of the customer, except to consent to share your data in the online application. Liberty works directly with the charger manufacturer to receive the data once a year.

  • Yes. Your privacy is important to us. EV charging data will only be used for purposes directed by the CPUC. See more about our Privacy Policy.

  • Internet connection is required for participation in the Drive Electric Program.

  • Most residences have adequate power capacity to support a charger. When you are ready to learn more, work with a licensed contractor who can assess your home’s electrical configuration. If upgrades are required before a charger can be installed, these costs are eligible to be covered by the $1,500 rebate.

  • Charging at home is generally the most affordable way to “fuel” your EV. Liberty’s Time-of-Use (TOU) rate lowers the cost of energy during off peak hours, so customers who can leave their cars plugged in overnight can benefit most. See the full details on the TOU-EV rate page.

  • You’ll pay a lower rate by charging during off-peak hours. In winter, the off-peak period is 10pm to 7am, and in summer, off-peak is 10pm to 10am. See the full details on the TOU-EV rate page.

  • Yes, participants will be automatically changed to the Time-of-Use rate when the installation is complete and the rebate is paid. The only exception is that net metered customers with solar on their homes will not be changed to the TOU rate.  

  • No, in most cases, your charger will be connected to your main service, so your EV charging consumption will be included in your overall home meter read. 

  • Yes.

  • You’ll own your charger, and like other appliances in your home, you’ll work with a professional if a repair is required. Liberty suggests that you compare prices, warranties and other benefits when you shop for your charger to make the right choice for your needs.

  • You can apply for rebate if you’ve installed an eligible charger within the last 60 days and can meet the other program requirements.

  • Participants agree to leave the charger in the home where it was originally installed.

Small Business


  • Liberty business customers who take service on the Small Commercial rate qualify for the Small Business rebate.

  • No, the small business must be the Liberty customer on the utility bill, but does not have to own the property. You may be asked to show that the property owner has given permission for the installation.

  • Yes. The business owner, employees and visitors may use the charger, but it must also be made available to the general public, [subject to reasonable conditions for security].

  • Yes. As the owner of the charger, you’ll be able to set your own fees using the management system provided by the charger that you select.

  • Level 2 chargers that are network enabled and eligible for the CalEVIP programs are eligible for the Liberty Small Business rebate.

  • YesLiberty encourages small business owners to plan for EV charging capacity adequate to meet current and future needs.  However, the maximum Drive Electric Program rebate is $2,500 for each Liberty electric service location, no matter the total number of chargers installed.

  • All makes and models of PEV can be charged with the Liberty qualified chargers, including Tesla.

  • Yes. A California licensed electrical contractor (C-10) must complete the installation.

  • Any California licensed electrical contractor (C-10) may be used for your installation. Liberty recommends that you get several bids for your project, and use resources like friends and referrals to find a contractor. You should always confirm a contractor’s license status on the California State License Board website. Liberty also provides a list of licensed contractors on our Find a Contractor page.

  • Yes. Consult your contractor or local building authority for specific requirements.

  • Anonymous charging data provided by customers who receive the rebate helps Liberty, and the California Public Utilities Commission, to understand our customer’s needs and how to structure future rebate programs.

  • You’ll share charging data that is available from the management system provided by the charger that you select will be shared once a year directly to Liberty on a standardized online form provided by Liberty.

  • You’ll pay a lower rate when users charge during off-peak hours. In winter, the off-peak period is 10pm to 7am, and in summer, off-peak is 10pm to 10am. See the full details on the EV TOU page.

  • Yes.

  • Like other appliances that your businesowns, you’ll work with a professional if a repair is required. Liberty suggests that you compare prices, warranties and other benefits when you shop for your charger to make the right choice for your needs.

  • The application must be submitted prior to installation for the project to be eligible for rebate.

  • Yes, however, Liberty’s rebate cannot cause the total amount of rebates or incentives received to exceed the actual cost of the installation. 

  • Participants agree to leave the charger at the business where it was originally installed for ten years after installation.

Electric Vehicle FAQs