The Xcel Energy Setting 68% of Bloomington EV Owners Never Configure — Costing Them $600 a Year

Xcel Energy’s residential time-of-use (TOU) rate structure charges roughly $0.07 per kWh during off-peak hours (typically 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.) versus approximately $0.14 per kWh during peak periods. That two-to-one ratio does not sound dramatic until you apply it to real charging scenarios. A full charge on a Ford F-150 Lightning (131 kWh battery) costs $9.17 at the off-peak rate versus $18.34 at peak — a $9 difference per charge. Charging three times a week, that is $1,404 per year in avoidable cost. ChargePoint’s own user data found that 68% of customers who own a smart charger never configure a charging schedule, leaving TOU savings completely on the table. The entire setup takes about five minutes in an app. Our home installation service includes a walkthrough of scheduling setup on the day of installation.

Not all chargers have smart scheduling — and even among smart chargers, the app quality varies significantly. The ChargePoint Home Flex (CPF50, $699) is the strongest all-around option: iOS and Android app, geo-fencing auto-start when you arrive home, Alexa and Google Home integration, and adjustable amperage from 16 to 50 amps. The JuiceBox 40 ($399) is ENERGY STAR certified, supports TOU scheduling natively, and includes load-balancing features that prevent circuit trips when your AC and dryer run simultaneously. The Emporia EV24 ($179) is the most affordable smart option — basic TOU scheduling works, but the app is less polished. One important note: the Grizzl-E Classic is an excellent charger with superior cold-weather durability, but it has no WiFi by design. If TOU savings are your goal, the Grizzl-E is not the right tool for this specific use case.

Smart load management is more than a convenience feature for Bloomington homes — for houses in the 55420 and 55437 ZIPs with 100-amp or 150-amp panels, it is a safety net. Load-managing chargers like the JuiceBox 40 and ChargePoint Home Flex monitor your total home current draw in real time. When the AC kicks on, the dryer runs, and the oven is heating simultaneously, the charger automatically reduces its draw to prevent tripping the main breaker. Without this feature, an unmanaged 40-amp charger running at full draw alongside peak household load can trip a 100-amp panel repeatedly. If you are on an older panel and not ready for an upgrade, a smart charger with load management buys you time. If you are ready to fully solve the capacity issue, see our panel upgrade service.

For Bloomington homeowners considering solar alongside EV charging, the Emporia EV24 offers direct integration with the Emporia energy monitor — the charger draws only from excess solar production and ramps up when the grid is not needed. Bloomington averages 5.0 to 5.5 peak sun hours per day in June and July, dropping to about 2.5 in December. A 6 kW solar array can generate enough surplus on summer afternoons to charge a Chevy Bolt EUV from 20% to 80% without pulling a single watt from the grid. The ChargePoint Home Flex also supports solar integration via third-party energy management platforms. Use our EV cost calculator to model the combined savings of TOU scheduling plus solar offset for your specific home.

A good installation is not finished when the charger is bolted to the wall and the circuit is energized. Before the electrician leaves, the following should be complete: the charger is connected to your home WiFi, the companion app is downloaded and paired to the unit, your Xcel account TOU schedule is entered into the charger’s off-peak window, and you have seen a live demonstration of how to adjust or override the schedule manually. This takes about 15 minutes and saves you the frustration of figuring it out yourself at 10 p.m. on a Sunday. If your installer is not doing this, ask them to — or contact us and we will make sure it is part of every job.