Manually Adding Utility Rates

Before you begin, make sure to refer to your site's associated utility rate plan. You can find the name of your plan on your utility bill or through your utility provider's online portal.

For detailed information about your tariff and demand charge structure, visit your utility provider’s website or contact them directly.

Important Note: Understanding your utility rate plan is essential for making the most of our Utility Rates feature in InControl. If you need guidance on identifying your rate plan or assistance with setup, our support team is here to help! We now offer extended support options designed to give you the dedicated assistance you need.

To manually input your utility rates, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Utility Rates page on your menu bar

2. Click on 'Add Utility Rate' 

To start adding your utility rate, click on 'Add Utility Rate.' This will guide you through a series of steps to sync your utility rate with your account.

3. Select an account and site, then click Next

After clicking the 'Add Utility Rate' button, you'll be prompted to select the account and its associated site for linking a utility rate. If you have multiple accounts, start by choosing the correct one, then select the relevant site.

4. If automated tariffs are not available based on your ZIP code, select 'Continue'.

From here you can manually enter a name for your utility rate and specify your utility provider.

5. Next, you'll be prompted with a blank utility rates page. Click on 'Add Calendar Period' to start entering your utility rate details.

6. Once the 'Add Calendar Period' form appears, refer to the details of your utility rate plan to enter the necessary information.

• Give the calendar period a name (e.g. Summer 2024)
• Choose whether your utility rate falls under "At All Times (Flat)' or if it requires a "Specified Date Range"
• At all times: This is ideal for flat rates that remain constant throughout the year. 
• Specific date range: Select this option for entering rates with multiple seasons and varying prices throughout the year.

7. Once all information is inputted and matched to your rate plan select 'Create Period'

Note: If you have a calendar period marked as disabled, no energy cost or demand charge will be calculated. 

8. Now that you have created a calendar period, let's proceed with adding specific tariff bands and demand charges.

Adding a tariff band: 

Click on the 'Add Tariff Band' option. This will prompt a form where you can enter the different tariff bands as specified in your utility rate plan.

• Start by reviewing your plan and identifying the different peak periods for the current season or calendar period (e.g., Off-Peak). Select the peak period you want to add. There are pre-selected colors for each band, but you can change it by clicking on the colored circle to see all available options.
• Next, choose the specific day(s) of the week and time of day that this peak period applies to. (e.g., Weekdays) 
• Finally, enter the energy usage price ($/kW) for that peak period, as listed in your utility rate plan.

You will not be able to proceed if the tariff band you create conflicts with an existing one.

• Save the tariff by clicking on 'Create Band' once all details are entered. The tariff will be applied to the site.

Review the tariff details you have added: 

Switch between Calendar and List view to review the tariff bands and details by clicking between the two options in the top right corner, as highlighted here.

Adding demand charges: 

Demand charges, are based on peak electricity use rather than total consumption, and can greatly affect your EV fleet's operating costs. Effectively managing these charges can reduce your electricity expenses and improve budget planning.

9. Click on 'Add Demand Charge' to open a form where you can enter the different demand charges as specified on your utility rate plan.

Supported demand charge types and how to input them are as follows:

Flat: A flat demand charge refers to a fixed fee that a utility company charges based on the highest level of power demand (measured in kW) during a billing period.

Tiered: Tiered demand charges vary based on pre-defined levels or “tiers” of demand. As usage increases and crosses into a higher tier, the charge per unit of demand may increase. This structure incentivizes users to stay within lower tiers to avoid higher charges. 

Changes through the day: Demand charges that vary by the time of day are fees that are higher during peak hours, when demand for electricity is at its highest, and lower during off-peak hours. This pricing structure encourages you to use electricity during off-peak times to save money on your bill.

Subscription Block: Subscription blocks involve purchasing a section or ‘block’ of demand capacity at a fixed rate, which you can utilize as needed. This can provide cost stability and predictability for fluctuating demand patterns.

10. Once you have inputted your Demand Charge information, Select 'Create Demand' 

Then you can then review the details:

Now that you know how to add both tariff bands and demand charges, complete the rest of the calendar period with all the relevant tariff periods and demand charges from your utility rate plan.