PG&E Wants to Reward Smart EV Charging Homes With Solar Can Take Those Savings Even Further

PG&E Wants to Reward Smart EV Charging
Homes With Solar Can Take Those Savings Even Further
Pacific Gas and Electric and GM Energy have teamed up on a new bundle aimed at Northern and Central California drivers buying or leasing a new electric vehicle. Announced on September 23, 2026, the Smart Charge bundle combines a home charger with ongoing bill savings for drivers who let PG&E help manage when their car charges.

What the bundle includes
Eligible customers who buy or lease a new Chevrolet, GMC, or Cadillac EV at participating dealers in PG&E's service area can receive a home EV charger at no cost, valued at up to $1,999. Drivers can choose the PowerUp 2 for standard Level 2 charging or the PowerShift, which supports bidirectional charging. Customers enroll in PG&E's EV Charge Manager program, which automatically schedules charging during lower-cost periods while making sure the car is ready when needed. Participants receive a $15 monthly bill credit from PG&E, plus potential additional savings of about $50 a month through managed charging, for a combined value of up to $65 a month. Customers can sign up at participating dealerships or through the GM Energy enrollment portal.

Why utilities care when you charge
EV charging can add a large load to a home. If thousands of drivers plug in at 6 p.m., during the evening peak, it strains the grid and pushes up costs. Managed charging shifts that demand to cheaper, less congested hours, which is why PG&E is willing to pay drivers to participate.

How solar takes the savings further
Smart charging lowers the price you pay the utility for electricity. Solar can lower how much electricity you buy at all. A rooftop solar system can generate the power your EV needs, and a home battery can store solar energy so you can charge from it or power your home in the evening when PG&E's time-of-use rates are highest. For EV households, that combination can be powerful. Your car runs on sunshine produced on your own roof, your home avoids expensive peak-hour power, and a battery keeps essential loads running during outages, including public safety power shutoffs common in parts of PG&E's territory.

Getting solar without buying equipment
Through third-party ownership programs, qualifying homeowners can get solar and battery storage installed without buying or financing equipment, while enjoying lower energy costs and backup power. A smart charger saves some money. A smart charger powered by your own solar saves more. If you drive an EV, or are planning to, see whether your home qualifies.

To find out if your home qualifies for a TPO solar and battery program, visit myhomesolution.org/california_public_utility_commissions