EV charging program design template

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Every decision your utility needs to make to launch an EV charging program. Not all of these may apply to your program; this is meant to be a guide for questions to align on with your program needs.

1. Program basics

Item	What we need	Your answer
Utility name	As customers know you. It's shown on the program page and in partner apps
Program name	Shown on your program page and to customers in partner apps
Program description	Up to three sentences customers will see: what the program does, what they earn, and how they stay in control
Utility logo	A .png or .jpg for the program page and partner apps
Primary contact	Name and email for program decisions
Billing / credits contact	Who applies customer incentives or bill credits
State(s) and time zone	Where the program is offered, and the time zone used to schedule events
Target launch date	When you want to begin enrolling customers
Program term	Ongoing, or a fixed end date
Program page URL	Where customers will learn about the program on your website

2. Program type and goals

Decision	Standard	Options
What's enrolled	—	Level 2 home chargers, electric vehicles (through the automaker's connected app), or both
Charger and vehicle brands	—	Which brands customers can enroll
How charging is managed	—	Behavioral: customers adjust their charging to avoid the peak. Managed: your utility sends commands to start or stop charging based on high demand
Use cases	—	Shifting charging out of the peak; verifying incentives with charging data; peak or capacity reduction; distribution relief
Participation goal	—	Number of chargers or vehicles you're aiming for
Participation or budget cap	—	Any limit on devices or program spend

3. Eligibility

Decision	Standard	Options
Device ownership	—	Bring your own (customers enroll a charger or vehicle they already have); program-provided charger (your utility sends a free charger when a customer enrolls); a rebate toward a new charger or installation; or a mix
Service territory	—	ZIP codes or service territory where the program is offered
How applications are checked	—	By account number, service address, or ZIP code
Rate (tariff) requirement	—	None, or a specific rate such as an EV or time-of-use rate

4. Incentives

EV programs usually pay a one-time incentive when a customer joins, and an ongoing incentive for charging off-peak or taking part in events. Amounts depend on your program's economic goals.

Decision	Standard	Options
Enrollment incentive	—	One-time amount when a customer joins, or none
Ongoing incentive	—	Monthly, seasonal, or per event. Decide what earns it, for example no charging in the peak window that month, or taking part in events
How incentives are paid	—	Bill credit, check, rebate, or gift card
Incentive cap	—	None, a fixed dollar cap, or a cap per device
Program-provided charger	—	If your utility sends customers a free charger: which charger, who ships and installs it, whether installation is covered, and any commitment, such as staying enrolled for a minimum period
Charger purchase or installation rebate	—	If you help customers buy their own charger: the rebate amount, and what it covers

5. Charging windows and events

Decision	Standard	Options
Peak window	—	The hours customers should avoid charging (for example 3–10 pm), and whether it applies every day or weekdays only
Season	—	Year-round, or specific months
Event frequency and duration	—	If you call events: how many per month or season, and how long they last. Or no dispatch
Customer notice	—	Day-ahead notice, or no notice
Customer overrides	—	Customers can always charge when they need to. Decide what that means for their incentive, for example no incentive for that month or that event

6. Data and verification

Decision	Standard	Options
Data you need	—	Session-level charging data (when each charge started and ended, and how much energy), interval data, or event results
How incentives are verified	—	The rule that decides whether a customer earned the incentive, for example no sessions in the peak window that month
Reporting	—	What reports you need, how often, and who receives them
Third-party evaluation	—	Whether you expect an independent evaluation, and by whom

7. Enrollment and customer experience

Decision	Standard	Options
Enrollment path	Your website links to the Texture-hosted program page and enrollment form	Some charger makers and automakers can also offer enrollment inside their app
Terms and conditions	Standard program terms hosted by Texture	Your own terms
Details for your website	Incentive amounts, eligibility, and who to contact	—
Program marketing	Your utility	Your utility, the device maker, or both
Customer support contact	—	Who customers contact with questions about the program and their incentives
Customer communications	Your utility's channels	Newsletter, bill insert, email, social

8. Fit check

Check any statement that applies so we can talk through options before launch.

☐ We want managed charging, where commands start or stop charging, not only behavioral incentives.

☐ We want to include vehicles through automaker apps, not only home chargers.

☐ We want to send customers a free charger when they enroll.

☐ We want to offer rebates on new chargers or installations.

☐ We need events limited to specific areas, such as a substation or feeder.

☐ We want our own terms and conditions rather than standard program terms.

None checked

You're ready for the standard program.

Any checked

We'll talk through options with you. Some are quick to handle; others shape the program design or the timeline.