Incentive programs are doing what they’re meant to do: accelerate EV adoption, drive infrastructure investment, and ensure charging is smart, scalable, and equitable. Programs like SmartCharge Tech in New York (Orange & Rockland, Con Edison) and Efficiency Maine offer generous funding for EV charging projects—but only when those projects meet specific, well-defined requirements.

The problem? Many companies find that after securing a grant, the path to execution is far more difficult than expected. Grid upgrades take longer than expected. Demand charges threaten financial feasibility. Or the solution initially chosen just doesn't check all the technical boxes the program requires.

Suddenly, what started as a win feels like a project on life support.

That’s where Electric Era comes in. Our battery-backed EV charging systems are aligned with incentive program requirements and help businesses and public entities bridge the gap between approval and execution. It accelerates timelines, reduces demand charges, and avoids utility delays—turning at-risk projects into real-world deployments.

‍

When good grants meet real-world barriers

‍

SmartCharge Tech & Demand Charge Rebate (ORU / Con Edison, NY)

This incentive structure is powerful: covering up to 90% of eligible costs—or even 100% in disadvantaged communities—for commercial EV chargers equipped with smart load management or battery storage. To qualify, projects must use:

• Load limiting hardware, energy management systems (EMS), or
• On-site battery-backed EV charging infrastructure

‍

But while the funding is strong, the execution requirements can be tough:

• Utility interconnection timelines delay charger installation
• Demand charges from unmanaged loads spike operating costs
• Solutions chosen without grid-friendly design may fail to qualify
  
  

SmartCharge is designed to reward thoughtful, grid-aligned deployments. But many recipients find they don’t have the technical setup or timeline needed to meet those expectations—unless they change course.

‍

Efficiency Maine: Recharge Maine, Level 3/DC Fast Chargers

Efficiency Maine offers substantial rebates for businesses and organizations that install utility-friendly EV chargers.

• One-time battery incentive
• Quarterly demand charge incentive
• Requires commissioning within one year
  
  

For organizations facing utility delays or working with integrators unfamiliar with the program’s structure, the timelines can come and go without a compliant install—jeopardizing the rebate and project ROI. In fact, in Phase 4 Round 1, three of the four awards were canceled, and in Phase 4 Round 2 (projects to be commissioned by 12/31/2025), three of the five awards have already been canceled.

‍

From grant uncertainty to turnkey success

Here are three examples of organizations that thought their incentives might fall through—until Electric Era delivered a compliant, cost-effective, battery-backed solution.

‍

C-Store/Fuel Retailer, Buena Vista, Colorado

• Challenge: Even with grant funding secured, high demand charges threatened site economics for the retailer, prompting the need for a new hardware provider to reduce operational costs.
• Solution: Electric Era’s software-enabled energy management system, combined with battery-backed architecture, met grant requirements while delivering significant demand charge savings.
• Outcome: Rebate preserved, station operational with compliant infrastructure, and ongoing operating cost reductions.

‍

Fuel Retailer, Baileyville, Maine

• Challenge: Fuel Retailer wanted to replace existing battery-less charging solution with a battery-backed solution to meet Efficiency Maine’s incentive requirement
• Solution: Electric Era delivered integrated battery-backed charging station, with peak shaving and rapid deployment timelines, eligible for the program’s incentive
• Outcome: Rebate achieved, station on track with incentive-winning infrastructure

‍

Fuel Retailer, Orono, Maine

• Challenge: Fuel Retailer was granted award but couldn’t meet Efficiency Maine’s install window, leading to a risk of cancellation
• Solution: Electric Era delivered integrated battery-backed charging station, with peak shaving and rapid deployment timelines
• Outcome: Rebate preserved, station on track with compliant infrastructure

‍

These are not one-off success stories. They’re examples of a repeatable solution designed to help companies meet program requirements that otherwise would have been out of reach.

‍

Why battery-backed charging closes the gap

Electric Era’s systems are purpose-built to align with the goals of modern EV charging incentives:

• Grid-aligned by design: Incentive programs reward load management and energy storage. Our systems natively support both—with integrated batteries and intelligent energy dispatch.
• Fast, utility-friendly installation: By avoiding complex grid interconnections and transformer upgrades, we get projects installed fast—often well within program windows.
• Demand charge mitigation: Our technology flattens peak loads, lowering operating costs and aligning with incentive structures that encourage grid-friendly energy use.
• Full program support: We provide the spec sheets, performance data, and deployment documentation that make incentive approval smoother for both customers and program administrators.
  
  

For companies with funding in hand but execution in doubt

You’ve secured the grant. The opportunity is real. But between interconnection delays, operating cost spikes, and eligibility rules, that opportunity can feel like it’s slipping away. Electric Era helps you deliver. Our solutions are designed to meet program requirements, avoid utility pitfalls, and get your EV chargers operational faster—with a clear path to long-term cost savings.

‍Let’s turn your incentive into infrastructure. Contact us to learn how Electric Era can help you deploy fast, stay compliant, and maximize the value of your EV charging grant.