​Washington, D.C. (September 7, 2018) – Pepco filed a request with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, for approval to implement a suite of programs focused on advancing innovation and increasing accessibility to electric transportation options for all residents of the District of Columbia.  The request provides customers with reduced electric rates, credits, rebates and other incentives toward purchasing and operating electric vehicles (EVs) as well as facilitates the electrification of public transit and other commercial transportation options. The $15.2 million suite of programs is the latest in a series of efforts by Pepco to advance the future of energy service for customers in the District of Columbia and make it a national leader.  ​

"The electrification of the transportation sector is an essential component to the efforts to drive reduced carbon emissions, air pollutants and provide a safer, healthier environment in the District," said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings. "These programs both incentivize customers to pursue an EV option as their next vehicle purchase and provide them with the confidence that new charging options will be available to meet their fueling needs across the District."

Pepco's proposal - developed through input from over two dozen stakeholders, customer survey results and following three public workshops - outlines a voluntary suite of programs consisting of several key offerings for customers:

• Special electric rates for residential customers with EVs who charge their vehicles during off-peak hours.
• Up to 50 residential customers can receive a 50 percent discount for the equipment and installation costs for a Level 2 smart charging station at their home. Residential customers living in disadvantaged communities will receive a 50 percent discount on a Smart Level 2 charging station and Pepco will cover 100 percent of the installation costs for up to 20 percent of these customers.
• In coordination with the District's Department of Transportation, Pepco will install up to 35 Level 2 chargers in neighborhood locations.
• Commercial customers who own or operate office buildings and garages where dedicated parking can be made available for EV charging, can receive 50 percent off the cost of up to 50 Level 2 chargers and 100 percent of the installation costs.
• Pepco will install up to 20 fast chargers along main transportation corridors within Pepco's District of Columbia service area. Two fast chargers would be strategically located in each Ward, along with one charger located in each quadrant to support EV ride share and taxis.
• The company will create a $1 million innovation fund to provide grants to people or groups with projects designed to advance EV charging across the District and support the electrification of the transportation sector.

To accommodate the high use of public transportation in the District, as well as the lack of dedicated parking or garages, and to provide a benefit to a greater number of District residents, Pepco's application includes charging infrastructure for buses, fleet trucks, and taxi/rideshare services. The Company's plan also will target charging infrastructure for multi-dwelling units and workplaces, which offer around-the clock opportunities for charging plug-in vehicle customers who currently may not have convenient access to charging facilities.

The sale of electric vehicles is growing in the District of Columbia.  According to the United States Department of Energy, in 2016 only eight states (California, Hawaii, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Georgia, and Colorado) had more plug-in electric vehicles per 1,000 people than the District of Columbia.  Many District residents support advancing the EV charging networks across the District and believe a EV charging network would have a positive impact on the District's environment and economy. The District of Columbia currently has limited public EV charging infrastructure, contributing to low awareness of and customer apprehension toward investing in this clean and efficient transportation resource.

A study commissioned earlier this year by Edison Electric Institute, and conducted by Morning Consult, found an overwhelming majority of District of Columbia residents support advancing the electric vehicle charging network across the District and that the vast majority of residents believe an electric vehicle charging network would have a positive impact on the District's environment and economy. Also, according to the survey, 57 percent believe that District vehicles should be powered by electricity. Real EV adoption will only happen if charging infrastructure is accessible, reliable, and affordable. As the local energy provider for more than 100 years and a trusted community partner, we are best positioned to provide equitable access to EV options across all Wards of the District.

The electrification of the transportation sector is an essential component to reducing carbon emissions and air pollutants in the District that impact public health. A primary source of carbon and other air quality pollution is petroleum usage in transportation. The carbon profile of the District's electric energy mix shows that hybrid and electric vehicles provide significant benefit and that EVs are up to 90 percent cleaner from a carbon perspective than a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle. In April 2018, DDOT, in coordination with Pepco, unveiled a new fleet of 14 electric DC Circulator buses, the largest electric bus fleet in the region and one of the largest electric bus fleets nationwide.

Nearly two dozen letters of support have been submitted on behalf of Pepco's filing, from ridesharing companies to environmental groups. Pepco anticipates that it will begin offering the programs within four months after the Public Service Commission's approval. 

Yesterday's filing comes ahead of National Drive Electric Week (September 8-16, 2018), a nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of the widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. For more information about National Drive Electric Week and to learn more about events, visit www.driveelectricweek.org.

Find additional information about Pepco by visiting www.pepco.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pepcoconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.pepco.com/mobileapp.

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 About Pepco: Pepco, a public utility owned by Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 842,000 electric delivery customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.