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Ameren Illinois Adding Optional Rate Plan for Electric Vehicle Users

Ameren Illinois customers who have an electric vehicle - or are looking to get one - will soon have a few more choices in the way their bills are calculated.

In July, the Illinois Commerce Commission this month approved an E-V Charging Tariff, which the utility's leaders say is an effort to promote the use of electric vehicles.

Michael Abba is Director of Business Development for Ameren.

"It will lay on top of our delivery service rate. That will provide incentives for charging, for customers with EVs, for charging at the right time."

Abba says as EV use increases, charging during off hours is better for all customers.

"You know part of the tariff is to incentivize or send those right pricing signals to EV owners to suggest they charge during times when the grid is not as loaded, late evening to morning times."

Customers can choose to opt-in to the E-V program this fall. It's similar to Ameren's "Power Smart Pricing," which uses market rates to calculate charging rates hour-by-hour, based on grid usage and load.

Kevin Boucher is a retired broadcaster. Most recently he was a news reporter for WSIU radio. He grew up watching nature programs including Mutual of Omaha’s wild kingdom and the many Jacques Cousteau specials which sparked his passion with nature. Kevin also is an avid hiker and loves seeing and writing stories about the many fascinating plants and animals we share our planet with. Kevin is married and has lived in Murphysboro since 1976, after living in many places, including Japan, as the son of a Navy officer.


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