Based on your responses, you may qualify for the NeoCharge Pilot Program.

This is a California Energy Commission-funded study testing whether smart energy monitoring can safely enable home EV charging without expensive electrical panel upgrades (which typically cost $3,000-$6,000). You'll receive over $1,500 in value completely free: a brand-new OCPP compatible charger ($400-$700 MSRP), professional installation, a smart energy monitoring system, and $100 cash. You'll also help advance research that could make EV charging more accessible for thousands of California families.

You need to:

• Own or lease an electric vehicle (or have one on order)
• Live in a low-income or disadvantaged community (for most of the 200 spots)
• Own your home or have landlord approval for electrical work
• Have an accessible electric panel that approved by Treehouse for safe electrical work
• Be willing to use the NeoCharge mobile app (available in English and Spanish)
• Participate in data collection through December 2026

You receive:

• Wallbox Pulsar Plus OR Autel AC Lite: A brand-new Level 2 EV charger (Ranging $400-$749 retail value) that you keep permanently
• NeoCharge Energy Monitor: Smart monitoring system that manages your charging
• Professional Installation: Licensed electrician installation paid for by NeoCharge
• Mobile App: Track your energy use and charging sessions in English or Spanish
• $100 Cash: $50 when you enroll, $50 when the project completes

The charger is yours to keep forever—no returns required. The Energy Monitor may remain installed if you're satisfied with it, or we can remove it at no cost if the product isn't continued commercially.

The Energy Monitor uses CT (current transformer) clamps on your main breaker to measure your home's real-time electrical usage. It communicates with your charger to automatically manage charging based on available panel capacity. When your home approaches its electrical limit, charging pauses or slows down. When capacity becomes available, charging resumes automatically.

Safety is guaranteed through:

• ETL safety certification (completed before installations begin in April 2026)
• Professional installation by licensed electricians
• Industry-standard OCPP technology
• Failsafe design that defaults to safe operation if communication is lost

The system defaults to safe operation if WiFi connectivity is lost briefly. Extended WiFi outages may temporarily reduce or pause charging until connectivity is restored. Normal charging resumes automatically once WiFi reconnects.

Participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups:

1. Control Group: Standard charging without optimization
2. TOU Optimized: Charging scheduled during lower-cost time-of-use periods
3. Grid Emissions Optimized: Charging scheduled when grid electricity is cleanest
4. TOU + Emissions Optimized: Combined cost and emissions optimization

You cannot choose your group—random assignment ensures valid research results. All participants receive the same equipment and benefits. Potential cost savings depend on your study group and utility rates. After the project ends, we'll share all findings so you can choose whichever optimization approach you prefer going forward.

We'll collect anonymized data on your energy usage and charging patterns through December 2026 to understand how load management works in real-world conditions. All data is anonymized before being submitted to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)—your personal information is not shared.

You may receive occasional emails (typically every few months) with project updates. NeoCharge technical support is available throughout the project to help with any issues or questions. If equipment malfunctions, we'll repair or replace it at no cost.

January-February 2026: Survey launch and participant sign-ups

March 2026: Participant screening and selection

April 2026: Safety certification complete; installations begin

April-June 2026: Rolling installations over 8-10 weeks

Through December 2026: Data collection and study completion

The NeoCharge Energy Monitor was developed specifically for this CEC pilot, and NeoCharge hasn't yet decided whether it will become a permanent commercial product. This means long-term software updates and support aren't guaranteed beyond the project period.

If NeoCharge doesn't continue the Energy Monitor commercially:

• We'll consult with you about your satisfaction with the product
• If you want it removed, we'll pay for a licensed electrician to remove it at no cost
• If you're satisfied, you can continue using it as-is (though software support may not be available)

Your Smart EV Charger is yours permanently and will continue working as a standard Level 2 charger regardless of what happens with the Energy Monitor.

No! Everything is provided completely free: equipment, installation, and support. You'll also receive $100 cash. If you change your mind after enrolling, contact NeoCharge support to discuss your options.

If you are using a Smart Splitter to share power between a 240V appliance and an EV charger, the Energy Monitor + Wallbox will be a drop-in replacement for you.

Instead of using a Smart Splitter to manage power between two devices on one circuit, this new system will intelligently manage the power to the EV charger based upon the electrical load coming from your entire home. This enables an even more robust energy management system and allows the Wallbox EV charger to be hardwired to the panel.

Yes! We are looking for 200+ California EV drivers to join our pilot program. All expenses are covered under NeoCharge's grant with the California Energy Commission with project EPC-24-022