CALIFORNIA · CEC PILOT PROGRAM · LIMITED SPOTS
Free Level 2 EV Charger, Energy Monitor + $100 — for Qualifying California Homes.
California Energy Commission–funded pilot: receive a free Autel AC Lite Level 2 home charger, a free NeoCharge Energy Monitor, free professional installation, and $100 cash. SDG&E, PG&E, or SCE customers in low-income or disadvantaged communities qualify.
EV charging without the expensive panel upgrade — fully grant-funded for qualifying CA homes.
Most California homeowners who want a Level 2 EV charger get hit with two costs: the charger itself ($500–$1,000), and a panel upgrade if their existing electrical service can't handle a new dedicated circuit ($3,000–$6,000+). For homeowners in low-income or disadvantaged communities, those costs often kill the project before it starts.
NeoCharge is participating in a pilot funded by the California Energy Commission to remove that barrier. Approved participants receive a free Autel AC Lite Level 2 home charger, a free NeoCharge Energy Monitor, free professional installation by a licensed electrician via our Treehouse partner network, and $100 cash — $50 when you enroll, $50 when the project completes.
The Energy Monitor installs on your existing main breaker without rewiring (CT clamp), then streams every-circuit energy data into the NeoCharge mobile app. NeoCharge's installation approach specifically avoids the $3,000–$6,000 panel upgrade cost — using your existing 240V circuits intelligently. About 80% of California participants avoid a panel upgrade entirely.
In return, you allow NeoCharge to collect anonymized energy and charging data through December 2026 — that's the grant requirement that makes the program possible. Your data is reported to the CEC in aggregate; it's not sold.
Spots are limited. Apply now to check eligibility.
What participants receive (all free for qualifying CA homes).
Free Autel AC Lite Level 2 charger
You receive an Autel AC Lite Level 2 home charger — a compact 40A OCPP-compatible unit that pairs with the NeoCharge app. Yours to keep, permanently.
Free Energy Monitor
The NeoCharge Energy Monitor installs on your existing main breaker via a CT clamp — no rewiring. See every circuit live in the NeoCharge app: EV, solar, appliances, total home draw.
Free professional install
A licensed electrician (vetted via our Treehouse partnership) installs the charger, Energy Monitor, and any necessary low-cost adjustments. NeoCharge's Smart Splitter approach avoids the $3,000–$6,000 cost of a panel upgrade.
Limited spots. Apply now.
Spots in the CEC pilot are limited and granted in application order. Eligibility is checked at apply.
Apply for the pilotREAL CUSTOMERS
What NeoCharge customers say.
No city permits to get, no $15k upgrade to my electric panel! Sheer genius — circuit box couldn't handle another 240V, this was the ideal solution right out of the box.
Saved me from spending $2,100 on an additional 240V circuit. Cut my charging time from 24 hours to 6. Pauses for the dryer, resumes on its own.
Called multiple electricians — minimum was $2,500. A friend recommended this. Worked perfectly right out of the box.
Frequently asked questions about the CEC pilot.
What is the CEC pilot program?
NeoCharge is participating in a pilot funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to make Level 2 EV charging accessible to California homeowners — without the typical $3,000–$6,000 panel upgrade cost. Approved participants receive a free Autel AC Lite Level 2 home charger, a free NeoCharge Energy Monitor, free professional installation, and $100 cash ($50 at enrollment, $50 at project completion). Spots are limited.
Who qualifies for the CEC pilot?
To participate, you must:
- Own or lease an electric vehicle (or have one on order)
- Live in a low-income or disadvantaged community in California
- Own your home or have landlord approval for electrical work
- Have an accessible electric panel approved by Treehouse (our installer partner)
- Be willing to use the NeoCharge mobile app
- Be a customer of SDG&E, PG&E, or SCE
Eligibility is checked when you apply.
What does it cost?
Nothing for the hardware (Level 2 charger + Energy Monitor) or professional installation, for qualifying participants. NeoCharge also pays you $100 cash — $50 at enrollment, $50 when the project completes. The pilot is grant-funded by the California Energy Commission.
Which Level 2 charger do I get?
The Autel AC Lite — a compact 40A Level 2 home charger that's OCPP-compatible (works with the NeoCharge app and other open-protocol charging networks). Indoor/outdoor mountable. It's yours to keep permanently — it doesn't get returned at the end of the pilot.
What's the data-collection requirement?
Through December 2026, you allow NeoCharge to collect anonymized circuit-level energy data from the Energy Monitor and charging session data from the Level 2 charger. This data is what makes the pilot grant-fundable — it helps the CEC understand how to scale low-cost EV charging across California. Your data is not sold; it's reported to the CEC in aggregate.
What does the Energy Monitor do?
It installs on your existing main breaker via a CT (current transformer) clamp — no rewiring required. Once installed, you see real-time and historical energy use for every circuit in your home in the NeoCharge mobile app: appliances, solar generation and self-consumption, EV charging, and total home draw. Pairs with NeoCharge's smart-scheduling features to lower your monthly utility bill.
What if my panel needs an upgrade?
The pilot is specifically designed to avoid panel upgrades. NeoCharge's approach uses your existing 240V circuits intelligently — typically pairing the Level 2 charger with a Smart Splitter approach so you don't need a new circuit, a new breaker, or a service upgrade. About 80% of NeoCharge customers in California avoid the panel upgrade entirely. If your panel doesn't have an accessible spot for the Energy Monitor's CT clamp, Treehouse will let you know during the application review.
Why do I need to use the NeoCharge app?
The app is what ties the Level 2 charger, the Energy Monitor, and the smart scheduling together. You'll use it to schedule charging into low-rate hours (saving on your bill), see your energy usage, and (during the pilot) contribute the anonymized data the CEC pilot requires. The app is available in English and Spanish, free for the duration of the pilot.
How do I apply?
Click any 'Apply for the pilot' button on this page. You'll go through a quick eligibility check (utility, address, vehicle, panel access), then schedule a Treehouse pre-install review. Spots are limited — apply early.
Free EV charger. Free install. $100 cash.
California Energy Commission pilot — for qualifying SDG&E, PG&E, and SCE customers in low-income or disadvantaged communities.
Apply for the pilot