I understand the meter doesn't affect load management and the main variable is how the utility handles billing. For anyone who has done this before, did you have to request a separate EV rate plan or did the utility automatically offer it after the new meter was installed?
In any I've installed (3-Phase and Single Phase services), the meter does, indeed, manage the load for charging during non-peak or during low demand hours. The utility sends wireless signals to the meter, telling it what to do at that moment of time. For allowing them to control when the EV charges, the customer gets a lower rate per kW.
It is a separate meter from your general use meter & usually is installed beside the general use meter or at the EWV charging station. (They also offer separate meters & rates for water heaters, air conditioners, electric heat, etc.)
Time of Day Rate-
For Time-Of-Day billing, the meter keeps track of how many kW were used during non-peak hours and how many during peak hours. Our utility has three rates for 3 different times of the day. It is up to the customer to decide when to use what electrical device.
If you want to charge by Time of Day Rate Plan at low rate times with no intervention; I suppose one could find out when the kW rate is lowest and set up a timer on your circuit to only let it be energized during those hours. It will get a bit expensive to set up a 50 amp timer or a timer and contractor
versus letting the utility do their thing for free.
