Salt River Project (SRP) is offering several rebates and incentives to homebuilders, businesses and residents in the Phoenix region to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles and charging technology. 

It’s part of the utility’s goal to enable 500,000 electric vehicles in its service area by 2035, said Terry Rother, senior program manager for SRP’s Product Development Group. 

In addition, SRP is working with partners to increase the number of charging stations Valleywide to reduce “range anxiety” for EV drivers.  

“All these programs combined are trying to reassure EV customers that by purchasing an EV you’re not going to be stranded without an ability to charge,” he said. “Range anxiety is one of the biggest fears for EV drivers and having the ability to charge at your workplace, at your home, at a shopping center, reduces that barrier.”

Here’s a looks a rundown of rebates and incentives now available:

For businesses and housing builders

Incentives for builders to prewire homes for EV charging As part of SRP’s ENERGY STAR Homes program, SRP announced this month that builders can receive a $300 incentive for each home wired for electric vehicle charging. They also can receive marketing support to advertise these communities to potential buyers. This incentive cuts the cost roughly in half for homebuilders’ EV wiring installation.

Homes pre-wired for EVs will be able to accommodate Level 2 EV charging which can recharge electric vehicles twice as fast as Level 1 charging. Level 2 charging also supports the most advanced charging technology available, including smart chargers and Amazon Alexa-enabled charging. 

Homebuilders interested in learning more about this program may visit: . 

Business EV charger rebate: SRP also is continuing to offer $1,500 rebates for each networked EV charging port that SRP commercial customers install at their businesses as long as charger ports meet all program requirements. Business customers can take advantage of this rebate on each qualifying port they install, and this includes apartment complexes, retail complexes, educational facilities, casinos, hotels and motels, workplaces and other SRP business customers. 

To receive the rebate, the equipment must be installed before April 30, 2021 and customers must apply for the rebate before July 31. For more information, visit: 

For residential customers 

For residential customers thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, now is the time to do it, said Catherine O’Brien, SRP’s electric vehicle lead. 

Not only is SRP offering rebates on the purchase of EV vehicles and chargers, the federal government is continuing to offer a of up to $7,500 for many plug-in cars, she said.

Here are rebates and incentives SRP is offering residential customers:

$1,000 rebate for Valley drivers SRP has a pilot program that is offering a $1,000 to residential customers who lease or purchase any new battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from Valley-based car dealerships until the end of the year or until funds are depleted. 

$250 smart charger rebate  Residential customers can receive $250 rebate for purchasing a residential Level 2 smart charger from , a discount of more than 30 percent. 

Price saving plan for EV owners is available to EV owners to lower their home energy costs by charging their vehicle during “super” off-peak hours, between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

Price saving plan for rooftop solar customers For rooftop solar customers with EV vehicles, SRP offers an to reap more energy cost savings when charging EVs and using energy from the grid during lower-priced, off-peak hours.  

Gift card for customers who sign up EV drivers who are SRP customers are also invited to join the SRP EV Community to help SRP improve its EV charging price plans and other EV programs. Customers who participate get special offers and a $50 Amazon gift card just for signing up at: 

Three builders creating EV communities

Starting as early as 2023, several cities across the Valley will begin requiring new homes to be built with EV wiring installed. 

Some homebuilders have already started prewiring homes in partnership with SRP and the city of Glendale including Lennar, Pulte and Taylor Morrison. 

SRP is role model for EV in workplace 

In addition to promoting EVs to customers, SRP also has been installing EV chargers at its work sites. Currently, it is the state’s largest workplace charging program in the state, earning a spot on the list of the “” by GreenBiz, O’Brien said. 

Close to 200 employees drive plug-in vehicles and SRP’s goal is to increase that to 450, or about 7 percent of its workforce, over the next five years, she said.

“By supporting these types of rebates and incentives and furthering the adoption of these programs, we know the benefits will be to improve air quality by reducing greenhouse emissions and save customers money on vehicle maintenance costs by switching from gas powered to electric,” O’Brien said.

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Members of Arizona’s congressional delegation updated the business community on legislation important to industry and commerce last week at the annual Update from Capitol Hill presented by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Salt River Project. 

The most discussed topic was the proposed fourth round of federal COVID-19 relief funding that has stalled in Congress.

Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D) and Martha McSally (R) both expressed their frustration with the process and vowed to continue to fight to break the deadlock. 

But it may not happen before the election, leaving those most in need behind. 

“This isn’t a game to me, because all across our state and across my neighborhood, people are struggling and still need relief,” McSally said. 

Sinema said she was disappointed that the White House and Congress are unable to compromise “when so many Arizonans are in need.”

“Partisan bills that won’t pass won’t move us any closer,” Sinema said. 

COVID-19, tourism, immigration, climate change among top concerns 

The two senators and seven of the state’s nine representatives “zoomed” in to give updates and answer questions virtually at the event. 

About 450 participants tuned in to hear what Arizona’s federal lawmakers are championing in Congress.

Representatives who also spoke at the event were Raúl Grijalva (D), David Schweikert (R), Paul Gosar (R), Tom O’Halleran (D), Andy Biggs (R), Debbie Lesko (R), and Greg Stanton (D). 

They detailed current and upcoming legislation and proposals for issues important to Arizona: immigration and trade, military and veterans, forest health and climate change, new interstate highways, modernization of ports of entry, broader access for Mexican tourists to visit Arizona, and the national deficit.

They also discussed the status of the CARES Act and a new round of funding for those who are still struggling from COVID-19 shutdowns. 

Standoff over another round of relief 

As intended, the CARES Act that was passed in March, has helped citizens, businesses, schools and governments in Arizona survive the financial shutdowns.  

The Act has saved over 85,000 businesses and over 1 million jobs here, McSally said. 

Now, another, more targeted round is needed to help those who are starting to be left behind, she said.  

But unlike the first three rounds of relief funding, the divide between the two houses is stalling progress.

Wide divide between “skinny” and “fat” pandemic relief bills

Currently, there’s a huge gap when it comes to funding a package.  

Two weeks ago, Democrats blocked a Republican-backed “skinny” $300-billion package that targets those most in need while taking into account the nation’s soaring debt, now over $27 trillion. 

Democrats are expected to present a $2.2 trillion package to the White House this week. 

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has indicated he would be comfortable with a $1.3 trillion package, according to by Reuters on Friday. 

If a compromise can be reached, a new CAREs package most likely would include:

• Renewed Paycheck Protection Program funding for industries hardest hit by COVID-19 including restaurants, tourism and travel. 
• Expanded unemployment benefits. 
• A new round of direct checks to Americans. 
• Personal Protective Equipment for schools, nonprofits, healthcare providers and others.
• COVID-19 testing and research.
• Funding for education, low-income students and rural broadband access. 
• Liability protection from frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits against businesses.
• Rent, mortgage and utility relief.

Arizona’s delegation champions for residents and businesses 

In closing, Chamber President and CEO Glenn Hamer thanked Arizona’s entire delegation for working across the aisle in the best interests of the state. 

While their political differences can be stark, he said, they have come together repeatedly to pass historic legislation like the Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan to protect Arizona water supplies and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that allows a border state like Arizona to tap into the largest free trade bloc in the world.

“We really appreciate how our very diverse political delegation works well together. I think it gives great hope to not only the state but the country,” he said. 

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